Eighth Grade Curriculum Resources
Standard of Learning
8.5 The student will investigate and evaluate ways in which peers, families, and other community groups can work together to build a safe and healthy community. Key concepts/skills include:
- methods used to reduce health hazards and risks;
- the health risks associated with yielding to negative peer pressure;
- practices associated with healthy environments;
- opportunities for community service.
Understanding the Standard
The student will investigate and evaluate methods to reduce health hazards and risks, how health risks are associated with peer pressure, the similarity among practices associated with healthy environments, and the opportunities for community service.
Essential Knowledge and Skills
The student will:
- define quackery. (consumer fraud or deception that involves the practice of promoting or selling useless products or services)
- define quack. (a person who markets inaccurate health-related information, unreliable health care, or useless products or services)
- describe a fad. (something that is very popular for a short period time)
- define peer. (a person in the same age group)
- describe peer pressure. (the influence people of the same age have on one another)
- define ecology. (the study of how living things are connected in the environment)
- describe a health advocate. (someone who chooses actions that protect the environment)
- explain service learning. (an educational experience that combines learning with community service without pay)
- describe shadowing. (spending time with a mentor as a he/she performs work activities)
- define mentor. (spending time with a responsible, trusted person who guides and helps a younger person)
- identify three kinds of health-related quackery:
- weight loss and diet scams;
- unproven medical treatments; and
- unproven medical products.
- investigate health-related products that promote quick fixes or cures.
- explain environmental protection strategies for individuals and communities:
- stop pollution;
- choose behavior that prevents harmful changes in the atmosphere;
- choose behavior that prevents harmful changes in the climate;
- conserve natural resources; and
- improve living conditions for all.
- list ways to be a health advocate for the environment.
- describe steps to explore volunteer opportunities:
- list your skills, talents, and interests;
- ask your teacher or guidance counselors about opportunities to participate in service learning; and
- call or visit organizations for which you would like to volunteer.
Sample Lessons
Chemicals, the Environment, and You: Explorations in Science and Human Health
Grades 7-8
Sponsor: National Institutes of Health, Curriculum Supplement Series
http://science.education.nih.gov
EnviroHealth Connections
Grades 5-12
Explores relationship between environment and human health.
Sponsor: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Contact: http://beta.thinkport.org/career/training/mpt/connections
EnviroMysteries
Grades 5-9
Students investigate the connection between where they live and how they feel.
“Breaking the Mold” http://enviromysteries.thinkport.org/breakingthemold/
“Water + ? = Trouble” http://enviromysteries.thinkport.org/watertrouble.html
Sponsor: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Contact: http://enviromysteries.thinkport.org
Toxic or Not? – Environmental Health Hazards
Grades 6-8
Focuses on hazards present in the environment and means of exposure.
Sponsor: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Contact: http://peer.tamu.edu/curriculum_modules/environ-Hazards
Tox RAP
Grades K-9
Students understand basic environmental health sciences concepts and make informed decisions to reduce their health risks associated with potential environmental pollutants. Lessons use a risk assessment framework.
‘The Case of the Green Feathers’ (air pollution) Grade 3
‘What is Wrong with the Johnson Family?’ (investigate unexplained health problems) Grades 3-6
‘Mystery Illness Strikes the Sanchez Household’ (simulated health hazard) Grades 6-9
Sponsor: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Contact: http://eohsi.rutgers.edu.rc/ or http://www.eohsi.rutgers.edu/rc/toxrap/index.htm
Additional Instructional Resources
Assessment Ideas
The student will:
- brainstorm ways to recognize products that promote claims that could be false.
- list fads both current and in the past.
- explain why some fads may be harmful.
- explain the effect peer pressure has on the popularity of some of the fads.
- list three ways to preserve the environment and conserve our resources.
- plan a “Keep Our School Beautiful” day.
- examine how to improve the visual environment in your school.
- list five service learning opportunities.
