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Be the Change: Personal Health

Unit of 3 lessons

9th-12th Grade

Subjects:

Arts, Health and PE, Language Arts, Library / Technology, Math, Philanthropy, Science and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view

Lesson 1 :	ART:	Visual Arts
	ELA:	Electronic Text; Expository Writing; Informational Media; Persuasive Techniques; Questioning; Reading; Synthesizing; Teamwork
	PHIL:	Advocacy; Needs Assessment
	SOC:	Be the Change; Business; Communities; Government; Nonprofit
Lesson 2 :	ELA:	Journaling; Reading; Research; Self-Assessment
	PHIL:	Advocacy
	SCI:	Health
	SOC:	Be the Change; Communities
Lesson 3 :	MAT:	Data Collection/Organization; Graphs/Charts/Tables
	PHIL:	Advocacy; Caring/Sharing; Sensitivity; Service; Volunteering
	SCI:	Health
	SOC:	Be the Change; Communities

Unit Purpose:

Students examine their own eating, sleeping, and exercise habits. They compare them to national health standards, and develop plans for improving them. Then they share their learning to promote a healthier community.

Unit Duration:

Five 50-Minute Class Periods, Plus time to develop service-learning plans and actions

Unit Objectives:

The learner will:

analyze his or her eating habits and compare them to the dietary guidelines from one or more government agencies.
examine the school's lunch program and snack options in the building to determine if they are healthy.
advocate for healthy eating through a poster and/or contacting the school administration about offering healthier choices at school.

research information about sleep habits and good health.
discuss and make a commitment to improve sleep habits.

state that regular exercise is an important element in overall health.
differentiate between anaerobic and aerobic exercise.
create a plan to increase personal amount of exercise.
observe types of exercise through a field trip to a gym.
develop a plan to teach younger students about exercise or to engage them in active play.

Service Experience:

Although lessons in this unit contain service project examples, decisions about service plans and implementation should be made by students, as age appropriate.

In lesson one, students create an informational poster or pamphlet to share with schools, after-school programs, and daycare centers. The goal of the piece is to teach youth about healthy choices and/or to ask the administration to offer youth heathy food options at school.

Student work as a team to approach the administration and people responsible for the food program and vending machines at school. They share what they have learned about nutrition and ask the school to provide more healthy options and less junk food.

In lesson two, students think of someone close to them who could benefit from what they’ve learned about the importance of sleep and share it with them.

In lesson three, students form a plan and carry it out to encourage younger students to be more active. This may include a demonstration or performance, making posters, or playing active games with the youth.

Notes for Teaching:

Day Two of Lesson Three includes a visit to an exercise facility. Make arrangements in advance for the field trip. Arrange for someone to meet the class there and provide a tour and information about types of exercise to target different needs. Also arrange for drivers/chaperones and permission forms.

Bibliographical References:

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. "Nutrition in Schools Fact Sheets." These tips help youth organize efforts to get healthier snacks in the school: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/nutrition/pdf/nutrition_factsheet_youth.pdf

Health.gov. "Dietary Guidelines for Americans." http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2010.asp

USDA. "Choose My Plate" Dietary guidelines by food group. http://www.choosemyplate.gov/food-groups/