Nemours KidsHealth
Food Labels: Grades 6-8
With the help of two activities, scholars discover what's in their favorite foods by reading nutrition labels. Activity one challenges participants to write a letter to a fictional peer about the importance of making healthy choices....
Curated OER
Obesity
Class members participate in a discussion, read a newspaper article, and participate in activities meant to open their eyes to the problem of obesity in the US. There are resource links, electronic worksheets, and teacher's notes to help...
Nemours KidsHealth
Asthma: Grades 6-8
Two activities teach middle schoolers about asthma and how it can affect people's lives. After reading a series of articles and watching two videos that provide background information about asthma, pupils design an interactive game that...
Nemours KidsHealth
Obesity: Grades 6-8
Screen time and fast foods, sugary drinks and greasy fries have lead to one-third of tween and teens being overweight or obese. As part of the Health Problems Series scholars analyze the nutritional value of the school food services menu...
PBS
Stories of Painkiller Addiction: Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Campaign
The I-STOP law was designed to regulate the distribution and tracking of prescription drugs. After reading an article about its signing and implementation, middle and high schoolers work together to come up with their own ideas for an...
Nemours KidsHealth
Smoking: Grades 9-12
The increase in the number of restrictions placed on smoking represents a clear shift in the understanding of the dangers of both the short term and long term consequences of tobacco use. But people still light up. Three activities help...
Nemours KidsHealth
Drugs: Grades 6-8
What happens to your body when you use drugs? What do you do if your friend wants you to start using? Learn about the signs of addiction and the ways to withstand peer pressure with two classroom activities. After storyboarding the...
Nemours KidsHealth
Self-Esteem
It's important to have healthy self-esteem, but it't not always easy for a teen to identify and maintain it. Support your pupils' healthy self-esteem through grand conversations, daily positive self reflections, and scenario problem...
BioEd Online
Muscles and Bones: Nutrition
Got milk? Or almonds, sardines, or tofu? Calcium is important throughout life, but especially so for developing bodies. If teens do not consume enough calcium while they are growing, they are at a much higher risk of osteoporosis and...
Curated OER
Drug and Alcohol Awareness
Fourth graders examine the statistics when it comes to teens and drug and alcohol abuse. In groups, they research the side effects of four different drugs. Using the information, they perform a skit, or puppet show to share their data...
Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment
Relationships and Sexuality
Developing close personal and romantic relationships requires its own set of skills. This session focuses on helping teens develop behaviors and strategies for dealing with romantic relationships, rather than on sharing personal...
Curated OER
Political Cartoons About Community Problems
Learners research problems faced by their community and create political cartoons for the issues. In this community problems lesson, students brainstorm problems their community faces and draw a political cartoon for the problems....
Curated OER
Tanning Teens
Young scholars identify the government's role in dealing with health issues among teenagers. They list the major concerns that health officials would have regarding teens and tanning. Students explore the potential role of government in...
Curated OER
For iPod Users, a Budding Problem
Students explore hearing loss in teens. In this health journalism lesson, students read the USA Today article titled "For iPod Users, a Budding Problem," respond to discussion questions regarding the article, and complete an activity...
PBS
Stories of Painkiller Addiction: Myth or Fact
Are opioids the most abused drug after marijuana? How hard is it for young people to obtain painkillers without a prescription? Middle and high schoolers explore the growing epidemic of opioid addiction with a instructional activity that...
Curated OER
Problem Solving and Decision Making
Help your teenagers learn to plan ahead before making a decision. With hypothetical examples and an online format, this could be a good addition to a language arts, teen issues, or health class. The format itself is not very...
Curated OER
Destressing: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff
Students interview peers, teachers, counselors, parents and local health providers to see how they identify "good" stress and suggest teens cope, write news feature about stress, complete with extra boxes, such as list of signs to spots,...
Curated OER
Feeling Sleepy
Students read the article "Feeling Sleepy?" students compare the article to a sleep survey they do in their class, describe problems that can arise from not getting enough sleep and identify strategies for getting adequate sleep.
Curated OER
Consuming Healthy Snacks
Get your class into great shape by introducing them to the benefits of eating healthy snacks and engaing in regular exercise. This set of activities comes with all the worksheets and handouts needed to complete several weeks of nutrition...
Curated OER
"My Friend's Got This Problem, Mr. Chandler," by Mel Glenn
Young scholars read, "My Friend's Got This Problem, Mr. Chandler," discuss it and write a response to one of the poems.
Curated OER
"Study Finds Soft Drink Consumption Up, Health Down"
Students compare the nutrients in soda with those in milk after reading an online article. They identify micronutrients that are important in the teen years and those that help stave off disease.
Alvord Unified School District
Taking Good Care of Ourselves: Personal Hygiene
Freshen up your classroom (and students) with this personal hygiene presentation. Colorful images and clear language help adolescents learn about the changes their bodies are undergoing and the things they can do to ease the transition...
Indigo Daya
Coping Skills
Adolescents experience strong amounts of stress during the formative teenage years. An excellent printable and worksheet can help learners discuss and develop coping skills for dealing with difficult times.
Curated OER
Cough...Cough...Yeah, I Smoke!
Students become familiar with the adverse health affects caused by cigarette smoking, nicotine addiction, and how when combined they may eventually lead to other risky behaviors. They engage in a role play where they make choices about...