Introduction to Health
Students remember that our health is our mind, body, brain, environment, and relationships. There are many things we can and already do to keep our bodies healthy. We read, My Body Is Amazing.
What Makes You Unique?
This lesson celebrates differences and highlights individual needs. We will read Just Ask and learn that we are all different and our bodies might need different things for them to be as healthy as possible. Students identify something that makes them unique.
Feelings and Physical Sensations
Our bodies send us messages called physical sensations. When we notice the sensations it can help us to identify our emotions. You might get a tummy ache when you’re nervous, or a red face when you’re mad. All of our bodies are different so we have to learn to listen to our own bodies.
Coping Camels
Once we’re able to identify our feelings, the next step is learning how to cope, or make ourselves feel happy and calm. Students will brainstorm different coping strategies for various situations and will color calm camels, who help us through the humps and bumps of life! We can’t always control how we feel, but we can control how we take care of our feelings.
Germs vs Soap
This lesson emphasizes the basic behaviors for preventing the spread of germs. We read Germs vs Soap and do a science experiment with soap, water, and pepper to learn about the power of soap! Students finish by creating a poster that encourages their peers to help prevent the spread of germs as a reminder that our individual behaviors impact our community.
To learn more about the immune system, watch this video at home.
Harry's Habits
Habits are behaviors that we do regularly, often without even thinking about. Sometimes they are good, sometimes they are bad. Having healthy, or positive habits help us to have healthy and positive days. Students listen to a story about Harry, analyze his habits, and work in small groups to brainstorm healthier suggestions for Harry.
Harry's Influences
Students are introduced to the idea of positive and negative influences and how they impact our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. We remember Harry’s bad habits and learn more about what, or who, is influencing each of those habits. Students finish by identifying a positive influence in their life and articulating the impact of their influence.
Our Table
Devices and technology are an important and fun tool in our lives. It’s important that we learn how to have a healthy relationship with our devices and that they are used in a way that has a positive influence in our life. We read Our Table to begin a conversation about the impact of media on health. Students then analyze their own media balance and write “family rules” for devices.
Food - Superpowers
Our bodies love when we eat a variety of foods, because different foods do different things for our body. Foods have super powers! Some foods give us energy, some help our muscles or bones stay strong, and others help our immune system work. Students play a matching game where they learn the unique super powers of different foods based on food groups and food colors.
Food Groups
Students identify a food from each food group that they enjoy eating and something in their life that the food helps them accomplish.
Movement
Students learn about the many benefits of movement and physical activity including; strong bodies, a better night’s sleep, increased focus, and a happier mood. We all follow along to a fun dance video and take notice of how we feel after just a few minutes of fun movement. Students finish by drawing and writing their favorite ways to move their bodies inside and outside.
Muscles
This lesson aims to increase body awareness as students notice what it feels like to work their muscles. 2nd graders learn how their muscles grow and make a list of the protein foods and physical activities that they enjoy that keep their muscles strong. We read The Busy Body Book.
To learn more about our muscles, watch this video at home.
Hydration
Our bodies need water in order to feel their best. Students discuss the importance of being hydrated and how to identify if they are dehydrated. We taste test different infused water recipes and students brainstorm different recipes that they might like to try on their own.
Goal Mountain
We consider why it’s healthy to set goals and how having a plan helps us to achieve our goals. We think of goals like climbing a mountain; it’s very exciting when we are at the base, we are often met with struggles along the way, but feel proud when we make it to the top. We read Drum Dream Girl and each student leaves class with a personal goal.
Outdoor Mindfulness
We start every health class with a mindfulness activity, but why? Students learn the health benefits of mindfulness and read a book that shows them how to do mindfulness outdoors. We then go outside and use our senses to guide us through an outdoor mindfulness activity.
Sun Safety
Playing outside has many benefits and we need to make sure we are prepared to be in the sun safely. Students learn to read UV index maps and the sun protection that is needed for outdoor activities.
I Need
For our final health lesson, students reflect back on all that they've learned in their 2nd grade health class and identify what they need to feel their best.
*Lessons may not be taught in the order shown, and some lessons are missed due to snow days, field trips, and other events.