Wise Owl's Drug Safety Kit

K-Gr 3—Uncle Wise Owl teaches his niece, Wendy, about health and safety. There are three segments: "Is That Good for Me?," "What's a Drug," and What's a Medicine?" Viewers learn to make choices that are good for them including eating nutritious food, exercising, getting adequate sleep, and wearing a bicycle helmet. They also learn why drugs like alcohol and tobacco are bad for children and how to avoid them. The use of good medicines under the supervision of a caring adult is also covered. The Wise Owl segments, presented in simple animation, are interspersed with live-action vignettes using a multiethnic cast of children to show how to overcome peer pressure and make good decisions. There are places in the program to pause for classroom discussion. Since this is aimed at younger children, no hard drugs are mentioned and no information about abusing prescription or OTC drugs is given. The posters reinforce the health and safety messages presented in the video segments. The 5" × 7" cards feature objects or activities and ask viewers whether or not they are "healthy." Questions and discussion prompts are printed on the back of each card. An age-appropriate introduction to making healthy decisions and drug safety.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA