Content Area: Health and Physical Education

 

Index: 2.1C Grade 12 CPI 4

 

Standard: 2.1 - Wellness

 

Strand: C - Nutrition

 

Cumulative Progress Indicator: 4 -  The student will analyze and evaluate how healthy and unhealthy eating patterns impact the functioning of the human body, including healthy bone development and immune system functioning.

 

Grade: 12

 

Sample Activities:

 

·        DANGEROUS DIETING - Establish four stations with information about different fad diets. Students move to the various stations and collect information. Students return to small groups and discuss how the various diets might impact one’s health by responding to the following questions: “Is the diet dangerous? Why or why not? Is it safe for athletes? children? women?”

 

      Variation: Students examine the role nutrition plays in various sports and activities (e.g., the diet of long distance runners or swimmers). Students develop an eating plan that compliments an exercise plan for a particular sport or activity and present the information to the class in a packet or
visual display.

Variation: Groups determine which nutritional and exercise program is best for a person described in a case study. Case studies should include individuals with health conditions, athletes concerned with weight loss or gain, and older athletes such as master swimmers or runners. Be sure to include athletes who participate in wheelchair sports, those participating in Special Olympics programs, and athletes of both genders.

 

·        PROBLEMS WITH THE SYSTEM - Students select a body system and research health problems associated with that system, selecting one condition for further research. Students develop a research portfolio outlining the factors associated with the particular condition (e.g., genetic, nutritional, behavioral, cultural, environmental). Students emphasize how to prevent or reduce one’s susceptibility to the health condition. Students share their findings in a research forum—a roundtable discussion of related health conditions. For example, students choosing the cardiovascular system may conduct research regarding mitral valve prolapse and share their findings with other students investigating cardiovascular disorders. Students selecting the respiratory system might narrow their research to asthma or tuberculosis. Display the portfolios for all students to review.

Variation: Students develop a series of computer graphics or illustrations that trace the origins of a disease and track the changes in the body if the disease progresses untreated.

 

·        CANCER PREVENTION - Students research a particular kind of cancer and develop a cancer prevention pamphlet, commercial, or public service announcement (PSA). For example, students focusing on colon cancer could inform the public about the effects of the dietary guidelines on cancer prevention. Students focusing on breast cancer might develop a question and answer sheet on self breast examination. Students focusing on skin cancer could emphasize the use of sunscreen. Students publish their pamphlet or video-tape the commercial or PSA. Students can also develop announcements for the school TV or radio station to be used during Cancer Awareness Week.

 

      Variation: Students develop a similar campaign for cardiovascular disorders, Lyme disease, or diabetes.