Eighth Grade Curriculum Resources
Standard of Learning
8.5 The student will investigate and evaluate ways in which peers, families, and other community groups can work together to build a safe and healthy community. Key concepts/skills include:
- methods used to reduce health hazards and risks;
- the health risks associated with yielding to negative peer pressure;
- practices associated with healthy environments;
- opportunities for community service.
Understanding the Standard
The student will investigate and evaluate methods to reduce health hazards and risks, how health risks are associated with peer pressure, the similarity among practices associated with healthy environments, and the opportunities for community service.
Essential Knowledge and Skills
The student will:
- define quackery. (consumer fraud or deception that involves the practice of promoting or selling useless products or services)
- define quack. (a person who markets inaccurate health-related information, unreliable health care, or useless products or services)
- describe a fad. (something that is very popular for a short period time)
- define peer. (a person in the same age group)
- describe peer pressure. (the influence people of the same age have on one another)
- define ecology. (the study of how living things are connected in the environment)
- describe a health advocate. (someone who chooses actions that protect the environment)
- explain service learning. (an educational experience that combines learning with community service without pay)
- describe shadowing. (spending time with a mentor as a he/she performs work activities)
- define mentor. (spending time with a responsible, trusted person who guides and helps a younger person)
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identify three kinds of health-related quackery:
- weight loss and diet scams;
- unproven medical treatments; and
- unproven medical products.
- investigate health-related products that promote quick fixes or cures.
-
explain environmental protection strategies for individuals and communities:
- stop pollution;
- choose behavior that prevents harmful changes in the atmosphere;
- choose behavior that prevents harmful changes in the climate;
- conserve natural resources; and
- improve living conditions for all.
- list ways to be a health advocate for the environment.
-
describe steps to explore volunteer opportunities:
- list your skills, talents, and interests;
- ask your teacher or guidance counselors about opportunities to participate in service learning; and
-
call or visit organizations for which you would like to volunteer.
Sample Lessons
"Cycle of Addiction"
Grade(s): 6-8
Students will examine the cycle of addiction to drugs and what can be done to prevent it. At the same time they will learn how families and peers influence their decision making.
http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/addiction/
Free
Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE)
Grades: 6-8
Substance abuse prevention program for youth. Teaches youth how to resist peer pressure and live drug and violence-free lives.
Contact: http://www.dare.com
LifeSkills Training
Grades: 6-8
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. Includes self-image, self-improvement, decision-making, anger management, assertiveness, communication, media, and conflict resolution issues.
Contact: http://www.lifeskillstraining.com
Cost
"Peer Pressure"
Grade(s): 6-8
At ages 12 to 14, youths are aware of drugs and may already have been offered or pressured to use drugs by older siblings and friends, or by their own peers. This lesson helps students recognize peer pressure and decide how to refuse drugs.
http://www.acde.org/educate/78plan2.htm
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
Samaritans: "Aggression and Bullying"
Grade(s): 8-10
In this lesson students will be able to appreciate the motivations behind aggressive behavior, and to discuss how to avoid a build up of frustration and an aggressive outburst. These values will be taught by being able to put into practice ways of managing aggression, and dealing with people who bully.
http://www.samaritans.org/pdf/B5AggressionBullying.pdf
Free
Social Emotional Learning Lesson grade(s) 8
Grade: 8
Students will gain an understanding of the novel and make connections between the novel and one’s own experiences.
http://www.dist102.k12.il.us/internal/SELWebPg/COP8KillaMckg.htm
Free
S.O.D.A.T.: "Peer Pressure"
Grade(s): 7-8
At ages 12 to 14, youths are aware of drugs and may already have been offered or pressured to use drugs by older siblings and friends, or by their own peers. This lesson helps students recognize peer pressure and decide how to refuse drugs.
http://www.sodat.org/Lesson%20Plan%207&8.htm
Free
"With a little help from my friends?"
Grade(s): 7-8
To learn that having friends is an important part of growing up, but being in charge of the friendship rather than allowing it to control you is also important. In this lesson students learn to not get caught up in peer pressure.
http://www.acde.org/educate/78plan1.htm
Free
Additional Instructional Resources
- Discover Health
- Health Promotion Wave
- Totally Awesome Health
- World Health – http://www.pbs.org/teachersource (health & fitness 6-8)
Assessment Ideas
The student will:
- brainstorm ways to recognize products that promote claims that could be false.
- list fads both current and in the past.
- explain why some fads may be harmful.
- explain the effect peer pressure has on the popularity of some of the fads.
- list three ways to preserve the environment and conserve our resources.
- plan a “Keep Our School Beautiful” day.
- examine how to improve the visual environment in your school.
- list five service learning opportunities.
