The students in the 9th grade health class are primarily white with a lower to middle class socio-economic level in rural area (although the DOE classifies the school as urban fringe of a mid-sized city). They don’t really have a town per se without driving 20 minutes either direction and the city that they are being classified in relation to is a mid-sized city. The class is a freshman Health class with a wide-range of academic abilities and experiences including several students with identified learning disabilities. This necessitates adaptation of some materials and scaffolding at differing levels. As freshman, the students will have some experience with research in the past on a differing level and an understanding of the health standards. Indiana Health standards are all based on the same standards with the expectations that as students mature the depth of their understanding will increase. Similarly they will mature as information scientists as discussed by Callison and Lamb. The depth of their questioning and exploration will deepen as they learn new ways to question. Because as freshman we often do not know the level of inquiry they have previously experienced we will begin with a focus on question development and the process of inquiry overview.
Some of the students in this class are reluctant to fully engage in school activities and have had failures in the past. Healthy living is seen somewhat as less important than other areas of life and a control issue. It will be important to engage them with meaningful dialogue about why nutrition is important and that all things in moderation with a focus on main nutritious foods that they are already eating as well as types of activity that they already engage in that are the physical fitness piece in many instances. Hiking, hunting, fishing, skateboarding, and other activities need to be highlighted as possible physical activities that will keep one healthy. Connecting with where they are in their eating habits and ways to improve those without giving up everything will also be key. |