Fifth Grade Curriculum Resources
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:
- the relationship between health promotion and disease prevention;
- the connection between nutritional guidelines and weight management;
- strategies for managing stress;
- the importance of exercise and recreation;
- the effects of personal health habits on cardiovascular fitness;
- the importance of developing and maintaining a positive self-image.
Understanding the Standard
The student will identify the benefits of regular exercise and recreational pursuits.
Essential Knowledge and Skills
The student will:
- list examples of exercise and recreational activities.
- explain regular exercise. (exercising for 30 minutes three to five times a week)
- determine the mental and social benefits of regular physical activity. (improves your mood, reduces stress, and is a good way to spend time with family and friends)
- explain the physical benefits of regular physical activity. (improves muscle strength, bone density, flexibility, energy levels, resistance to colds, reduces risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and blood pressure problems)
Sample Lessons
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
Graphing a Healthy Lifestyle
Grade(s): 5
Students will, over a week, record the amount of time they spend sleeping, attending school, watching T.V., exercising and doing homework. At the end of the week the students will graph all of their information and discuss how sleep impacts their learning. The graphs will be used to discuss daily habits and ways to improve overall health.
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=66
Free
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(select HeartPower!)
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
It's Sugar Time!
Grade(s): 5
Good health depends upon many things, including heredity, lifestyle, personality traits, mental health, attitudes, and the environment. Good eating habits for both animals and humans, proper exercise, and a moderate use of sugars can help keep you healthy.
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=233
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 - Balance Benefits
Grade(s): 5
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=956
Free
Nutrition Education - Dietary Guidelines
Grade(s): 5
Students will learn about suggested dietery guidelines and from that 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=955
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
Texas Department of State Health Services: "Anatomy" (Fifth Grade)
Grade(s): 5
The purpose of this lesson is to teach students about the basic structures and functions of the human body and how they relate to personal health.
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/kids/lessonplans/5thgrade.htm
Free
Additional Instructional Resources
- American Heart Association - Jump Rope For Heart (fund-raising activity for AHA - elementary schools) - http://www.americanheart.org
- Benefits of Physical Activity - http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/ataglan.htm
- Exercise and Stress Management - http://stress.about.com/cs/exercise
- Kidnetic.com - Information about fitness, food, fun, and feelings for students, parents, and teachers. E-mail: davenport@ific.org
- Local Health Clubs
- Move Across America: A Patriotic Endeavor - E-mail: paulshimon@yahoo.com
- New York Online Access to Health: NOAH - http://www.noah-health.org
- Project ACES - http://members.aol.com/acesday
Assessment Ideas
The student will:
- write a one-page reflection statement about their activity levels and what influences them to be active.
- list examples of exercise and recreational activities that they enjoy.
- explain the benefits or regular physical activity

