HEALTHY AND BALANCED LIVING
The Health Curriculum helps students to develop physical, mental, emotional and social attitudes and skills, through a comprehensive, integrated and sequenced program. The purpose of health education is to empower students to become informed about health and fitness, evaluate opportunities and challenges, choose appropriate behaviors and develop positive attitudes that promote lifelong wellness.
All students at Jared Eliot Middle School take health class a few times per week, alternating between A and B Days in 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. Students are graded on a variety of assessments, such as classwork, participation, following classroom expectations, group work, and quizzes.
Fifth Grade
Students will be exploring various concepts related to Personal Health such as; Hygiene, Germs, Cold and Flu, and Nutrition. Students will also learn the basics of Nutrition and MyPlate.
Sixth Grade
In sixth grade, students will
explore healthy and unhealthy relationships along with how communication plays
a role in student’s lives. Additionally, bullying and violence prevention, an
introduction to puberty, sun safety and ways to prevent certain diseases, nutrition,
how to make healthy choices and the impact these choices have on students’
lives are covered in sixth grade.
Seventh
Grade
In seventh grade, students begin the
year by learning about their values and what is important to them; this is
followed by learning how to make positive and healthy decisions. Students then
explore how to set goals that will impact their daily lives, what types of
things impact the decisions they make, and how to work toward their goals
effectively. During seventh grade, all students participate in the D.A.R.E. Program
with certified educators through the Clinton Police Department. This program runs
for approximately ten weeks and covers topics including substance abuse and
underage drinking. Also included in the seventh-grade curriculum is education about
body image, nutrition, and disease prevention.
Eighth
Grade
In eighth grade, students will
continue to deepen their understanding of human growth and puberty by exploring
the male and female reproductive systems.
Building on this, students then learn about abstinence, contraception,
safe sex practices and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Students in this
grade also explore stress management techniques, good decision-making skills,
and refusal skills and are educated on mental health, disease prevention and the
importance of sun safety.
Philosophy of Healthy and Balanced Living
The Healthy and Balanced Living Curriculum will develop physical, mental, emotional and social attitudes and skills, through a comprehensive, integrated and sequenced program in health and physical education. The purpose of health and physical education is to empower students to become informed about health and fitness, evaluate opportunities and challenges, choose appropriate behaviors and develop positive attitudes that promote lifelong wellness.
We further believe that:
- Integrated and congruent health and physical education programs advance an understanding and commitment to ongoing fitness and wellness.
- The health and well-being of students significantly influences learning and academic achievement.
- Students who are able to identify and develop their own attitudes and values associated with leading a healthy lifestyle are better equipped to make personal and socially responsible decisions.
- Knowledge and decision-making are two critical factors that affect the achievement and maintenance of a healthy and active lifestyle.
- Students who are able to demonstrate respect for themselves and for others are well placed to contribute effectively to home, school, work and community life.
- Experience in fundamental movement skills in the early years of schooling supports the development of more specific skills in later childhood and participation in sport and recreation as lifelong pursuits.
- Students who participate in physical activity, games, sport, dance and outdoor recreation develop confidence, self-esteem, leadership and emotional maturity.
- Effective interpersonal and communication skills are essential for participation in society.
Goals of Healthy and Balanced Living
As a result of this preK-12 Healthy and Balanced Living Program, students will:
1. Demonstrate competency in motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities.
2. Demonstrate understanding of movement concepts, principles, strategies, and tactics as they apply to the learning and performance of physical activities.
3. Participate regularly in physical activity.
4. Use fitness concepts to achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical fitness.
5. Exhibit responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and differences among others in physical activity settings.
6. Understand the value of how physical activity provides for health, personal enjoyment, challenge, selfexpression and social interaction.
7. Demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance health.
8. Demonstrate the ability to use goal-setting skills to enhance health.
9. Comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention.
10. Demonstrate the ability to access valid information, products, and services to enhance health.
11. Demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors to reduce health risks.
12. Analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology, and other factors on health behaviors.
13. Demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health and help to reduce health risks.
14. Demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family and community health.
Grade 6
I. Wellness & Safety
1. Discuss ways to obtain information about human growth and development from accurate sources
2. Obtain and analyze accurate information about human growth and development
3. Explain the relationship between positive health behaviors and prevention of injury, illness, disease and premature death
4. Describe the interrelationship of mental, emotional, social and physical health from pre-adolescence through adulthood
