8th Grade Health

I. Healthy choices

Benchmarks:

A. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method and take part in a wide variety of activities in the rational steps in decision making.
1. The student will use the basic steps in the scientific method in studying health related problems.
B. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the steps in basic personal care.
1. The student will list, describe and synthesize basic personal care concerns.

II. Body systems

Benchmarks:

A. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the skeletal, muscular, digestive, excretory, circulatory, respiratory, lymphatic, nervous, and reproductive systems.
1. The student will identify various parts of each of the body systems.

III. Environmental and external factors that affect individual and community health

Benchmarks:

A. Student will show an understanding of how the physical environment can affect health.
1. The student will explain in writing and verbally positive and negative aspects of numerous physical environments.
B. Student will show an understanding of how personal health can be influenced by society.
1. The student will verbally and in written form be able to describe various cultural common health behaviors and their affect on ones health.
C. Student will demonstrate an understanding of how cultural beliefs and so forth have an affect on ones health.
1. The student will describe how various cultural beliefs affect individuals lives.
D. Student will demonstrate an understanding of how peer relationships have an affect on ones health.
1. The student will describe how peer relationships may negatively or positively affect ones life.

IV. Relationship of family health to individual health

Benchmarks:
A. The student will demonstrate an understanding of how family lifestyle decisions affect individual family members.
1. The student will describe how family choices affect individual family members.

V. Mental and emotional health

Benchmarks:

A. Student will demonstrate an understanding of ways to build and maintain healthy relationships with peers, parents, and other adults.
1. Student will list, describe, and explain how to build healthy relationships with peers, parents and other adults.
B. Student will demonstrate an understanding of the differences between safe and risky or harmful behaviors in relationships.
1. The student will list, describe, and explain how positive and negative behaviors affect relationships.


VI. Injury prevention and safety

Benchmarks:

A. Student will demonstrate a basic understanding of the inherent risk in activity.
1. The student will describe some of the inherent risks in a variety of physical activities
B. Using the scientific method, students will problem solve to lessen the inherent risks in activities.
1. Student will list and describe solutions to minimize the risk in physical activities.
C. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the possible conflicts among youth in the community and schools, and strategies to manage conflict.
1. Student will list, describe and explain conflict resolution in various environments.

VII. Nutrition and diet

Benchmarks:


A. Student will show an understanding of how eating properly will help reduce health risks.
1. Student will list , describe, and explain the food pyramid.
B. Student will show an understanding of the principles of food safety involved with food storage and preparation.
1. Student will list, describe, and explain proper principles in food storage and preparation.

VIII. Personal health

Benchmarks:

A. Student will show an understanding of the importance of a health plan (e.g., a system of daily exercise)
1. Student will describe and explain why having and following a health plan is important to ones health.
B. Student will show an understanding how a healthy lifestyle will lessen health risks.
1. Student will describe and explain how a healthy lifestyle will minimize health risks.
C. Student will show an understanding of current health issues and be informed of new advancements in the health field.
1. Student will daily discuss a variety of current health issues and new advancements in the health field.

IX. Growth and development

Benchmarks:

A. The student will show an understanding of the “wonder” of human growth.
1. Student will describe and explain a variety developments in the process of human growth.
B. Student will show an understanding of the similarities and differences between male and female sexuality.
1. The student will describe, and explain a number of the similarities and differences between men and women.
C. Student will show an understanding of the processes of conception, prenatal development, and birth.
1. The student will describe and explain the stages in the birth process