Health Smart Virginia
Mental Health/Social Emotional Skills
A 7-page packet of activity ideas, lesson plans, and information resources provides instructors of high school freshmen a wealth of materials to support teaching the concepts in a Health Smart unit.
Health Smart Virginia
Health/Social Emotional Skills
Designed for instructors, a seven-page packet provides an overview of the Health Smart unit for eighth-graders. The resource includes the objectives and goals of the unit, details suggested procedures and provides links to additional...
Health Smart Virginia
Social Emotional Skills Lessons Overview
Sometimes the hardest part of planning any unit of instruction is determining the activities that reinforce the concepts of the lessons and support the development of student skills. This first resource in the Health Smart series...
Health Smart Virginia
How the Namuhs Learned to Be Content with Who They Are
Ninth graders consider how perceived standards of beauty influence body image as well as the relationship between body image and eating disorders. The class brainstorms traits the media presents as beauty standards for males and females,...
Health Smart Virginia
Emotions
Five activity ideas begin a six-part series that looks closely at social-emotional competencies. Activities include ways to incorporate kindness, several lessons from Kids Health, a variety of mindfulness practices, scenario discussions,...
Health Smart Virginia
Inside Out Emotions
Following a viewing of Disney/Pixar's Inside Out, scholars list the five emotions depicted in the film—joy, sadness, anger, fear, and disgust. Learners complete a handout and discuss their answers. To close the lesson, peers share a...
Health Smart Virginia
Keeping the Peace
A lesson examines ways young learners can keep the peace with conflict resolution. Scholars share a conflict then discuss the difference between conflicts and bullying. Pupils read scenarios and practice their negation skills.
Health Smart Virginia
Communication
In preparation for a game in which they guess the type of communication used in a scenario, scholars examine and discuss the four types of communication: passive, aggressive, assertive, and passive-aggressive. Learners identify "I"...
Health Smart Virginia
Rule Development
A class discussion defines what it means to make the classroom a safe environment. To make their classroom safe, small groups work collaboratively to create a list of characteristics that make up successful learners. Groups share their...
Health Smart Virginia
Conflict Resolution
A lesson introduces the Peace Corner—a safe place to communicate feelings and problem solve. To gain practice, scholars role-play scenarios that require conflict resolution. Peers speak, listen, brainstorm solutions, shake hands, then...
Health Smart Virginia
Social Emotional Skills
A list of seven ideas designed to boost social-emotional learning provides ample opportunity for identifying and expressing feelings. Activities include ice-breakers, role-playing, thoughtful discussions, and more.
Health Smart Virginia
Feeling Disappointment or Grief?
Grief and disappointment are the focus of a instructional activity designed to encourage scholars to share their feelings. Following a presentation, the class listens to read-aloud, examines scenarios, and discusses appropriate ways to...
Health Smart Virginia
Self Image
A 14-slide presentation walks a class through a lesson on self-image. While responding to scenarios and answering questions thoughtfully, scholars use pictures to complete a worksheet that offers describing words, emphasizes their inner...
Health Smart Virginia
Sporting Behavior
A game of Cooperation Tag and a Rock, Paper, Scissors Champion Challenge plays to the positive impact of good sporting behavior on one's social-emotional development. Scholars participate in these games with their peers then thoroughly...
Health Smart Virginia
Emotions
A list of activities inspires self-awareness and mindfulness. Scholars practice identifying emotions and expressing their feelings while using their hands, mind, and social skills to complete tasks. Activities include story writing,...
Health Smart Virginia
Let’s Talk Emotions
A presentation guides a discussion and opportunity for role-playing about identifying and talking about emotions. To begin, scholars share memories of happiness and unhappiness and how they responded to specific feelings. Then, learners...
Health Smart Virginia
Social Emotional Skills
A list of activity ideas, lessons, and resource links all focus on kindness, empathy, and mindfulness. Five steps offer experience in role-play, crafts, writing, thoughtful discussions, and more!
Health Smart Virginia
Circle of Control with a Kiss
A presentation walks scholars through an exercise of self-control. Using Hershey Kisses, learners listen closely and follow directions, leading them to a worksheet that looks at what they can and can't control. Pupils discuss their...
Health Smart Virginia
Making Partners
Partnering with someone new may be daunting. Here a instructional activity encourages young peers to work collaboratively in physical activity settings. Following a whole-class discussion, scholars participate in several cooperative...
Health Smart Virginia
Taking Turns
Scholars work cooperatively, taking turns, to boost peer relationships and fairness. Rotating through five stations, players practice tossing, bouncing, push-ups, and working together to clean up fallen equipment, then rate their...
Health Smart Virginia
How Are You Feeling Today?
A presentation guides a thoughtful discussion about identifying emotions. Slide-by-slide, scholars answer questions and offer details about specific feelings. A worksheet challenges class members to draw facial expressions and describe...
Health Smart Virginia
Social Emotional Skills
Nine activities boost social-emotional competencies. Read through the list and choose what best fits the needs of your class. Activities include thoughtful discussions, creating posters, listening to a read-aloud, and more!
Health Smart Virginia
Stress and Emotions
An overview of the 10-resource filled series goes over seven activity ideas in the series. Activities include conducting lessons, class discussions, practicing mindfulness, integrating technology, role-play, and family and peer...
Health Smart Virginia
Caring School Environment Performance Task
In a school scenario, pupils stay home to keep from the teasing and bullying on campus. To combat unkind behavior, small groups survey learners in other grade levels, discuss and summarize their findings, then work together to create a...