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Health Education

1.0 credit for Health Education required for graduation

HEALTH COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

HEALTH EDUCATION (1 credit total required for graduation)    
A required course for graduation, Health Education provides the basis for continued methods of developing knowledge, concepts, skills, behaviors, and attitudes related to health and well-being.  The course includes the major content areas in a planned, sequential, comprehensive health education curriculum as stated in the Connecticut State Department of Education’s Healthy and Balanced Living Curriculum Framework:  Nutrition, Injury Prevention, Wellness, Substance Abuse Prevention, Disease Prevention, Mental Health, Fitness and Human Growth and Development.

Students are provided with opportunities to explore the effect of health behaviors on an individual’s quality of life.  This series assists students in understanding that health is a lifelong responsibility by analyzing individual risk factors and health decisions that promote health and prevent disease. 

HEALTH EDUCATION I (¼ credit)
Students will develop an understanding of the relationship between physical, mental, and social health. Using the Centers for Disease Control Risk Factors as a lens, students will explore how knowledge and behavior contribute to reducing one’s risk for unintentional injury and disease.  Topics of study include:  self-esteem and bullying; stimulants, depressants, inhalants, and the refusal skill; the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, My Pyramid™ and the 6 essential nutrients; communicable, non-communicable, and sexually transmitted diseases; 5 components of fitness, caloric intake vs. energy expenditure, and metabolism; and the endocrine system, male and female reproductive systems. 

HEALTH EDUCATION II (¼ credit)
Students expand their knowledge of relationship between physical, mental and social health through the application of skills.  Students will examine key concepts through the application of the decision-making and goal setting skills.  Topics of study include:  feelings and emotions; stress management and communication; club drugs, addiction, and chemical dependency and the family; types of relationships, 5 methods of contraception, and abstinence; HIV/AIDS; and eating disorders.

HEALTH EDUCATION III (¼ credit)
Students will apply their knowledge and skills learned in Health Education I and II to examine the impact of one’s behavior and how the behaviors of others influence one’s life.  Topics of study include:  conflict resolution, anger management, and violence prevention; abuse of prescription medications including steroids and drug intervention; the importance of building healthy relationships, identifying abusive relationships, and sexual harassment; pregnancy and childbirth; hygiene and food borne illnesses; fad diets and fitness activities.

HEALTH EDUCATION IV (¼ credit)
Students will synthesize the knowledge and skills learned in Health Education I, II, and III to examine physical, mental, and social health in a global context.  Students will explore the effect of drugs on society, the impact of media/internet on sexual decision-making; coping skills necessary to contend with aging, death and dying; utilize reliable, valid health resources to develop personalized fitness and eating plans; and acquire basic information on first aid and safety.