Standard of Learning

5.5 The student will explain how peers, families, and community groups work together to build a healthy community. Key concepts/skills include:

1. collaborative support for environmental issues;
2. the existence of customs and traditions;
3. promotion of the value of community health and wellness;
4. examination of community health issues;
5. development of community health projects;
6. promotion of volunteerism and community service.

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Understanding the Standard

The student will explain how people of diverse backgrounds can work cooperatively to promote community health and wellness.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

The student will:

• identify people in the community who promote health and wellness. (doctors, nurses, dentists, health teachers, physical education teachers, optometrists, emergency medical technicians, rescue squad personnel, mental health professionals, state and local health departments, etc.)
• describe health projects that promote community health and wellness.
• identify different health customs and traditions in the community.

Sample Lessons

Oral Health Education: Saving Smiles Series- “Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body”
Grades:  4 & 5
Lesson Plan (1) Identify the components of a balanced meal and describe carbohydrates and their impact on oral health. (SOL 4.1b, d ; 5.2b)
Lesson Plan (2) Develop an awareness of community health resources available (SOL 4.5a,b ; 4.6a ; 5.4a,b ; 5.5c,d,e,f)
Lesson Plan (3) Describe the causes of dental diseases including the role of bacterial plaque, and describe how dental diseases can be
prevented. (SOL 4.4b,d ; 5.2a)
Lesson Plan (4) Identify laws related to the purchase of tobacco products and describe the effects of tobacco on oral health and the body. (SOL 4.4b,d ; 5.2a) 
Sponsor: Virginia Department of Health, Division of Dental Health
Contact:  http://www.vahealth.org/teeth/OralHealthEducation.asp (curriculum resources)
Free

Additional Instructional Resources

• Dances of Mexico and the U.S. - http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/LPview?core=7
• Health Department
• Local Bike Clubs
• Local Health Clubs
• Local Hospital
• Parks and Recreation Departments
• School Nurse
• Service Learning
• Volunteer Organizations
• YMCA or YWCA

Assessment Ideas

The student will:

• identify and describe health consequences community members would suffer if the city, town, or county did not offer health services, implement regulations, or distribute health education information.
• list different health customs and traditions in the community.
• create a community health project.

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