Time Frame:  2 classes

Objective

• Given class notes, the student will be able to identify birth defects that are preventable and the causes of babies born prematurely.

Set

• Journal Entry: “Help me I’m Pregnant”
• Show students how tiny a preemie baby is by weighting common household one to two pound items on a scale.

Materials

• Computers
• Color Printer
• Scale

Background for Teachers

• Multicultural Connections – Every ethnicity has different statistics on prevalence of preventable birth defects. Students will target their pamphlets to certain people groups depending on the birth defect.

• Character Education Principle – Compassion

Instruction

• Review the difference between environmental and genetic birth defects.
• Explain the pamphlet project. Assign Partners.

Activities

• Working in pairs Students will prepare a pamphlet advocating actions that pregnant moms can take to prevent birth defects. Students will use the pamphlet direction sheet for requirements.
• Students will present their pamphlets to the class. The class will take notes on each presentation by filling in the birth defects chart.

Extensions

• Have students write a research paper on a preventable birth defect
• Have a guest speaker from the March of Dimes come and speak to the class

Closure

• What should you avoid when you’re pregnant?
• How does alcohol affect a developing baby?
• How can STD’s affect newborns?
• What is the difference between genetic and environmental birth defects?

Assessment

• Birth Defects Test

Attachments

• Help me I’m Pregnant Journal Entry
• Environmentally Caused Birth Defects Pamphlet
• Birth Defects Blank Chart
• Birth Defects Test

Websites

• Preventable Birth Defects

• Center for Disease Control & Prevention – search for specific defect in search bar

• March of Dimes -search birth defects

• Pictures of some birth defects

Related Lesson Plans

• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
• Pregnancy & Smoking