ESSENTIAL CONTENT / SKILLS

Evaluate individual values and goals that contribute to self-identity, self-esteem, and empathy
Identify and communicate feelings by practicing communication skills which promote personal well-being (I statements, body language, assertiveness, etc.)
Evaluate how emotions, values, behaviors, and taking responsibility for one’s self contribute to well-being
Review the positive and negative reactions to stress and evaluate and select stress management techniques that contribute to well-being
Identify the primary emotions that can be masked by anger and apply healthy strategies to get one’s needs met
Describe the impact and coping strategies of trauma, loss, and grief
Analyze the causes, symptoms, and treatment of depression and suicidality
Recognize mental health and behavioral disorders
Apply decision making process to peer pressure situations, including taking responsibility for passive, assertive, and aggressive behaviors and their consequences
Categorize community resources and agencies and become familiar with various health related careers

Analyze and evaluate influences of family, peers, and community as they relate to one’s personal identity
Analyze characteristics of healthy, unhealthy, and abusive relationships (family, friends, love interests, acquaintances, and strangers)
Identify stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, bullying, and harassment and develop strategies to enhance empathy and tolerance
Identify the dynamics of domestic violence and dating violence, and characteristics of controlling behaviors
Develop strategies to prevent domestic violence, dating violence, and controlling behaviors (as aggressor and victim)
Demonstrate self-protection and empowerment strategies to promote well-being
Utilize assertive communication techniques as opposed to passive or aggressive
Utilize conflict resolution strategies
Categorize community resources and agencies and become familiar with various health related careers

Identify personal and interpersonal behaviors in daily life that may present a risk to health or safety, including proper safety equipment
Explain the importance of a family health profile, including history and habits, in assessing one’s own health risk
Explain the cause, methods of transmission, symptoms, diagnoses, treatment, and prevention of various common communicable diseases
List ways to reduce the risk of various chronic diseases and recognize ways to manage them emotionally and physically
Identify causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of STI/ HIV including the importance of abstinence
Introduce CPR skills and review basic First-Aid procedures
Distinguish between use and abuse of drugs (OTC, alcohol, tobacco, illegal, and current drug trends)
Classify different kinds of drugs and their effects on the body systems, including the brain
Recognize the stages of addiction and contributing factors
Describe the impact of substance abuse on self, family, school, and community
Categorize community resources and agencies and become familiar with various health related careers

Analyze media and its impact on emotions, thoughts, and actions (such as stereotypes, body image, sexuality, violence, drugs, alcohol, and food choices)
Evaluate marketing tactics and develop skills to become a smart consumer
Understand and practice personal internet safety (disclosing personal information, chat room dangers, cyber bullying)
Analyze current global health issues and evaluate their potential impacts on community and personal health
Identify home, school, and community service needs and opportunities to participate
Categorize community resources and agencies and become familiar with various health related careers

Define the skills necessary to promote healthy life-long eating habits
Understand how to balance caloric needs based on personal energy output
Utilize the Food Guide Pyramid to apply the concepts of moderation, balance, and variety to personal nutrition
Compare, contrast and evaluate food labels for nutritional value, prioritizing foods that are nutritionally dense over those with empty calories
Recognize nutritional diversity as it relates to health and diseases of various social, cultural, and ethnic groups
Critique various diet choices, fads, media influences and their health implications
Examine the complexity of factors that may lead to eating disorders, and then describe the symptoms, effects, and treatments (over-eating, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia)
Evaluate the impact of daily physical activity and exercise on lifelong health
Explain the components of fitness (cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, muscular endurance, muscular strength, and body composition) and how they relate to overall well-being
Analyze the risks of performance enhancing drugs
Categorize community resources and agencies and become familiar with various health related careers

Understand the impact of regular health care examinations, proper grooming, sleep, and physical activity on health
Explore the connection between cognitive, social, emotional, and physical developments occurring during puberty and adolescence
Discuss the development of physical and emotional changes throughout the life cycle
Review the male and female reproductive systems, and their functions
Recognize practices that protect reproductive health and prevent disease
Evaluate various pregnancy prevention methods, emphasizing the importance of abstinence and the impact of teenage pregnancy and parenting
Describe the effects of alcohol and other drugs on fetal development
Categorize community resources and agencies and become familiar with various health related careers

Health Curriculum – High School