Synopsis:  Students interpret headlines and reports of epidemiological studies that have appeared in the popular press and uncover the tendency to interpret phrases, such as "linked with," "tied to," "related to," and "associated with," as being synonymous with cause.  Students read an article about a mother who believes a drug for treating acne caused her son to commit suicide and begin to appreciate the fundamental distinction between an association and a cause and that associations are not necessarily causal.

All students will develop problem-solving, decision-making, and inquiry skills, reflected by formulating usable questions and hypotheses, planning experiments, conducting systematic observations, interpreting and analyzing data, drawing conclusions, and communicating results.

All students will learn and apply health promotion concepts and skills to support a healthy, active lifestyle.

All students will use health-enhancing personal, interpersonal, and life skills to support a healthy, active lifestyle.

All students will understand and apply the knowledge of sounds, letters, and words in written English to become independent and fluent readers, and will read a variety of materials and texts with fluency and comprehension.

All students will speak in clear, concise, organized language that varies in content and form for different audiences and purposes.

All students will listen actively to information from a variety of sources in a variety of situations.

All students will access, view, evaluate, and respond to print, nonprint, and electronic texts and resources.

All students will demonstrate critical life skills in order to be functional members of society.