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PRIMARY 1: SOCIAL STUDIES – SECOND TERM | WEEK 5

Updated February 2, 2026Primary 1, Second Term, Social Studies

TOPIC: OVERDOSE – MEANING, CAUSES AND SIGNS

A: TEACHING AND LEARNING MATERIALS

  1. Food portion picture cards.
  2. Empty medicine container.
  3. Pictures showing a sick person.
  4. Safety flashcards.
  5. Pupils’ writing books and pencils.

B: REFERENCE MATERIALS

  1. Scheme of work.
  2. Recommended Social Studies textbook for Primary 1.
  3. Online educational resources.

C: PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE

The pupils have learnt that food, water and properly used medicine can help the body, while harmful or wrongly used substances can cause sickness.

D: PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

  1. Explain overdose in a simple way.
  2. Mention examples of taking too much of something.
  3. State simple causes of overdose.
  4. Mention some signs that a person may be unwell.
  5. State what a child should do if too much medicine is taken.

E: CONTENT

Meaning of Overdose

An overdose means taking more of a substance than is safe or needed. For Primary 1 pupils, an important example is taking too much medicine.

Examples of Taking Too Much

A person may take too much by:

  • eating far more food than needed;
  • drinking too much of some drinks;
  • taking more medicine than instructed.

Causes of Overdose

Overdose may happen when a person:

  1. Takes medicine without adult guidance.
  2. Takes medicine more times than instructed.
  3. Takes someone else’s medicine.
  4. Accidentally swallows medicine.

Signs That a Person May Be Unwell

A person may:

  • vomit;
  • feel weak;
  • become very sleepy;
  • feel dizzy;
  • complain of stomach pain.

What a Child Should Do

If a child takes too much medicine or an unknown substance:

  1. Tell a trusted adult immediately.
  2. Do not hide it.
  3. Do not take anything else unless an adult or health professional says so.
  4. Get medical help quickly.

F: LESSON PRESENTATION

F1: Teachers’ Activities

  1. Explains overdose in simple language.
  2. Gives safe, age-appropriate examples.
  3. Discusses causes of overdose.
  4. Mentions simple signs of sickness.
  5. Explains what pupils should do in an emergency.
  6. Emphasises telling an adult immediately.

F2: Pupils’ Activities

  1. Repeat the meaning of overdose.
  2. Mention examples of taking too much.
  3. State causes of overdose.
  4. Mention signs that someone may be unwell.
  5. State whom they should tell.
  6. Participate in a simple safety role-play.

G: CONCLUSION

The teacher revises the meaning, causes and signs of overdose and corrects pupils where necessary. The teacher encourages pupils never to take medicine by themselves and to report accidents immediately.

H: EVALUATION GUIDE

Pupils should be able to answer the following questions:

  1. What is an overdose?
  2. Mention one way overdose can happen.
  3. Should a child take another person’s medicine?
  4. Mention two signs that a person may be unwell.
  5. What should a child do after accidentally taking too much medicine?
  6. Should the child hide what happened?