Standard of Learning

4.4   The student will demonstrate an understanding of health concepts and behaviors that prevent illness and disease. Key concepts/skills include

1. the body's defenses;
2. the spread of germs (viruses, bacteria, and fungi);
3. the difference between communicable and non-communicable diseases;
4. the importance of early detection of health problems;
5. the role of regular physical activity, nutrition, and healthy choices.

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Understanding the Standard

The student will understand how regular physical activity helps to prevent illness.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

The student will identify or describe the mental and physical benefits of regular physical activity:

• makes your heart and muscles strong;
• helps you manage your weight;
• increases your bone density and the proper release of growth hormones;
• helps you relax and sleep better;
• gives you something fun to do with your family and friends;
• produces feelings of well-being by regulating brain hormones (endorphines, adrenaline, etc.) that reduce anxiety and stress;
• helps to improve your heart-lung efficiency and blood flow to the brain, which improves concentration, memory, etc., so you are more likely to get good grades;
• helps to coordinate the right and left sides of the brain which is essential to learning how to read, do math, etc.;
• helps to prevent heart disease, cancer, and diabetes; and
• helps the body fight off pathogens (germs).

Sample Lessons

BAM! Body and Mind> Teachers' Corner> Active or Not Here it Comes!
The goal of this section is to expand students understanding of physical activity beyond organized sports. By extending their view of physical activity, students will recognize that organized sports (e.g., playing on the football or soccer team), less competitive or personal fitness activities (e.g., swimming with friends or weight training), lifetime sports (e.g., golfing or walking), and some everyday activities (e.g., walking their dog, dancing to their favorite song, or mowing the lawn) are all forms of physical activity. As student's understanding grows, they will determine that they already participate in physical activities to some extent and gain confidence to expand upon their activities.
Sponsor: Center for Disease Control
http://www.bam.gov/teachers/activities/active_or_not.htm
Free

Caloric Burning Activities
Grade(s): 4
Students will use problem solving, decision making and basic math skills to calculate calories used during different activities.
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=103
Free

Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH)
Grades 3-5 (Hearty Heart and Friends - 3rd grade; Go For Health - 4th and 5th grades; and Facts for 5 - 5th grade)
*Evaluated program with mixed results
Coordinated effort between classroom, cafeteria, and physical education to decrease fat, saturated fat, and sodium in students' diets; increase physical activity; and prevent tobacco use.
Sponsor: Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH)
http://www.sph.uth.tmc.edu/chppr/catch/ and http://www.flaghouse.com
+Cost

Eat Well and Keep Moving
Grades 4-5
*Evaluated program
Comprehensive program to increase physical activity, increase fruits and vegetables, decrease fat, and decrease television viewing. Children learn as they move. Includes 44 lessons, CD-ROM to customize lessons, worksheets, school campaigns, and reproducible materials.
Sponsor: Harvard University
http://www.humankinetics.com
+Cost

Fit For Life: An Educator's Reference Desk Lesson Plan
Grade(s): 4
This lesson will make students more aware of the importance of a wellness lifestyle. It will also make them aware of they things the can do to develop a wellness lifestyle.
http://www.eduref.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Health/Nutrition/NUT0001.html
Free

Food Intake and Physical Activity
Grade(s): 4
Students graph their estimations of caloric intake and caloric expenditures.
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=159
Free

Go The Extra Mile
Grades K-4
Students become the physical trainers for their parents. Goal for each student is to log one mile a day.
Five-week program
Sponsor: CDC Funded
E-mail: jon.hisgen@dpi.state.wi.us

The Great Body Shop
Grades preK-6
Evaluated program
Encourages students to make life-long healthy choices including healthy nutrition and physical activity. Comprehensive health education program. Topics include:
--Critical thinking
--Life skills
--Health values
Available in English and Spanish; parent bulletins in seven languages
Sponsor: The Children's Health Market
http://www.thegreatbodyshop.net
+Cost

Healthy Weights for Healthy Kids
Grades 3-6
Addresses healthy eating, physical activity, and positive body image for children. Discusses healthy food, drink, and snack choices; physical activity options; and positive body image.
Sponsor: Virginia Cooperative Extension
Contact Local County Extension Office
Free

