Ninth Grade Curriculum Resources
Standard of Learning
9.2 The student will analyze and evaluate the relationship among healthy behaviors, disease prevention and control, and comprehensive wellness. Key concepts/skills include:
- participation in activities that improve the cardiovascular system;
- development of a personal plan for remaining free of communicable diseases;
- recognition of the value of proper nutrition, rest, and regular activity.
Understanding the Standard
The student will analyze the value of proper nutrition, rest, and regular participation in activities that improve cardiovascular health.
Essential Knowledge and Skills
The student will:
- identify how eating habits affect personal health.
- recognize how much sleep teenagers need. (8 to 10 hours)
- identify adverse health effects of lack of sleep. (linked to the rise in obesity; lowers growth hormone which controls the body's proportions of fat and muscle; blood studies show impaired glucose tolerance, or a pre-diabetic state; sleep is when the brain rehearses recently-learned information, so deep sleep improves memory and one's ability to learn; lowers the body's ability to fight infection)
- describe the psychological and physiological benefits of physical activity.
- identify the health benefits of regular physical activity for teenagers and for a lifetime.
- provide examples of cardiovascular activities.
- describe how a healthy cardiovascular system improves personal health.
Sample Lessons
About All You Can Eat: Feast or Famine
Design an experiment to test if Pima Indians develop diabetes because of genetics or diet.
Sponsor: PBS
One class period
http://www.pbs.org/teachersource (select Health & Fitness - High School - Diet & Nutrition)
Free
A "Heart"-y Look at Diet
Grades 9-12
Explores how diet is related to heart disease.
Sponsor: PBS
Two-four class periods
http://www.pbs.org/teachersource (select Health & Fitness - High School - Diet & Nutrition)
Free
Lifetime Health and Fitness Project
Grade(s): 9-12
The lesson will need to be done at your school's computer lab. The students are going to be in groups of 4 and are going to explore the internet about diets, physical fitness and effects of being overweight, cooking healthy and life time activities, and effects of drugs/alcohol/tobacco.
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/PECILifetimeHealthAndFitnessProject912.htm
Free
Motivating Youth to Get More Exercise
Grades 9-12
Discusses consequences of being overweight. Develop strategies to be more physically active.
Sponsor: PBS - NOW with Bill Moyers
Two-four class periods
http://www.pbs.org/now/printable/classroom_verb_print.html
Free
Nutrition Decision
Grade 6-8
Research and determine nutritional needs of young children, teenagers, and adults. Compile nutrition portfolio. Assume role of hospital dietitian and plan meals for patients.
Sponsor: PBS and Children's Hospital
Six-eight class periods
http://www.pbs.org/teachersource (select Health & Fitness - High School - Diet & Nutrition)
Free
Soft Drink Sales in Schools
Grades 9-12
Analyzes sugar content in soda and physical activity needed to burn these calories. Students formulate position on soft drink sales in school.
Sponsor: PBS - NOW with Bill Moyers
Two-four class periods
http://www.pbs.org/teachersource (select Health & Fitness - High School - Diet & Nutrition)
Free
Sports Nutrition for Adolescents
Grades 9-12
Promotes healthful nutrition to students participating in school or community-based athletics.
--Sports Drinks
--Sports Bars and Energy Foods
--Sports Diet
--Protein Power
--Recovery Carbs
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Department of Education
http://www.pde.state.pa.us/food_nutrition
Straight from the Heart
Grade(s): K-12
The main objectives of this mini-teach are to define and demonstrate the functions of the heart; observe the vibration of a match due to the pulsation of blood in the wrist; to construct a simple stethoscope and use it to listen to your heartbeat; to measure your heart rate (pulse); to compare your heart rate with your partner's heart rate; and to calculate the number of times your heart beats in one hour.
http://www.iit.edu/~smile/bi9514.html
Free
Thin Is In
Grades 6-8
Learn to be smart and healthy consumers, to make wise health decisions, and to create original commercials that promote healthy living.
Sponsor: PBS and Children's Hospital
Two-four class periods
http://www.pbs.org/teachersource (select Health & Fitness - High School - Diet & Nutrition)
Free
You Are What You Eat
Grades 6-8
Explores how social class might affect personal health, understanding of nutritional needs, and methods for community change.
Source: PBS
Two-four class periods
http://www.pbs.org/peoplelikeus/resources/lessonplans/health.html
Free
Walk Across the Country
Grade(s): 6-12
This lesson plan insists on starting a physical fitness plan after hearing about the FDA approving a fat substitute for cooking.
http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/health/fitness/walkamerica.html
Free
Additional Instructional Resources
- Physical Education SOL
- American Cancer Society - "Generation Fit" - E-mail: rita.w.miller@cancer.org
- Calorie Control Council - http://www.caloriecontrol.org
- Nutrition Cafe - http://www.exhibits.pacsci.org
- Nutrition: Calorie Control - http://www.caloriecontrol.org
- Test Your Nutrition Knowledge - http://www.utexas.edu/courses/ntr311/testknow/testknow.html
Assessment Ideas
The student will:
- maintain a fitness log that includes daily food intake, amount of sleep, physical activities, and energy levels throughout the day.
- research the psychological and physiological benefits of physical activity.

