Content Area: Health and Physical Education

 

Index: 2.1D Grade 12 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 occurring in adolescence and young adulthood with those occurring later in life, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, arthritis, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s.

 

Grade: 12

 

Sample Activities:

 

·        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.

 

·    WHAT'S NEW - Discuss some of the technological and medical advances of this century (e.g., polio vaccine, antibiotics, organ transplants). Students investigate a cutting-edge therapy or device such as artificial blood, the use of cloning and recombinant DNA, artificial heart valves, or new drugs to treat diseases such as cancer or HIV/AIDS. Students prepare a written report on the subject.

Variation: The class develops a time line mural that illustrates specific events that contributed to world health.

Variation: Students research trends in healthcare over the last 50 years, the last 25 years, the last 10 years and the last 5 years. Have health conditions changed? What has happened to hospitals? What about medical training? nursing? How has technology affected jobs? Based on the information compiled, students make predictions about the healthcare industry in the next century.

Variation: Interview two healthcare professionals—one a recent graduate and one who has been practicing for at least 20 years. Ask the individuals the same questions. Compare their responses.

Variation: Videotape interviews with a variety of healthcare professionals. Ask each professional to discuss a significant issue or concern they have about the future of healthcare. Create a video featuring all of the professionals. Students script the introduction to the interviews and additional material for the video.

 

·    SMOKING BOTHERS ME - Ask the class: “How do you feel if you are in a room with someone who smokes? What happens to your body when you inhale second-hand smoke? How do you handle the situation? What do you say or do? How does smoking impact the environment?” In small groups, students discuss the effects of cigarette or cigar smoke on the smoker and those around him/her and develop strategies to deal with exposure to second-hand smoke.

Variation: Students examine laws that regulate smoking and debate whether smoking should be permitted in public areas, such as government buildings, schools, malls, and restaurants.

 

·    IT'S A MATTER OF SAFETY: DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE -  In small groups, students track the potential consequences of a bus driver, airline pilot, or train engineer who operates a vehicle while under the influence. In these same groups, students assess the effects of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs on their own ability to operate a car or motorcycle. Each group addresses ways to deal with situations involving impaired drivers and presents the strategies to the class.