5. Describe and evaluate the impact of personal health behaviors on the functioning of body systems.
6. Examine how families, peers and the environment can influence personal health
7. List and explain how personal strategies and preventive health care can prevent/reduce risks and promote well-being
8. Identify and discuss causes, modes of transmission, symptoms and prevention methods of communicable and non-communicable diseases (ex-HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, diabetes, cancer, heart disease)
9. Recognize and describe how pathogens, family history, individual decisions and other risk factors are related to the cause or prevention of disease and other health problems
10. Describe the physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty
11. Describe puberty and human reproduction as it relates to medically accurate comprehensive sexuality education
12. Understand the types and effects of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs on overall health
II. Decision Making
1. Explain, discuss and explore the steps of the decision-making process
2. Identify influences on decision-making, such as family, school, peers, and community
3. Predict how decisions regarding health behaviors have consequences for themselves and others
4. Identify long- and short- term goals to develop a healthy lifestyle
III. Social and Emotional Development
1. Recognize and explain how media and technology influence personal health behaviors
2. Describe and examine the influence of family beliefs and cultural beliefs on personal health behaviors
3. Explain how family school and peers influence personal health
4. Identify and explain how the media may influence behaviors and decisions in regard to sexuality
5. Demonstrate characteristics needed to be a responsible individual within their peer group, school, family and community
6. Identify ways in which emotions may affect communication, behavior and relationships
7. Compare and contrast health ways to express needs, wants and feelings
8. Demonstrate ways to communicate care, empathy, respect and responsibility for others without bias, abuse, discrimination or harassment based on, but not limited to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, marital status, intellectual disability, mental disorder and learning and/or physical disability
9. Demonstrate avoidance, refusal and negotiation skills to enhance healthy relationships
10. Identify and examine the possible causes of conflict among youth in schools and communities
11. Demonstrate strategies used to prevent, manage and resolve conflict in healthy ways and identify adults and peers who assist, when appropriate
Grade 7
I. Wellness & Safety
1. Describe, examine and evaluate factors that may influence the selection of health information, products and services
2. Obtain and analyze accurate information about human growth and development
3. Explain the relationship between positive health behaviors and prevention of injury, illness, disease and premature death
4. Describe the interrelationship of mental, emotional, social and physical health from pre-adolescence through adulthood
5. Describe and evaluate the impact of personal health behaviors on the functioning of body systems
6. Examine how families, peers and the environment can influence personal health
7. Identify and discuss causes, modes of transmission, symptoms and prevention methods of communicable and non-communicable diseases (ex-HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, diabetes, cancer, heart disease)
8. Define abstinence, explain the value of postponing sexual activity, and identify the methods of contraception and the effectiveness of each
9. Understand the implications of trust, communication skills, decision making skills, self-image and family on the use of substances of abuse
II. Decision Making
1. Explain, discuss and explore the steps of the decision-making process
2. Apply and demonstrate the decision-making process
3. Identify influences on decision-making, such as family, school, peers, and community.
4. Predict how decisions regarding health behaviors have consequences for themselves and others
5. Identify long- and short- term goals to develop a healthy lifestyle
III. Social and Emotional Development
1. Recognize and explain how media and technology influence personal health behaviors
2. Explain how family, school and peers influence personal health
3. Identify and explain how the media may influence behaviors and decisions in regard to sexuality
4. Practice and apply effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills as a means of enhancing health
5. Compare and contrast health ways to express needs, wants and feelings
6. Demonstrate ways to communicate care, empathy, respect and responsibility for others without bias, abuse, discrimination or harassment based on, but not limited to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, marital status, intellectual disability, mental disorder and learning and/or physical disability
7. Use communication skills to build and maintain healthy relationships
8. Demonstrate avoidance, refusal and negotiation skills to enhance healthy relationships
9. Identify and examine the possible causes of conflict among youth in schools and communities
10. Demonstrate strategies used to prevent, manage and resolve conflict in healthy ways and identify adults and peers who assist, when appropriate
Grade 8
I. Wellness & Safety
1. Analyze and evaluate the validity of health information and the cost to make personal selection of health products and services
2. Obtain and analyze accurate information about human growth and development
3. Explain the relationship between positive health behaviors and prevention of injury, illness, disease and premature death
4. Describe the interrelationship of mental, emotional, social and physical health from pre-adolescence through adulthood
5. Describe and evaluate the impact of personal health behaviors on the functioning of body systems
6. Examine how families, peers and the environment can influence personal health
7. Identify and discuss causes, modes of transmission, symptoms and prevention methods of communicable and non-communicable diseases (ex-HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, diabetes, cancer, heart disease)
8. Describe puberty and human reproduction as it relates to medically accurate comprehensive sexuality education
9. Define abstinence, explain the value of postponing sexual activity, and identify the methods of contraception and the effectiveness of each.
10. Compare and contrast abstinence to other forms of contraception to reduce risks of disease/unintended pregnancy
11. Discuss the implications of alcohol use on the teenage brain and how it relates specifically to underage drinking. Discuss the use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs as depicted in the media and the effect of the “First Amendment Rights” of freedom of speech
II. Decision Making
1. Explain, discuss and explore the steps of the decision-making process
2. Analyze and evaluate the validity of health information and the cost to make personal selection of health products and services
3. Explain the relationship between positive health behaviors and prevention of injury, illness, disease and premature death
4. Describe the interrelationship of mental, emotional, social and physical health during childhood; develop an appreciation of one's own body
III. Social and Emotional Development
1. Recognize and explain how media and technology influence personal health behaviors
2. Explain how family, school and peers influence personal health
3. Identify and explain how the media may influence behaviors and decisions in regard to sexuality
4. Practice and apply effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills as a means of enhancing health
5. Analyze situations and demonstrate healthy ways to express needs, wants and feelings
6. Demonstrate avoidance, refusal and negotiation skills to enhance healthy relationships
7. Identify and examine the possible causes of conflict among youth in schools and communities
8. Demonstrate strategies used to prevent, manage and resolve conflict in healthy ways and identify adults and peers who assist, when appropriate