Go to our For Teachers page to check out our Lesson Plan Maps, Glossaries and Backgrounders designed specifically for teachers, which detail the order in which the lessons should be taught, and provide background information and additional resources on certain topics about cancer.

Module 1: What is Cancer?

Lesson 1- Cancer: Before & After

15-20 minutes

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Description: This lesson is meant to start and end the cancer unit. Students will first articulate what they know about cancer, and after all the modules (or specific lessons to meet your time frame) have been taught, students will demonstrate their understandings and correct any misconceptions they may have had.

Supplementary Materials (click to download):

Lesson 2- Cells & Cell Division 

40 minutes

Description: Stations and a group discussion help students understand the basics about cells, and how cancer arises with uncontrolled cell division. Since these concepts are the foundation for all other cancer lessons, it is intended to be the first biology lesson taught to students. Cells & Cell Division can either be downloaded for use as a whole class or students divided into stations. 

Supplementary Materials for Stations (click to download):

Supplementary Materials for Whole Class (click to download):

Model both healthy and cancerous cell division using Play-Doh

Model both healthy and cancerous cell division using Play-Doh

Compare different vehicles to different cells in the body

Compare different vehicles to different cells in the body

Lesson 3- Cancer: A Mistake in the Recipe

10-15 minutes

Description: Using the analogy of a cookie recipe, students will develop a basic understanding of the concept of cancer, how cancer cells can make mistakes, and how that affects the rest of the body. 

Module 2: Types of Cancer

Lesson 1- A Model for Leukemia

Compare a healthy patient's blood to a leukemia patient's blood using these candy models  

Compare a healthy patient's blood to a leukemia patient's blood using these candy models  

15-20 minutes

Description: Create models of blood using various candies to represent red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and leukemic cells for students to recognize the difference between healthy blood and leukemic blood

Supplementary Materials (click to download):

Lesson 2- Skin Cancer

30 minutes

Description: Coming soon! Students will participate in a reader’s theater about a group of kids who take a trip to the beach and learn about ways to prevent skin cancer. Students will learn the importance of protecting their skin and eyes when they go outside.

Supplementary Materials (click to download):

  • Sandy Goes to the Beach reader's theater
  • Skin Cancer Quiz

Lesson 3- Lung Cancer & Smoking

25 minutes

Description: Coming Soon! This lesson will teach students about lung cancer and smoking using the analogy of a sponge and dirty water. Students will understand how smoking can lead to lung cancer, and also begin to think about how lung cancer affects someone’s life.

Supplementary Materials (click to download):

Module 3: Cancer Treatment   Options

Lesson 1- Cancer Treatment Garden

30 minutes

Description: Compare cancer in the body to weeds growing in a garden. Discover the effects tumors have on surrounding cells and what can happen if cancer spreads to other parts of the body. Finally, students will come up with ways to treat their "cancer" gardens. 

Supplementary Materials (click to download):

Lesson 2- Chemotherapy & Blood 

15-20 minutes

Students compare candy model "lab samples" from patients before and after chemotherapy 

Students compare candy model "lab samples" from patients before and after chemotherapy 

Description: Students create models of blood using various candies to represent the different cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and cancer cells). After demonstrating the mechanism of chemotherapy, students will examine the differences between cancer patients' blood before and after treatment. 

Supplementary Materials (click to download):

 

 

 

Module 4: Cancer Prevention

Lesson 1- Cancer Prevention & Healthy Habits

30+ minutes

Description: Coming soon! Now that we have covered what cancer is, different types, and how to treat it, students will learn about cancer prevention, developing healthy habits, and living a healthy lifestyle. This lesson covers topics like smoking, UV rays, exercise, diet, sleep, and more, and how they contribute to cancer prevention.

Module 5: Coping and Caring

Lesson 1- Helping Those with Cancer

20+ minutes

Description: Students work in groups using drawing and words to describe how cancer patients may feel and brainstorm ways students can support their brothers, sisters, neighbors, grandparents, and other loved ones who may have cancer. Includes an optional project.

 

 

 

 

Lesson 2- Cancer: Before & After

15-20 minutes

Description: This lesson is meant to start and end the cancer unit. Students will first articulate what they know about cancer, and after all the modules (or specific lessons to meet your time frame) have been taught, students will demonstrate their understandings and correct any misconceptions they may have had.

Supplementary Materials (click to download):

Other Resources

Glossary

This glossary encompasses all the cancer terminology used throughout the lesson plan modules. They include age-appropriate definitions that accompany the lesson plans to further aide kids' learning.

What is Cancer? Word Search

This word search activity sheet utilizes vocab words found in our Glossary to help reinforce the learning of cancer vocabulary. It focuses specifically on general terms related to cells and cancer. While a fun activity, it is also a great way to assess kids' learning.

Cancer Prevention Word Search

This word search activity sheet utilizes vocab words found in our Glossary to help reinforce the learning of cancer vocabulary. It focuses specifically on words related to cancer and cancer prevention. While a fun activity, it is also a great way to assess kids' learning.