Health Education

Health Topics (Note:  Mindfulness/SEL activities will be incorporated into all Health Classes.) 

Grade 6

• National Health Education Standards – Concepts, Skills, and MS Rubric

• Health & Technology – Researching using valid sources

• Mindfulness and Coping Strategies – understanding the connections for overall health

• Life Skills Training I – Includes both Content and Skills - Self-Image & Character Traits; Conflict Resolution (Bullying/Teasing) & Interpersonal Communications Skills; Myths and Realities of Alcohol/Tobacco/Marijuana; Analyzing Influences; Decision Making; Nutrition; Emotional Health

• Nutrition and food’s effect on the body and brain.

Grade 7

• Review of Health Concepts & Skills 

• Mindfulness and the Brain – strategies for positive social and emotional health

• Components of Health – the connections between Physical, Mental/Emotional, and Social Health

• Life Skills Training II – Includes both Content & Skills - Cause and Effect:  Drug Use and Violence (ATOD); Decision Making; Nutrition; Media Influences; Coping with Anger and Anxiety; Communication skills – social, assertiveness, conflict resolution; Resisting Peer Pressure

• The Environment and its effect/impact to our health

• Fitness - Prevention of Disease – The impact of unhealthy choices on health

Grade 8

• Gratitude, Mindfulness, and Stress-coping strategies – the effects on the brain and body

• Other Important Health Topics: Concussions, Melanoma, Eating Disorders, Depression, Suicide

• Life Skills Training III – Includes both Content & Skills - Drug Abuse-Cause and Effect; Making Decisions; Media Influences; Coping with Anxiety and Anger; Communication skills – social, assertiveness, resolving conflicts; Resisting Peer Pressure.

• Infectious Disease & Prevention

• Growth & Development – Decision-making skills; Communication Skills: refusal, conflict, verbal & non-verbal; Gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, and stereotyping; Protecting your health-STDs and HIV; Anatomy of the Reproductive Systems & related diseases; Healthy and unhealthy relationships.

Assessment

In Middle School, student assessment is based upon meeting the National Health Education Standards (NHES) for both core concepts and the related skills.  The content from the Mass Health Frameworks is incorporated under the Core Concepts Standard, NHES-1.  The National Standards are formally introduced in Grade 6 and reviewed in Grades 7 & 8 at the beginning of each year.  The goal is to help and guide students to develop the knowledge, problem-solving and critical thinking skills they will need to become Health-Literate adults.

The Health rubrics, although based upon the NHES rubrics, have been modified to align with the NRSD format.  A separate rubric with project-specific scoring criteria, the point value for each category, along with the score for the standard(s) being assessed, will be given for each major project.

Students will be assessed in the following categories:

• Projects & Presentations 

• In-class Activities and Assignments

• Group Activity Work