Sixth Grade Curriculum Resources

Standard of Learning

6.3 The student will describe the connections between mental and physical development as they relate to adolescence. Key concepts/skills include:

the effects of stress;
respect for individual differences;
positive and negative responses to criticism;
the effects of peer pressure;
the effects of bullying;
issues related to body image and weight management.

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Understanding the Standard

The student will explore issues surrounding body image and weight management.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

The student will:

understand the concept of body image.
identify factors that affect perception of body image.
explore methods of determining a healthy weight.
determine body mass index (BMI):
- multiple weight in pounds by 703;
- square height (in inches); and
- divide answer in step 1 by the answer in step 2. The result determines categories of risk. Health risk based on BMI:
- if BMI is under 25, health risk is minimal.
- if BMI is 26-27, health risk is low.
- if BMI is 28-30, health risk is moderate.
- if BMI is 31-34, health risk is high.
- if BMI is 40 or higher, health risk is extremely high.
identify and explain illnesses related to body image and weight management:
- obesity;
- underweight;
- eating disorders;
- anorexia nervosa; and
- bulimia nervosa.
- explain weight management.

Sample Lessons

Body Weight and Body Image Lessons for Adolescents
Grades 6-8
Multidisciplinary, interactive lessons:
--Normal Eating and Exercise
--Eating Volumetrically - Eating More for Less
--Portions Are Out of Proportion
--Food-Mood Connection
--It's the Little Things That Count
--Barbie, Ken, and Action Toys
--Body Image Distortion
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Department of Education
http://www.pde.state.pa.us/food_nutrition

Dying to be Thin Supporting Friends with Eating Disorders
Grade(s): 6-12
In this lesson, students role-play scenarios in which they encounter a friend or acquaintance who may have an eating disorder. Students brainstorm ways to help the friend. Students then create informational brochures with useful information about eating disorder prevention.
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20001121tuesday.html
Free

Dysfunctional Eating
Grade(s): 6
This lesson integrates Health Standard 6 (dysfunctional eating) with Language Arts Standard 7 (imperative writing). It teaches students the dangers of dysfunctional eating. Students create a recipe for a healthy snack and present it to the class both orally and in written format.
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=419
Free

Eating Disorders - Five-Day Lesson Plan
Grades 7-12
Cultural basis for body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness, prejudice, and dieting.
Sponsor: National Eating Disorders Association
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/p.asp?webpage_id=365&profile_id=46
+Cost

Healthy Body Image
Grades 4-6
Age-appropriate lessons to help pre-adolescents develop identity based on inner strength, not appearance. Resist unhealthy cultural pressures related to dieting.
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/p.asp?webpage_id=365&profile_id=46
+Cost

Healthy Colon with Good Digestion and Fiber
Grade(s): 6
This mini-teach lesson is designed for the 6th grade. Students will be introduced to the colon and the relationship it has with the body. Students will learn the process of digestion, the process of the colon, and why fiber is necessary for a healthy diet and a healthy colon.
http://www.iit.edu/~smile/bi9602.html
Free

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

Just for Girls
Grades 6-7
Focuses on healthy eating, coping with stress, self-image, gender, and culture related to self-esteem.
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/p.asp?webpage_id=365&profile_id=46
+Cost

Mission Nutrition
Grades 6-8
Web-based units and lesson plans covering:
--Self-esteem and body image
--Gender
--Media Awareness
-- Healthy Eating (multiple lessons)
--Physical Activity
Sponsor: Dietitians of Canada and Team from Kellogg Canada, Inc.
http://www.missionnutrition.ca/missionnutrition/eng/educators
Free

Nutrition Education - Cooking Methods
Grade(s): 6
The students will understand how a healthy diet and exercise can increase the likelihood of physical and mental wellness through learning different cooking methods.
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=977
Free

Nutrition Education - Dietary Basics
Grade(s): 6
The students will understand how a healthy diet and exercise can increase the likelihood of physical and mental wellness through a quick review of basic dietary guidelines.
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=968
Free

Nutrition Education - Fast Foods
Grade(s): 6
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=971
Free

Nutrition Education - Food Preferences
Grade(s): 6
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=970
Free

Nutrition Education - Labeling
Grade(s): 6
Students will learn how to interpret food nutrition labels and how understanding the labels helps with learning about nutrition.
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=969
Free

Nutrition - Food Pyramid Book and Game: An Educator's Reference Desk Lesson Plan
Grade(s): 2-6
To better understand the food pyramid and healthy food choices students will make a food pyramid and play a game in this lesson.
http://www.eduref.org//cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Health/Nutrition/NUT0005.html
Free

Skating on Thin Ice Examining Eating Disorders and Various Means to Treat Them
Grade(s): 6-12
In this lesson, students research various eating disorders and their treatments. They then create fictional case studies of teenagers suffering from these disorders and synthesize their understanding by writing suggestions for treatment.
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons
Free

What or Who Influences Your Food Choices?
Relationship between healthful food choices and self-concept.
Sponsor: American Heart Association
One class period
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3003165

Additional Instructional Resources

American Psychiatric Association
BMI Calculator and Factors that Affect BMI (calculates BMI) - http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/bmi-for-age.htm
Compulsive Overeating Information - http:///www.something-fishy.org
Eating Disorders for People of Color - http://www.somethingfishy.org/cultural/roles.php
EDReferral.com
Health Department
Health Text
HealthyPlace.com
Local Doctors
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders - http://www.anad.org/site/anadweb/
National Eating Disorders Association - http://www.edap.org/p.asp?WebPage_ID=337
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: BMI Calculator (Adults) - http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bmicalc.htm
National Institute of Mental Health - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
National Mental Health Association - http://www.NMHA.ORG
National Women's Health Information Center: Eating Disorders and Adolescents - http://www.4women.gov/bodyimage
NotMYkid.org
Nutrition Calorie Control - http://www.caloriecontrol.org
School Nurse
Something Fishy Website on Eating Disorders - http:///www.something-fishy.org
Virginia Commission on Youth - http://coy.state.va.us/Modalities2005/contents05.htm

Assessment Ideas

The student will:

calculate body-mass index and daily caloric expenditure.
explain the relationship between food intake and energy expenditure in weight management
identify and explain illnesses related to body image and weight management.
compare and contrast results of BMI to height-weight charts to hip-waist ratio.

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