Unit Descriptions of Health Class

This class is required for students during 7th or 8th grade. The information provided is vital to teenagers and will stress preventative medicine. The philosophy of the curriculum is to emphasize wellness and prevention as well as enable our students to be responsible, informed and capable decision ma!ers. The following units of instruction are included in this course "not necessarily taught in this order#$ %. Physical Health and NutritionThis unit is developed to diet and nutrition, effects of stress upon the body, body systems, weight control, as well as label reading and being a responsible shopper. &e will also cover body systems, their functions and diseases. '. Mental and Emotional Wellness(tudents will learn about adolescent emotional development, the effects of stress and positive ways of dealing with it, as well as getting along with peers, parents and other adults. They will gain an understanding about ways of coping with some of the difficulties which life can present such as dealing with losses from divorce or death. (uicide prevention, respect, pre)udice and discrimination will also be addressed. *. Substance Use and Abuse(tudents will be informed and involved in the responsibility and consequences of personal decision ma!ing in the use and abuse of chemical substances such as alcohol, tobacco, prescription and over the counter drugs and illegal or street drugs. +urrent research and information will be given as well as resistance and refusal s!ills. ,. Human Sexuality and Reproductive HealthThis unit will include gender roles and e-pectations, the adolescent maturation process, the reproductive systems, forming healthy respectful relationships and the role of the family. This unit will emphasize abstinence and the advantages of postponing se-ual involvement. .nformation about se-ually transmitted diseases, including /.012.3(, will be taught4 contraception and se-ual harassment will also be addressed. Topics will be presented in such a manner as to assist the students in basing their decisions upon their personal, family and religious beliefs. 2 letter will be sent home to the parents prior to the /uman (e-uality and 5eproductive /ealth unit, which will occur much later in the semester "this is the last unit taught#. Throughout this course students will also be informed of the various agencies and resources available for health assistance, as well as guidance in determining when such assistance is helpful or necessary. 6n many occasions during this course we will invite guest lectures from groups in the community. The groups that we invite will be relative to the current section we are wor!ing on. (ome of the groups that have been invited to our class in the past are, Thin! 7irst, 6zone /ouse, /25+, +orner 8roup, and 9lanned 9arenthood. .f there are any questions about any of the groups please let me !now as soon as possible. .f you would li!e to volunteer, please let me !now.