Content Area: Health and Physical Education

 

Index: 2.1D Grade 8 CPI 3

 

Standard: 2.1 - Wellness

 

Strand: D - Diseases and Health Conditions

 

Cumulative Progress Indicator: 3 - The student will compare and contrast diseases and health conditions, including hepatitis, STDs, HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, and testicular cancer.

 

Grade: 8

 

Sample Activities:

 

·       THE MAZE OF SERVICES - Divide the class into small groups, and give each group a case study describing a person with a health problem. (Be sure you provide examples of children, teens, and adults.) Each group describes the individual’s problem, contributing factors, and treatment and then determines where the person should go for treatment and care. Include information on insurance, the availability of services, and community factors in the scenarios. Each group presents a portfolio with current research on the health condition, the types of treatment available, and potential costs for treatment. The case studies are presented to the class and discussed.

 

     Variation: Invite a pharmacist, physician, nurse practitioner, dentist, or other healthcare provider to class to discuss trends and issues in healthcare. Invite a representative from the insurance industry to present a point-counterpoint debate.

Variation: Students design a board game that illustrates the frustrations of the maze of services. In the game, students move from space to space encountering obstacles to services such as lack of money, no transportation or appointment delays. Students navigate the system with positive health behaviors, regularly scheduled healthcare visits, and supportive family and friends.

 

·        WHERE DID THAT DISEASE COME FROM? - Give students a list of common diseases and health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, sickle cell anemia, epilepsy, arthritis, allergies, or tuberculosis. Students research the disease or condition and develop a booklet that traces the history of the disease and the current status of treatment and prevention. Students indicate if heredity, behavior, or environmental factors cause or influence the condition. The booklet should contain resources for more information. Students summarize the information and present as a two-minute oral presentation.

Variation: Invite a panel of speakers from organizations such as the American Lung Association, the March of Dimes, and other nonprofit organizations. Presenters discuss the health conditions most closely associated with their organization and offer tips on the prevention of the conditions.