Lesson Planning for Skills-Based Elementary Health Education

Holly Alperin, EdM, MCHES, is a clinical associate professor at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and has over 20 years' experience in both public health and education. As a faculty member and program coordinator of the department of kinesiology's health and physical education teacher preparation program, she focuses on preparing preservice educators to teach using a skills-based approach. Prior to UNH, she worked at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in a variety of roles that supported schools in their efforts to strengthen policies and increase capacity around school health education and programs, school nutrition programs, and professional learning experiences for educators. Through her work at the local, state, national, and international levels she provides guidance to schools as they create a culture of health and well-being for each student-both in the health education classroom and throughout the school. Alperin is the past vice president of health education for New Hampshire Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, currently serves on the taskforce to revise the National Health Education Standards, and is the past-chair of the Health Education Council for SHAPE America, among other volunteer roles. Alperin received her master's in education in policy, planning, and administration from Boston University and her bachelor's degree in health education and health promotion from Central Michigan University. She holds the Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) credential. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and two daughters. In her free time you can likely find her in the mountains or at the beach enjoying the best New England has to offer. Sarah Sparrow Benes, EdD, CHES, is an associate clinical professor in the School of Health Sciences at Merrimack College. Sarah teaches a variety of undergraduate- and graduate-level courses in health sciences, does service projects in local communities, and conducts research on health education and physical activity in schools. Dr. Benes was the program director for physical and health education programs at Boston University for six years before coming to Merrimack College. She has numerous publications in refereed journals and has written chapters examining health education; she has also made more than a dozen presentations on skills-based health education and related topics at state and regional conferences. Sarah is currently serving on the board of directors of SHAPE America and is the former vice president of health education for the Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Dr. Benes consults with school districts on health and wellness issues, with a focus on skills-based curriculum development and implementation. She is a certified health education specialist, a certified mental health first aid instructor, and a member of SHAPE America. Sarah received a bachelor's degree in athletic training from the University of Connecticut, a master's degree in education from Boston University, and a doctorate in curriculum and teaching from Boston University; she is currently working on a master of public health degree. She lives in Natick, Massachusetts, with her husband, two daughters, and yellow Labrador retriever. She enjoys spending time with her family on nature walks and enjoying the sights and sounds of the Northeast.

Part I. Setting the Foundation for Skills-Based Health Education Chapter 1. Skills-Based Health Education: An Overview Alignment With the National Health Education Standards Skill Development and Assessment Participatory Methods Functional Information References Chapter 2. Designing Your Health Curriculum Eight Steps of Curriculum Design Using This Text References Part II. Skills in the Classroom Chapter 3. Accessing Valid and Reliable Information, Products, and Services Skill Overview Skill Cues Unit Outline for Grades K Through 2 Assessment for Grades K Through 2 Lesson Plans and Learning Activities for Grades K Through 2 Lesson 1: A Healthy Me! Lesson 2: Who Can Help Me? Lesson 3: Who Can Help Me in My Community? Lesson 4: When Do I Need Help? Lesson 5: Final