Major Concepts/Content: This semester long course is designed to help students refine their conceptualization of knowledge, attitudes, and skills related to health issues of adolescence and the precursors of adult health problems that have risk factors that may emerge during youth.  Developmentally appropriate concepts of personal and community health (PCH), safety (SFTY), mental health (MH), alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD), and family life and human sexuality (FLHS) are taught to eighth grade students in this course.  They will learn to utilize health education concepts when applying health information literacy skills, enhancing intrapersonal and interpersonal communications, analyzing internal and external influences, and applying thinking, self-management, and advocacy skills to promote health and wellness and reduce health risks.

Major Instructional Activities: Instruction is based on the needs, interests, strengths, and culture of eighth grade students.  Their knowledge, attitudes, and skills are developed along with a focus on the promotion of personal, family, and community health.  The emphasis is on the application of health concepts through student self or group directed learning activities.  Appropriate resources and technology are used for teaching and learning.  Ultimately, parents are viewed as the primary health educators of our young people; along with community resources, they are encouraged to be partners in the school-based health education program.

Major Evaluative Techniques: Multiple authentic assessment strategies are used to enable students to develop their health-related knowledge, attitudes, and skills; e.g., performance, portfolio, or product assessment by the teacher, self, or peers.

Last Revised: July 18, 2005