Resources for Building a Quality School Health Education Program Christine Philley, CFCS School Health Administrator Office of Healthy Schools Mississippi Department of Education

Resource #1: The Mississippi Healthy Students Act Brings a new level of importance to Health Education. Brings an understanding for the value of teaching Health Education at all levels - K-12.

Resource #2: A Quality Health Education Curriculum The Mississippi Health Education Curriculum is Built on State and National Standards. Mississippi State Standards mirror the National Standards for Health Education.

Health Education Must Include a Range of Educational Experiences. Health should be taught in a way that students can obtain, interpret, and apply basic health information to enhance their personal lives.

Health Education has an Interdisciplinary Nature. Health’s interdisciplinary nature contributes to the feasibility of infusing health content and skills across disciplines.

Health Strands – Core Competencies 1. Community/Environmental Health (C) 2. Personal Health (PH) 3. Human Growth and Development (H) 4. Disease Prevention and Control (D) 5. Drug Abuse Prevention (DA)

Core Competencies (continued) 6. Nutrition (N) 7. Consumer Health (CH) 8. Mental Health (M) 9. Safety and First Aid (S) 10. Family Life (F)

Health Standards - Skills: 1. Comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention. 2. Demonstrate the ability to access valid health information. 3. Demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and reduce health risks.

Standards continued….. 4. Analyze the influence of culture, media, technology and other factors on health. 5. Demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health. 6. Demonstrate the ability to use goal setting skills to enhance health.

Standards continued….. 7. Demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance health. 8. Demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family and community health.

Resource #3: Supplemental Resource Providers List Found on the MDE website under “Resources” Approved by MDE Provides schools a listing of some appropriate resources for teaching health education in Mississippi classrooms

Resource #4: Your School Health Council The School Health Council advocates for student health – just what you are teaching! Your School Health Council is a great partner for you. Ask to be a member, attend meetings and let the council know what you are teaching and what you need to provide better instruction for your students.

Resource #5: School Wellness Policy Every school should have a school wellness policy that addresses the eight components of Coordinated School Health. Make sure that you are involved in breathing life into your school’s wellness policy. As a health educator, YOU are the expert!

Resource #6: The Office of Healthy Schools at MDE Seven Regional Trainings across the state The Office of Healthy Schools Website www.healthyschoolsms.org Mississippi Department of Education website www.mde.k12.ms.us

Resource #7: Health In Action Website A collection of web-based lesson plans written by educators from across the state Lesson plans that are linked to web-based resources, classroom materials and videos For all educators Lesson plans that can be implemented in regular classrooms, gyms or on the playground

Health In Action Is… (continued) Lesson plans that link school health education and physical education with core academic subjects Lesson plans that are based on State and National Standards for Health and Physical Education Age appropriate lesson plans that are based on competencies prescribed by state Health and Physical Education frameworks

Why Health In Action? To assist educators in implementing the requirements of the MS Healthy Students Act. To provide resources to support the implementation of quality health education and physical education/activity based instruction in classrooms across the state.

Health In Action Lesson Plans Are: Grade level appropriate for K-2; 3-5; 6-8; and 9-12 grades Activity based to get students up and moving and engaged in learning that is fun!

Navigating the Health in Action Web-Site

When you go to the Health in Action web site, this is the first page that you will see. If you have not registered on the site then click on Register as a new user. If you have registered, then just enter the email address that you used to register with and click login.

When you click on register as a new user, this the screen that you will see. Just fill out your information and click on register me when you are finished.

You are now ready to login to health in action You are now ready to login to health in action. Type in your email address and click submit.

After you login, this is the screen that you will see After you login, this is the screen that you will see. You can select the grade level that you teach, then click continue.

One of the unique features of health in action is that the lesson plans are divided into monthly themes. Just click on the month and click search. Also, if you look at the top of the screen you will see the different grade levels, profile, and feedback tabs.

This screen shows you all of the lesson plans for the month of February for grades K-2. Looking at the screen shot, you will see the date the lesson plan was posted, activity title, competency, integrated subject (if you move the pointer over the integrated subjects, it will tell you the integrated subject area of the lesson plan) content strand, duration, and the month. To access the lesson plans, click on the activity title.

This will open the lesson plan This will open the lesson plan. As you can see, the lesson plans are broken down into categories, grade level, related month, competency, objective, content strand, integrated subject area, duration, etc. If you decide you want to print out the lesson plan, click on the printable version link and the page will bring up a pdf file so you can print the lesson plan.

You can also run a search for activities in health in action You can also run a search for activities in health in action. Click on the grade level that you teach, type keywords that you want and click search. On this screen I choose grades 6-8, pe only, and the keyword was ball.

This is the result of that search.

The feedback tab allows you to submit comments or suggestions The feedback tab allows you to submit comments or suggestions. Just click on the send us a message button. You can also submit an activity from this page. The information for what needs to be included with the activity is listed on the page.

When Can I Use The Health In Action Website? Educators are able to access the Health In Action NOW. Our goal is to use every opportunity to train educators to access and use the site as they prepare plans for this school year.

To access the HEALTH IN ACTION website: Go to: http://activities.healthyschoolsms.org/ If you need more information, here is the contact information for you.

New This Fall….. Safe Routes to School Lesson Plans to assist educators in teaching walking and bicycling safety! October is Walk to School Month. Plan now to involve students in learning about being safe as they come to school.

Resource #8: Community Agencies Law Enforcement Fire Department Mississippi State University Extension Service Boys & Girls Clubs & YMCA Local Fitness Centers Mississippi Department of Health Mental Health Asthma Association Heart Association Alliance for a Healthier Generation Cancer Association

Resource #9: Upcoming Health Institutes To offer secondary teachers an opportunity to become endorsed to teach health education. There are specific eligibility requirements 3.0 CEUs offered Endorsement 143 Only offered during the 08-09 school year

Dates and Places November 1,8,15 & 22 – Jackson January 10, 17, 24 & 31 – Hattiesburg February 7, 14, 21, & 28 – Columbia July 17, 2009 – Final Class Register on MDE website

Resource #10: Enthusiastic Teachers! Teachers who realize that they are teaching life skills that all students need! Teachers who understand that when students study and learn health skills, they are learning something that they can use for life.

Questions?????