Welcome to Health and Wellness

6th Grade: Essential Health Concepts

6.1    The student will apply critical-thinking skills and personal-management strategies to address issues and concerns related to personal health and wellness.

1. Identify and describe the major structures and functions of the urinary system (kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra) and strategies to promote renal health.
2. Analyze the recommended daily intake of macronutrients (carbohydrates, fat, and protein) for adolescent males and females.
3. Compare the intake of nutrients and metabolism.  
4. Assess the effects of communicable and noncommunicable diseases on the functions of the body.
5. Differentiate between proper use and misuse of prescription and nonprescription medications.
6. Evaluate refusal strategies related to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use.
7. Determine the effects of environmental influences on personal health.
8. Create strategies to prevent injuries, to include safety habits in vehicles, on the Internet, and in public areas, and using protective gear.
9. Describe basic first aid and emergency procedures for treatment of sunburn and injuries to the head, teeth, and eyes.
10. Identify and interpret nonverbal cues.
11. Describe the possible effects of bullying, to include the increased risk for harm and violence when bullying aggression persists.
12. Explain methods to reduce conflict, harassment, and violence.
13. Explain the myths and facts about gangs and gang-related behaviors.
14. Analyze the relationship between self-image and gang-related behaviors.
15. Recognize the importance of significant friends or adult mentors.

1. Identify personal characteristics that can contribute to happiness for self and others (e.g., self-discipline, positive self-image, independence, acceptance of others, concern for the needs of individuals with disabilities, honesty, respect for self and others, avoidance of self-harming behaviors).
2. Analyze the factors that contribute to group success (e.g., respecting individual differences and opinions, accepting responsibility, contributing positively, knowing when to lead and when to follow, dealing with conflict, using effective face-to-face and online communication skills).
3. Research the impact of air quality on body function during moderate and vigorous physical activity.

7th Grade Essential Health Concepts

7.1    The student will identify and explain essential health concepts to understand personal health.

1. Identify and describe the major structures and functions of the circulatory system.
2. Identify ways to increase daily physical activity.
3. Explain the concept of active transportation (walking and biking).
4. Evaluate the impact of sleep and rest on physical, social, and emotional health and on cognitive performance.
5. Analyze the caloric and nutritional value of foods and beverages.
6. Describe ways to prevent weather- or climate-related physical conditions such as allergies, asthma, sunburn, dehydration, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, and hypothermia.
7. Describe the benefit of eating foods to meet the recommendations for iron, calcium, and fiber.
8. Describe how heredity influences growth and development.
9. Explain the link between addiction to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, chronic disease, and engaging in risky behaviors.
10. Identify consumer protections for health products and services.
11. Analyze how the school and community can affect personal health practices and behaviors, to include access to and availability of physical, emotional, and social health services; emergency response systems; health care products; and recreational and leisure opportunities.
12. Analyze the benefits of stress management and stress-reduction techniques.
13. Recognize harmful and risky behaviors.
14. Identify potential personal safety issues related to being home alone, caring for others, being in the neighborhood and community, and being online.
15. Identify alternatives to gang-related behaviors and acts of violence.
16. Develop strategies for coping with disappointment.
17. Identify physical, social, and emotional factors that affect school success.
18. Identify the benefits of healthy interpersonal relationships.
19. Recognize the impact of difficult family situations on physical, social, and emotional health.
20. Differentiate between passive, aggressive, and assertive communication.
21. Explain how violence, bullying, and harassment affect health and safety.

1. Describe the role of empathy in preventing bullying (in school and online).
2. Describe human activities that contribute to air, water, soil, and noise pollution.

8th Grade Essential Health Concepts

8.1    The student will identify and explain essential health concepts to demonstrate an understanding of personal health.

1. Identify and describe the major structures and functions of the brain and nervous system.
2. Assess the health risks of a sedentary lifestyle.
3. Examine the health risks caused by food contaminants.
4. Identify eating disorders, and describe the dangers of engaging in unbalanced and unsafe diet practices to gain or lose weight.
5. Assess the health risks of not getting enough sleep.
6. Explain the roles of preventive health measures, immunization, and treatment in disease prevention.
7. Analyze the risk factors associated with communicable and noncommunicable diseases.
8. Identify pathogenic, genetic, age, cultural, environmental, and behavioral factors that influence the degree of risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
9. Describe the short- and long-term health issues related to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, including inhalants, marijuana, cocaine, stimulants, methamphetamines, opiates, steroids, and performance-enhancing drugs.
10. Research the signs, symptoms, and causes of addiction.
11. Explain how drugs affect the brain.
12. Describe the relationship between healthy behaviors and cognitive performance.
13. Identify the benefits and risks of social networking.
14. Assess the health consequences of injuries, and identify leading injury-prevention measures.
15. Evaluate the health risks associated with feelings of immortality and invincibility.
16. Identify the consequences of involvement in potentially dangerous situations, such as when weapons, physical violence, and gangs are present.
17. Analyze the role of tolerance and resilience in coping with stress.
18. Explain the impact of failing to recognize issues related to emotional and mental health.
19. Explain why seeking help for mental health issues is important.
20. Describe the signs and symptoms of depression and suicide.
21. Explain how individual, social, and cultural differences may increase vulnerability to bullying.
22. Describe pollutants found in water, soil, and air and their impact on body systems.