This Week in Health (April 7, 2014)

6th Grade:

This week, the students learned important interpersonal skills including empathy, considering another person's perspective, and disagreeing respectfully. The students discussed situations when they would need to apply these skills, reflected on examples from their own lives, and practiced using the skills in role playing scenarios with their classmates.

7th Grade: 

This week the students explored "relationships". They began by discussing the qualities that can make the various relationships in their lives be successful or fall apart. They distinguished between the positive qualities and negative qualities specifically in relationships with parents, teachers, siblings, and friends. The students also discussed how they could demonstrate 5 essential positive relationship qualities in a variety of scenarios. Towards the end of the week, the students focused on identifying the friendships in their lives and reflected on how they may respond in some difficult situations involving friends.

8th Grade:

Students identified and discussed the most important values in their lives. The students also applied these values by standing up in front of their class under one of 3 signs: "agree", "disagree", or "unsure" based on their beliefs in a variety of different topics. The students ended the week by learning the "DECIDE" decision making model and analyzing a video to process through it.

This Week in Health

Ms. Riccio's Classes:

6th Grade:

This week the 6th graders finished up their unit on physical fitness and nutrition. The students spent a good deal of last week learning about what it means to be physically fit and how one can achieve this. This week, the focus has been more on the nutritional aspect, and students have been learning about the 5 food groups, what a balanced meal entails, and why it is so important to eat breakfast. In one activity, students were asked to create (in writing) 4 healthy breakfast options which each contained at least 3 of the 5 food groups. 

7th Grade:

The 7th graders have begun their nutrition unit this week. They started off by learning about the 5 food groups and the benefits that the various foods in each of these groups have on their health. Now they are learning all about the 6 different nutrient groups and the different foods that contain these nutrients. In one activity, students created a healthy 5 day meal plan, making sure that they had one food from each of the five food groups at each meal. Next up students will be learning and practicing how to read nutrition facts labels.

8th Grade:

The 8th graders started up their unit on mental health this week. So far the students have learned what a mental illness is and why they may occur. The students have also focused in on ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), eating disorders, and addiction. When learning about these various mental illnesses the students identify common signs and symptoms, treatment options, and resources that could be of help to someone suffering from the particular mental illness. 

Ms. Tash's Classes:

6th Grade:

In 6th grade, the 2nd period students are learning how to read nutrition labels and how to create meals using "my plate". In the 6th period class, students are learning about manners. Currently they are focusing on manners when using a cell phone and computer.

7th Grade:

In 7th grade, the students are completing their drug unit by learning about marijuana.

8th Grade:

In 8th grade, the students are learning about disease prevention. They are focusing on the prevention of colds, the flu, and strep throat.

This Week in Health (2/4/14)

Ms. Riccio's Classes:

6th Grade:

In 6th grade we are finishing up the 2nd Step program, which is designed to teach effective interpersonal skills and educate students on the topic of bullying. This week in particular we are discussing how to identify bullying and how to respond to bullying. We are also learning about what it means to be a bystander and how one can be a positive/active bystander. 

7th Grade:

In 7th grade we are finishing up our relationships unit. Students are watching the movie "The Sandlot". We are using this movie to identify and discuss the various forms of communication (aggressive, passive, and assertive). We are also analyzing the friendships in this movie to distinguish positive and negative qualities. In addition, we are pinpointing parts of the movie to explain what is meant by "compromise" and "cooperation".

8th Grade:

In 8th grade we are finishing up our unit on Values & Beliefs. Throughout this unit students have identified their top values and have learned an effective decision making model. The students are watching the movie "Cyberbully". While watching the movie students are reflecting on their personal attitudes and behaviors towards the internet and social networking sites. They are also reflecting on their own values and whether or not they match their behaviors on and off line. In addition they are analyzing the decisions made by characters in the movie and the effects those decisions have had on themselves and others. 

Ms. Tash's Classes:

6th Grade:

The 2nd period class is working on manners and kindness. They have created a card to give to a teacher that would make that teacher smile. The 6th period class is working on nutrition. They are creating "my plate" for healthy eating. They also created a healthy "snack attack" menu. 

7th Grade:

The students are completing their friendship unit. The 3rd period class will be visiting the Applied Academics class on Friday to decide whether or not they would like to become a "Friday Buddy".

8th Grade:

The students recently applied the "Think First" model to solve 3 issues teens may have to deal with. The students will also be discussing peer pressure as it relates to drugs later in the week. 

Teens & Chatting Safely Online (STUDENT BARK BUCK BONUS!!!)

For this generation of teens, technology and social media are not just tools, they are a way of life. Social networking sites now make it possible for teens to communicate with anyone, anywhere in a matter of seconds. While there are several benefits to social networking, there are also several dangers that one should consider when chatting online. Click on the link below and watch this short video of a few teens' experiences and perspectives. Then answer the questions on your sheet! Remember, 10 bark bucks are on the line!!! :)

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/videos/perspectives-on-chatting-safely-online

Ms. Riccio's Classes

6th Grade:

This week in 6th grade students started off the week by reading an article on the importance of sleep. They then used the information from the article to summarize, analyze, and think critically about the topic. They then learned about water and why it is so critical to stay hydrated. The students learned about some signs of dehydration and how they can avoid it. We will finish out the week by learning some basic first aid skills and steps one can take to handle some minor first aid injuries.

7th Grade:

In 7th grade we are learning about nutrition. The students have practiced outlining healthy meals that include all 5 food groups. Next, students will be learning about the 6 nutrient groups and what foods contain each of the these nutrients. Later in the week students will be learning how to read a nutrition facts label and how they can use this information to identify whether or not a food is a healthy choice. Finally, students will finish the week with a little nutrition consumer health. Students will be examining different strategies that food companies and advertisers use to "trick" customers into buying their foods. Students will then practice identifying these tricks in a variety of advertisements.

8th Grade:

In 8th grade, students will be finishing up their unit on mental health with a post quiz on this topic. Then, we will be moving on to discuss "dating" and what the differences are between healthy and unhealthy relationships. We will look at a variety of characteristics and discuss whether they are part of healthy or unhealthy relationships and why such characteristics can be helpful or harmful. 

Ms. Tash's Classes

6th Grade:

Students will be learning appropriate and effective ways to stand up for themselves and others. Students will also be examining cyber bullying.

7th Grade:

Students will be learning about sexuality and reproduction.

8th Grade:

Students will be learning about skin conditions and skin cancer. Students will also be learning about piercings and tattoos. 

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!