Course Description

Comprehensive Health

Comprehensive Health Education Units are a cohesive set of four units that will scaffold instruction from one grade level to the next. The units are made up of a blended set of standards and cumulative progress indicators that fully encapsulate the major ideas and themes behind the unit. The incorporation of different standards through major, supporting, and additional concepts provide a greater opportunity for comprehensive health instruction in each unit. Students will begin the year with a Wellness unit that teaches general health skills involving topics such as hygiene, nutrition, and physical activity. Units will then progress to develop decision making skills which will be applied in various situations involving physical activity, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, relationships, interpersonal communication, and character development.

Family Life Education is part of the Health Education program. The lessons are designed to provide students with information about human growth, development, and sexuality, as well as encourage healthy interpersonal relationships, and responsible behaviors that reinforce the values of the family and community.

In addition to content-based knowledge and skills, this curriculum integrates the skills, knowledge, and expertise of the NJSLS Standard 8, Technological Literacy, and NJSLS Standard 9, 21st Century Life and Careers. Twenty-first Century Learning, when used in combination with standards-based content, ensures that students are prepared for success in today’s challenging environment. In this course, students will explore the areas of healthy living, understand the responsibility of developing personal wellness, recognize and respond to emergency situations, support healthy choices made by members of their school and home communities, make healthy food choices, and identify connections between character education and health. Furthermore, students will utilize technology in order to access reliable health information and explore careers related to health and safety.