Health and education have an interdependent relationship. Studies have shown that experiences of hunger, abuse, obesity, violence, chronic illness, and other health issues are typically correlated to poor school performance (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, August 2015). In an era of increasing emphasis on student performance and achievement, we must do our best to ensure that all students have an opportunity to learn to the best of their abilities. If we are to accomplish this monumental task of educating all children as best as we can, we must try to remove as many barriers to their learning as we can. One way to reduce the impediment of poor health on educational performance is through health education.
Health education is increasingly …show more content…
These same standards can be covered under Common Core standard SL.5.1, in which students are required to engage effectively in a range of collaborative conversations (Common Core State Standards Initiative, 2015). Also, because many health standards require students to analyze situations and behaviors, I can tie them into reading lessons on predicting and inferring and going beyond what is directly stated in the text to truly comprehend it and make meaning of it. Standards that incorporate effects of different substances on the body would be easily integrated into a science unit on the human body, and engineering and goal-setting standards go hand-in-hand. Finally, though this is not my final idea for incorporating health standards into the general education curriculum, a math research project could be done to calculate the economic cost of tobacco use on society (Michigan Health Standard 2.5 and CCSS.5.NBT.A.3, CCSS.5.NBT.B.5-7).
On occasion, situations simply present themselves as good opportunities to incorporate health education that are not necessarily integrated into the curriculum in other ways, and a mindful teacher is able to take advantage of these to promote the health of his/her students. One example is discussing the importance of hygiene after students come in from recess sweaty and stinky. Another example is having …show more content…
Especially in a time where approximately one-third of children are considered overweight or obese (National Institutes of Health, 2012), the importance of school health cannot be downplayed. However, physical activity and nutrition are only two aspects of a full and healthy life; mental and social health, safety, and prevention of drug use, among others, are all crucial to maintaining a truly healthy lifestyle. All of these are addressed in Michigan’s health GLCEs that I would implement in my classroom via mostly cross-curricular activities and lessons. As part of schools’ mission to educate the whole child, we cannot ignore this important aspect of the curriculum, despite significant time constraints. If I am hired, I will do my best to teach to all of my students’ vastly different needs, including their health needs. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you
Health education is increasingly …show more content…
These same standards can be covered under Common Core standard SL.5.1, in which students are required to engage effectively in a range of collaborative conversations (Common Core State Standards Initiative, 2015). Also, because many health standards require students to analyze situations and behaviors, I can tie them into reading lessons on predicting and inferring and going beyond what is directly stated in the text to truly comprehend it and make meaning of it. Standards that incorporate effects of different substances on the body would be easily integrated into a science unit on the human body, and engineering and goal-setting standards go hand-in-hand. Finally, though this is not my final idea for incorporating health standards into the general education curriculum, a math research project could be done to calculate the economic cost of tobacco use on society (Michigan Health Standard 2.5 and CCSS.5.NBT.A.3, CCSS.5.NBT.B.5-7).
On occasion, situations simply present themselves as good opportunities to incorporate health education that are not necessarily integrated into the curriculum in other ways, and a mindful teacher is able to take advantage of these to promote the health of his/her students. One example is discussing the importance of hygiene after students come in from recess sweaty and stinky. Another example is having …show more content…
Especially in a time where approximately one-third of children are considered overweight or obese (National Institutes of Health, 2012), the importance of school health cannot be downplayed. However, physical activity and nutrition are only two aspects of a full and healthy life; mental and social health, safety, and prevention of drug use, among others, are all crucial to maintaining a truly healthy lifestyle. All of these are addressed in Michigan’s health GLCEs that I would implement in my classroom via mostly cross-curricular activities and lessons. As part of schools’ mission to educate the whole child, we cannot ignore this important aspect of the curriculum, despite significant time constraints. If I am hired, I will do my best to teach to all of my students’ vastly different needs, including their health needs. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you