HeartPower
Grades 3-5
Teaches students about the heart and how to keep it healthy. Includes physical activity, nutrition, and living tobacco-free. Science-based.
--Healthy-Heart Menus Quick Activity (Children create a one-minute television feature called "The Healthy-Heart Minute.")
--Target: No Smoking Game
--A Bunch of Reasons Not to Smoke Quick Activity
--Stand and Deliver Game
--What Does the Heart Do? - lesson idea
--How Does Blood Circulate? - lesson idea
--How Do Foods Help Our Bodies? - lesson idea (Encourages students to eat a variety of healthy foods. Describes various nutrients.)
--How Do You Choose Snacks and Other Foods? - lesson idea (Discusses factors influencing why students choose the foods they do. Activity sheets.)
--How Does Physical Activity Help You? - lesson idea (Discusses factors that influence students' choices about physical activity.)
--How Can You Stay Fit? - lesson idea (Discusses peer influences on personal health decisions related to fitness. Discusses heart-healthy fitness. Activity sheet. "What's Your Activity IQ?")
--"Smoking in the Cellar" - lesson idea
--Label the Heart's Parts - activity sheet
--What's in Foods? - activity sheet
--Be Choosy! - activity sheet
--Rate that Snack! - activity sheet
Sponsor: American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org
Free

Heart Power
Grade(s): K-4
This tag game is used to reinforce three important ways to keep your heart healthy.
http://www.pecentral.org/lessonideas/ViewLesson.asp?ID=5848
Free

Interactive Heart Rate Worksheet
Grade(s): 4-5
This interactive worksheet is meant to teach students basic facts about the heart, how to find target heart rate, and the importance of aerobic exercise. A secondary purpose of this lesson is to give students more experience using the computer.
http://www.pecentral.org/lessonideas/ViewLesson.asp?ID=4874
Free

Let's Get Moving!
Grades 4-5
Students consider different forms of physical activity; track exercise; and compare with other children throughout the US. Keep daily log for 1-2 weeks.
Three class periods:

• Keeping a Physical Activity Log
• Classroom Comparison of Activities
• Family Fitness Sponsor: Michigan State University
  http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/letsnet/noframes/subjects/health/b8u4.html
  Free

Nutrition Education - Choices
Grade(s): 4
In this lesson students will learn how food, exercise and weight control are important.
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=953
Free

Nutrition Education - Important Vitamins and Minerals
Grade(s): 4
The students will understand how a healthy diet and exercise can increase the likelihood of physical and mental wellness by learning about key vitamins and minerals.
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=949
Free

Nutrition Education - Nutritionally Well
Grade(s): 4
The students will understand how a healthy diet and exercise can increase the likelihood of physical and mental wellness because nutrients affect growth and well-being.
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=951
Free

Nutrition Education - Vitamins and Minerals
Grade(s): 4
The students will understand how a healthy diet and exercise can increase the likelihood of physical and mental wellness.
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=959
Free

Nutrition Station Circuit
Grade(s): 3-5
The purpose of this lesson plan is to have the kids review and understand the different fitness concepts along with different basketball skills.
http://www.pecentral.org/lessonideas/ViewLesson.asp?ID=5786
Free

The SPARK Programs (Sports, Play and Active Recreation in Kids)
Grades preK-8
*Evaluated program with mixed results.
Program to increase physical activity within and outside of school. Includes materials for PE and non-PE teachers. Special teacher training required.
Sponsor: San Diego University
http://www.sparkpe.org
+Cost

Take 10!
Grades K-5
*Evaluated program
Yearlong classroom-based physical activity program. Students do 10 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activities throughout the day. No special equipment or space needed. Students track activity. Materials include activity cards, student worksheets (sorted by curriculum), teacher resources, posters, stickers, teacher video, and evaluation tools.
Sponsor: International Life Sciences Institute
http://www.take10.net/funforstudents.asp
+Cost

Additional Instructional Resources

• Refer to the physical education SOL strand - physically active lifestyle.
• American Heart Association - Jump Rope For Heart (fund-raising activity for AHA - elementary schools) - http://www.americanheart.org
• Healthfinder - http://www.healthfinder.gov
• Health Web - http://healthweb.org
• Kidnetic.com - Information about fitness, food, fun, and feelings for students, parents, and teachers. E-mail: davenport@ific.org
• Move Across America: A Patriotic Endeavor - E-mail: paulshimon@yahoo.com

Assessment Ideas

The student will:

• list four ways regular physical activity helps to prevent illness and improves brain function and quality of life.
• list four physical activities that make your heart muscle strong.
• list four physical activities that make your bones strong.
• list four physical activities that make your muscles strong.

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