What does it mean to be healthy? This course will examine the emotional, social, and physical aspects of health and wellness. Emphasis is placed on healthy decision-making, understanding teen risk behaviors, and looking into the future to estimate one’s quality of life. Students will analyze healthy behaviors and develop a plan for the prevention of future health problems.
This Health course is designed to provide an opportunity for students to develop skills, attitudes, and behaviors that enable them to make responsible decisions about health and avoid health-related risks. Using valid sources, students will interpret data to investigate trends of current health-related issues.
In this course, students will explore:
(1) Current health topics and trends that affect their lives.
(2) How to access valid health information.
(3) The conditions necessary for maintaining and balancing physical, emotional, and social well-being.
Based on the National and Connecticut Health Standards, students will discuss topics such as healthy eating, physical activity, drug use and abuse, healthy relationships, sexual health, abuse and violence prevention, emotional health, stress, disease prevention, and optimal wellness.
About the Self-Paced Course Model
Self-Paced courses are comprehensive and designed for students who need or desire more flexibility in their academic schedule. VHS Learning teachers will regularly interact with students in asynchronous discussions, will host weekly office hours, and will invite students to monthly 1-on-1 progress meetings. Teachers will support students, answer questions, and provide feedback on work. Students will work independently on course activities; the course does not include class discussion assignments or other collaborative work.
This course is open enrollment; students may register and begin at any time. Students must maintain enrollment for a minimum of 6 weeks and have up to 20 weeks to complete all assignments in the course. It is expected that students will work for approximately 95 hours to complete this course, though the amount of time may vary depending on a student’s work habits and comfort with the material.
Course Essential Questions:
- What does it mean to be healthy?
- Who and what influences our health choices?
- What are the current risks teens face and how do these trends impact health?
- Why is it important to use valid healthcare information in order to make appropriate health decisions?
Course Learning Objectives:
- Develop skills needed to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
- Access, evaluate and use valid information to achieve overall wellness.
- Examine and discuss concepts related to wellness and implement realistic plans for a lifetime of optimal well-being.
- Apply decision-making skills that enable students to become well-informed, health-literate individuals.