Home/School Connection
Dear 3V Families,
Below you will find optional homework assignments. The goal of these assignments are to help facilitate discussions at home about topics that we cover in Health class. These assignments will hopefully promote healthy behaviors, encourage communication, and help you appreciate one another and each other’s points of view.
August Connection
I will see your child for only one semester, you are their teacher for life! :) Connecting with adolescents can be difficult but it is still extremely important. Below are some suggestions you can use to start conversations about the topics we talk about in Health or expand on our lessons at home.
Conversation Starters for this Month
What did you learn from Health class today? Of all the things you're learning, what do you think will be most useful as an adult? (this can work for any class as well.)
How can I support you in school? at home?
If you could travel back in time 3 years, what advice would you give yourself today?
Which of your friends do you think I would like most/least? why?
If you could set one rule for the family that we all have to follow, what would it be?
*additional questions can be found on this link https://youthfirstinc.org/50-thought-provoking-questions-to-ask-your-teen/
I hope you and your student have a great first few weeks of school!
September Connection
For this month's optional homework, you will spend at least one week saying something you appreciate about each other right before bed. It can be as simple as “I really like how you picked up after yourself at dinner today, you are so responsible…” or “You are such a kind person, I enjoy spending time with you…” etc. Your student will then say one thing they appreciate about you back.
Research has found that it makes a positive difference in a teen’s life if just before they fall asleep they think positive thoughts about their day, themselves, or their family.
October Connection
Go grocery shopping with your student and pick out a healthy snack for each day of the week. If financials are an issue, you can plan a healthy meal together. I can find resources to help make this meal possible if you and your family are in need, just email me.
November Connection
Go on a walk with your student or do something active if you are able (bike, hike, run, jog, play on a playground... anything can work if you are up and moving!) If there are physical limits, just do what you can with your student and breath in some fresh outdoor air. While being active/outside, talk about your family's health history. Include how relatives have passed or if the student may have a genetic predisposition to anything. Please remember to tell your child that even if something runs in a family, that does not mean they will 100% get it. It is important to learn about our families medical health history so we can watch for signs of disease and/or take actions on preventing them. If your student is not related to you (foster or adopted) please still talk to them about your family health history. Even if you do not know their genetic predispositions, it is still a valuable conversation to have.
December Connection
Talk about what makes you feel the most respected in a relationship (peer, coworker, friendship, and romantic relationships should all be included in this conversation.) Talk about what boundaries are and how we know when one has been broken (what do you feel) and how do you communicate with someone who breaks your boundaries. Create a list together of what a unhealthy relationship looks like vs. a healthy one.
January Connection
I will see your child for only one semester, you are their teacher for life! :) Connecting with adolescents can be difficult but it is still extremely important. Below are some suggestions you can use to start conversations about the topics we talk about in Health or expand on our lessons at home.
Conversation Starters for this Month
What did you learn from Health class today? Of all the things you're learning, what do you think will be most useful as an adult? (this can work for any class as well.)
How can I support you in school? at home?
If you could travel back in time 3 years, what advice would you give yourself today?
Which of your friends do you think I would like most/least? why?
If you could set one rule for the family that we all have to follow, what would it be?
*additional questions can be found on this link https://youthfirstinc.org/50-thought-provoking-questions-to-ask-your-teen/
I hope you and your student have a great first few weeks of school!
February Connection
For this month's optional homework, you will spend at least one week saying something you appreciate about each other right before bed. It can be as simple as “I really like how you picked up after yourself at dinner today, you are so responsible…” or “You are such a kind person, I enjoy spending time with you…” etc. Your student will then say one thing they appreciate about you back.
Research has found that it makes a positive difference in a teen’s life if just before they fall asleep they think positive thoughts about their day, themselves, or their family.
March Connection
Go grocery shopping with your student and pick out a healthy snack for each day of the week. If financials are an issue, you can plan a healthy meal together. I can find resources to help make this meal possible if you and your family are in need, just email me.
April Connection
Go on a walk with your student or do something active if you are able (bike, hike, run, jog, play on a playground... anything can work if you are up and moving!) If there are physical limits, just do what you can with your student and breath in some fresh outdoor air. While being active/outside, talk about your family's health history. Include how relatives have passed or if the student may have a genetic predisposition to anything. Please remember to tell your child that even if something runs in a family, that does not mean they will 100% get it. It is important to learn about our families medical health history so we can watch for signs of disease and/or take actions on preventing them. If your student is not related to you (foster or adopted) please still talk to them about your family health history. Even if you do not know their genetic predispositions, it is still a valuable conversation to have.
May Connection
Talk about what makes you feel the most respected in a relationship (peer, coworker, friendship, and romantic relationships should all be included in this conversation.) Talk about what boundaries are and how we know when one has been broken (what do you feel) and how do you communicate with someone who breaks your boundaries. Create a list together of what a unhealthy relationship looks like vs. a healthy one.
Have a great summer!
