This Week in Health (Monday, November 9th - Friday, November 13th)

Ms. Riccio's Classes:

6th Grade:

In 6th grade, we are learning the 5 components of fitness and discussing what it means to be physically fit. This week students completed an assessment on their own level of physical fitness. Then, students set a SMART goal for incorporating more physical activity into their daily schedule. Over the course of the next week, students will be tracking their progress towards achieving this goal. 

7th Grade:

In 7th grade the students are continuing to learn about intolerance and why it is so important to practice tolerance. This week in particular, students are learning what stereotyping is. We are discussing common stereotypes and investigating stereotyping throughout history. In addition, students are looking at the media and discussing ways in which many media sources influence stereotyping in our society. The students are having awesome discussions on how stereotyping and prejudice not only directly harms certain individuals, but society as a whole.

8th Grade:

In 8th grade we are finishing up our unit on nutrition. This week students are discussing factors that have contributed to the current obesity epidemic in the United States. The students are watching a documentary that demonstrates how food has transformed in the past couple of decades and using this documentary to identify changes that need to be made to turn the obesity epidemic around. In addition, students will participate in a fun online game that shows how much portion sizes have changed in the past 20 years, and how much physical activity needs to be done to burn these "extra" calories. Check out the game HERE!

Ms. Tash's Classes:

6th Grade:

The 6th graders are working on different peace projects. This will culminate with creating a wreath out of their hands that will depict a piece symbol. We are also creating vocabulary peace poles.

7th Grade:

The 7th grade will be completing the Tobacco, Alcohol, Marijuana unit with "What might happen if...?" statements to clarify the real life effects of drug use. 

8th Grade:

8th grade will examine the effects of stress on their emotional health and be able to apply "stress busting" management skills. 

8th Graders in Ms. Riccio's Classes are Reaching for SMART Goals

To finish off our Values & Beliefs unit in 8th grade, we discussed the importance of goal setting as it relates to our future, our values, and making good decisions. We spent time learning how to write effective SMART goals and discussed why it is beneficial to write goals in this way. Students were then asked to complete a final project in which they wrote a SMART goal for something they would like to achieve in the next 5 years. Students worked through a worksheet packet to help them process this goal. Students were asked to look at where they stood now in relation to their goal; to consider obstacles they may face while trying to achieve their goal; and to identify solutions for handling those obstacles. Students then wrote their goals on a traced version of their arm, along with 3 steps they need to take to accomplish their goal. Students decorated their arm to represent who they are. The final products are featured on a bulletin board located in the front lobby of the middle school. Below are some pictures of the students' work and the final board. Enjoy!