Standard of Learning

5.2   The student will demonstrate responsibility for developing personal health habits and practicing the behaviors that promote an active, healthy lifestyle. Key concepts/skills include:

1. the relationship between health promotion and disease prevention;
2. the connection between nutritional guidelines and weight management;
3. strategies for managing stress;
4. the importance of exercise and recreation;
5. the effects of personal health habits on cardiovascular fitness;
6. the importance of developing and maintaining a positive self-image.

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Understanding the Standard

The student will recognize the warning signs of stress and effectively manage stressful situations.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

The student will:

• define stress. (the reaction to any demand on your mind or body)
• explain how your body reacts to stress. (your body produces adrenaline which is a chemical that prepares your body for quick action – heart beats faster, breathe faster, blood flow to your muscles increases, more sugar goes into the blood, your muscles tense, your palms may get moist)
• describe the dangers of stress. (stress that lasts a long time may cause headaches, stomachaches, fatigue, lessen resistance to disease, etc.)
• list healthy strategies for managing stress:
  • exercise lessens muscle tension, helps you sleep well, and uses up the extra sugar in your bloodstream;
  • talk to your parents;
  • plan your day;
  • do something you enjoy with friends or play with a pet; and
  • get plenty of sleep and eat healthful foods.

Sample Lessons

LifeSkills Training
Grades: K-5
Model substance abuse prevention and competency enhancement program focusing on the major social and psychological factors causing substance use and abuse. Teaches drug resistance skills, personal management skills, and general social skills. Focuses on self-esteem, decision-making, influence of media, stress, communication, and assertiveness issues.
Contact: http://www.lifeskillstraining.com
Cost

Organizational Skills
Grade(s) K-12
Upon completion of this lesson students will understand how to become more organized and will display good time management techniques.  Additionally, students will be able to better handle stress and change.
http://www.daltonstate.edu/faculty/lsweenie/work_ethics
Free

Project Towards No Tobacco Use (TNT)
Grades 5-10
Model program to prevent or reduce tobacco use in youth. Ten core and 2 booster lessons. Includes effective refusal and coping skills; effects of media and advertisers; methods to build self-esteem; and strategies for advocating no tobacco use.
Sponsor: Department of Preventive Medicine, USC
Contact: http://www.etr.org
Cost

Additional Instructional Resources

• Life Skills Programs
• Social & Emotional Health – http://www.pbs.org/teachersource (health & fitness 3-5)
• Stress Management - http://stress.about.com
• Teaching Children About Health, A Multidisciplinary Approach - http://www.morton-pub.com - "Childhood Stress"

Assessment Ideas

The student will:

• explain how your body reacts to stress.
• list healthy test-taking strategies. (plan when you are going to study; get help from your teacher, parents, or friends if you don't understand something; study; get a good night's sleep; eat a good breakfast; and say to yourself several times "I will do well on the test")
• list healthy strategies for managing stress.

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