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.
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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
Intel Education: "Creative Kids Go Pro"
Grade(s): 6-8
In this lesson students learn about community businesses and service organizations, and choose one to help by producing informational brochures. As a public relations "agency," students assess the needs of their client and produce a brochure that heralds an upcoming event or publicizes the organization’s contribution to the community.
http://www97.intel.com/en/ProjectDesign/UnitPlanIndex/CreativeKidsGoPro/
Free
Intel Education: "Don't Trash the Earth"
Grade(s): 6-8
In this lesson students learn how they can be a part of helping the environment and what their responsibility in doing so is. Students will find a local area where they have places for individuals to place recyclable items. In a final show of social responsibility, student entrepreneurs turn trash into treasure as they divert materials from the waste stream and turn them into attractive merchandise they sell at a holiday business fair.
http://www97.intel.com/en/ProjectDesign/UnitPlanIndex/DontTrashEarth/
Free
Lions-Quest Skills for Adolescence
Grades 6-8
Positive youth development program focusing on social and emotional competencies; good citizenship skills; strong, positive character; drug-free lifestyle; and service to others.
Sponsor: Lions Quest
Contact: http://www.lions-quest.org
Cost
Natural Disaster Recovery
Grade(s): K-12
This lesson teaches students about disaster relief and recovery organizations that work to help the victims of disasters all over the world.
http://lesson-plan-help.suite101.com/article.cfm/natural_disaster_recovery
Free
Volunteering
Grade(s): K-12
In this activity pupils are asked to consider what the beneficial outcomes might be when people voluntarily give their time, expertise or money.
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/supportpack/module.aspx
Free
"Volunteerism"
Grade(s): K-12
To get students to reflect on the power of volunteerism and gain some perspective on the immense impact volunteers make on our economy and society. Students will discuss what they contribute to their own school communities.
http://www.gng.org/pulse/Volunteerism_2A.pdf
Free
What Will I Do This Summer?
Grade(s): 7-12
In this lesson students have the idea of volunteering as an option as a constructive use of their free time over their summer vacation.
http://www.mindoh.com/docs/summer_vacation.pdf
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.
