Health is, arguably, the most important subject that we teach in school. That’s why it’s vital that our health curriculum is always up-to-date.
Over the last few decades, the world has been changing rapidly in many ways. And as the world changes, so do the health challenges that students face.
So, in 2021, what should a middle school health curriculum look like? How can we teach health in a way that’s relevant, up-to-date, AND engaging for students?
Start with these 3 essential topics:
Topic #1: Growth Mindset
Carol Dweck coined the term “Growth Mindset” in 2007, and her theory has since become a popular part of teaching mental health in schools.
Growth mindset, in simple terms, is the ability to see failures as learning opportunities rather than a reflection of your worth.
Learning to put this into practice can have a huge impact on students’ self-esteem and success throughout their lives. Click this link to read more about developing a growth mindset!
To keep growth mindset lessons and concepts fresh in students’ minds, grab these bold, colorful posters to display in your classroom!
Topic #2: Mental Health
Not too long ago, open discussions about mental health were incredibly rare in schools. Luckily, teaching mental health is becoming a lot more common as public awareness and understanding grow.
Statistics show that there’s been a sharp rise in stress levels and mental illness in adolescents since the turn of the century. As a result, many educators are looking for ways to emphasize mental health in their teaching and normalize these conversations.
In this middle school health curriculum bundle, the mental health unit covers basic knowledge on common mental illnesses and also emphasizes the importance of maintaining mental health for everyone. Students learn to understand and manage their stress levels, emotions, and relationships with others.
While teaching mental health, I also like to bring in the concept of mindfulness using these guided meditations. These short meditations come with visually appealing graphics, making them an engaging way to introduce students to the benefits of mindfulness.
Topic #3: Internet Safety
The role of the internet and social media in students’ lives grows and changes every year.
Students’ online interactions have such a huge impact on their health and safety; this is not an area where we can afford to use out-of-date curriculum.
Our current students grew up using the internet, but that doesn’t mean that they know how to navigate it safely. Guarding their mental health, protecting themselves from dangerous situations online are skills that need to be taught.
In my middle school health curriculum bundle, there is a unit dedicated to internet safety. It covers all of the most important points that students need to stay safe and informed while online, with topics like preventing cyberbullying and avoiding online predators.
Download your copy of the middle school health curriculum bundle here!
Also, grab this FREEBIE! This free resource includes:
- A pacing guide to accompany the health curriculum bundle
- Fun binder tabs, covers, and spine labels to keep you organized!
Do you agree with my choices for the top 3 most essential health topics in 2021? Let me know in the comments!
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