Assessment Unit Outline for Grades 3 Through 5 Assessment for Grades 3 Through 5 Lesson Plans and Learning Activities for Grades 3 Through 5 Lesson 1: Is It REAL? and READ Critically Lesson 2: Finding Information About Puberty Lesson 3: Managing Changes Lesson 4: Practicing Our Skills Lesson 5: Final Assessment Chapter 4. Analyzing Influences Skill Overview Skill Cues Unit Outline for Grades K Through 2 Assessment for Grades K Through 2 Lesson Plans and Learning Activities for Grades K through 2 Lesson 1: Influences All Around Lesson 2: I Celebrate, You Celebrate Lesson 3: Celebrating You! Lessons 4 and 5: Final Assessment Unit Outline for Grades 3 Through 5 Assessment for Grades 3 Through 5 Lesson Plans and Learning Activities for Grades 3 Through 5 Lesson 1: I AM ME! Lesson 2: Peer, Family, and Culture, OH WOW! Lesson 3: Going Beyond the Leaves . . . Lessons 4 and 5: Final Assessment References Chapter 5. Interpersonal Communication Skill Overview Skill Cues Unit Outline for Grades K Through 2 Assessment for Grades K Through 2 Lesson Plans and Learning Activities for Grades K Through 2 Lesson 1: I Need to Be Me to Communicate Effectively! Lesson 2: I HEAR and I TELL Lesson 3: I Love . . . Lesson 4: Expressing Ourselves Lesson 5: Final Assessment Unit Outline for Grades 3 Through 5 Assessment for Grades 3 Through 5 Lesson Plans and Learning Activities for Grades 3 Through 5 Lesson 1: Exploring Perspective and Empathy Lesson 2: What Is Conflict? Lesson 3: Conflict Resolution Lesson 4: We Can Resolve Conflicts! Lesson 5: Final Assessment Chapter 6. Making Decisions to Maintain or Enhance Health Skill Overview Skill Cues Unit Outline for Grades K Through 2 Assessment for Grades K Through 2 Lesson Plans and Learning Activities for Grades K Through 2 Lesson 1: Decision Making Is a Super Power Lesson 2: I Spy . . . Becoming a Home Safety Detective Lesson 3: I Spy . . . Community Safety! Lessons 4 and 5: Final Assessment Unit Outline for Grades 3 Through 5 Assessment for Grades 3 Through 5 Lesson Plans and Learning Activities for Grades 3 Through 5 Lesson 1: Being a Decision Maker Lesson 2: Decisions, Substances, and YOU! Lesson 3: Substance Use and Your Brain! Lesson 4: Decision Making, Your Way Lesson 5: Final Assessment References Chapter 7. Goal Setting Skill Overview Skill Cues Unit Outline for Grades K Through 2 Assessment for Grades K Through 2 Lesson Plans and Learning Activities for Grades K Through 2 Lesson 1: My Dream Lesson 2: I Can Set Goals! Lesson 3: Don't Feed the Worry Bug Lesson 4: Managing Stress to Support Mental Health Lesson 5: Final Assessment Unit Outline for Grades 3 Through 5 Assessment for Grades 3 Through 5 Lesson Plans and Learning Activities for Grades 3 Through 5 Lesson 1: Get GOALing! Lesson 2: Habits for Balanced Eating Lesson 3: All About Physical Activity Lesson 4: All About Balance Lesson 5: Final Assessment References Chapter 8. Self-Management: Developing Habits to Improve Our Health Skill Overview Skill Cues Unit Outline for Grades K Through 2 Assessment for Grades K Through 2 Lesson Plans and Learning Activities for Grades K Through 2 Lesson 1: Health Behaviors for a Healthier Body Lesson 2: Food Group Shuffle Lesson 3: Balanced Eating for a Healthier Me! Lesson 4: Foods Fit for Me! Lesson 5: Final Assessment Unit Outline for Grades 3 Through 5 Assessment for Grades 3 Through 5 Lesson Plans and Learning Activities for Grades 3 Through 5 Lesson 1: Routines for a Healthier Me! Lesson 2: Developing Routines to Manage Stress Lesson 3: Stress Management Stations Lesson 4: Sleep Tight and Rest Well Lesson 5: Final Assessment Chapter 9. Advocacy Skill Overview Skill Cues Unit Outline for Grades K Through 2 Assessment for Grades K Through 2 Lesson Plans and Learning Activities for Grades K Through 2 Lesson 1: Standing Up for What You Believe In Lesson 2: Ways to Stay Healthy Lesson 3: Ways to Stay Safe Lesson 4: Ways to Stay Safe (continued) Lesson 5: Final Assessment Unit Outline for Grades 3 Through 5 Assessment for Grades 3 Through 5 Lesson Plans and Learning Activities for Grades 3 Through 5 Lesson 1: A Is for Advocacy Lesson 2: Being a Digital Citizen Lesson 3: I Can Be Safe Online Lesson 4: Stop Cyberbullying Lessons 5 and 6: Final Assessment