Standard of Learning

6.1The student will apply critical thinking skills and personal management strategies to address issues and concerns related to personal health and wellness. Key concepts/skills include:

1. the importance of significant friends or adult mentors;
2. the relationship between self-image and gang-related behaviors;
3. the effects of environmental influences on personal health;
4. refusal strategies related to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs;
5. prevention of communicable and noncommunicable diseases.

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Understanding the Standard

The student will understand the effects environmental influences have on personal health.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

The student will:

• define environmental influences. (the physical, social, and cultural conditions affecting the individual's growth and development)
• identify physical environmental influences. (shelter, water, air, land, pollution, food, etc.)
• identify social environmental influences. (family, peers, schoolmates, etc.)
• identify cultural environmental influences. (traditions, norms, expectations, etc.)
• determine how air, water, and noise pollution affects personal health.
• describe how family and peers effect personal health.
• describe how social norms and cultures affect personal health.

Sample Lessons

Charting Mold Growth
Grades: 2-6
Micro-organisms live, grow and reproduce all around us. They are both detrimental and helpful. This activity is designed to show students that they are all around, and that their population growth can be charted based on food supply.
Sponsor: Ask Eric
Contact: http://www.eduref.org (select lesson plans – health – environmental health)
Free

EnviroMysteries
Grades 5-9
Students investigate the connection between where they live and how they feel.
“Breaking the Mold” http://enviromysteries.thinkport.org/breakingthemold/
“Water + ? = Trouble” http://enviromysteries.thinkport.org/watertrouble.html
Sponsor: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Contact: http://enviromysteries.thinkport.org

HeartPower!
Grades: 6-8
Teaches student about the heart and how to keep it healthy. Science-based. Lessons, handouts.
--What or Who Influences Your Food Choices?
Sponsor: American Heart Association
Contact: http://www.americanheart.org (select HeartPower!)
Free

Responding in Peaceful and Positive Ways (RIPP)
Grades 6-8
Model 3-year violence prevention program. Includes importance of significant friends or adult mentors; relationship between self-image and gang-related behaviors; conflict resolution; and effects of environmental influences on personal health.
Sponsor: Virginia Commonwealth University
Contact: ameyer@saturn.vcu.edu
Cost

Tox RAP
Grades K-9
Students understand basic environmental health sciences concepts and make informed decisions to reduce their health risks associated with potential environmental pollutants. Lessons use a risk assessment framework.
‘The Case of the Green Feathers’ (air pollution) Grade 3
‘What is Wrong with the Johnson Family?’ (investigate unexplained health problems) Grades 3-6
‘Mystery Illness Strikes the Sanchez Household’ (simulated health hazard) Grades 6-9
Sponsor: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Contact: http://www.eohsi.rutgers.edu/rc/toxrap/index.htm

Additional Instructional Resources

• Environmental Health - http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/home.htm
• Environment and Human Health - http://health.usgs.gov
• Environmental Protection Agency - http://www.epa.gov
• Local and State Environmental Agencies (recycling and litter prevention educators)
• Parks and Recreation Departments
• World Health – http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/(health & fitness 6-8)

Assessment Ideas

The student will:

• research the effects of environmental influences in different countries have on personal health.
• identify at least two physical, social and cultural environmental conditions or influences that affect health.

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