Description
Part I. Setting the Foundation for Skills-Based Health Education
Chapter 1. Understanding a Skills-Based Approach
Considering Sociocultural and Sociopolitical Context
Alignment With the 2024 SHAPE America National Health Education Standards
Skill Development and Assessment
Participatory Methods
Functional Information
Chapter 2. Designing Your Health Curriculum
Six Steps of Curriculum Design
Using This Text
Part II. Skills in the Classroom
Chapter 3. Accessing Valid and Reliable Resources
Skill Overview
Skill Cues
Unit Outline (Grades K-2)
Assessment (Grades K-2)
Lesson Plans (Grades K-2)
Lesson 1: A Healthy Me!
Lesson 2: Health Detectives
Lesson 3: Who Are Trusted and Supportive Adults?
Lesson 4: What? When? Who? How?
Lesson 5: Final Assessment
Unit Outline (Grades 3-5)
Assessment (Grades 3-5)
Lesson Plans (Grades 3-5)
Lesson 1: Finding Information and Resources I Can Trust
Lesson 2: Puberty is AMAZEing
Lesson 3: Reducing the Stigma Around Menstruation
Lesson 4: Resources in My Community
Lesson 5: Final Assessment
Chapter 4. Analyzing Influences on Health Behaviors
Skill Overview
Skill Cues
Unit Outline (Grades K-2)
Assessment (Grades K-2)
Lesson Plans (Grades K-2)
Lesson 1: Influences All Around
Lesson 2: I Celebrate, You Celebrate
Lesson 3: Influences in Stories and Shows
Lessons 4: Influences in Our School
Lesson 5: Final Assessment
Unit Outline (Grades 3-5)
Assessment (Grades 3-5)
Lesson Plans (Grades 3-5)
Lesson 1: What Influences Me?
Lesson 2: Media Messages
Lesson 3: Peer Pressure
Lessons 4: Managing Influences
Lesson 5: Final Assessment
Chapter 5. Using Interpersonal Communication for Health and Wellness
Skill Overview
Skill Cues
Unit Outline (Grades K-2)
Assessment (Grades K-2)
Lesson Plans (Grades K-2)
Lesson 1: My Body, My Boundaries
Lesson 2: I-Statements and Boundaries
Lesson 3: Affirmations and Setting Boundaries
Lesson 4: Safe and Unsafe Secrets
Lesson 5: Final Assessment
Unit Outline (Grades 3-5)
Assessment (Grades 3-5)
Lesson Plans (Grades 3-5)
Lesson 1: Components of Communication
Lesson 2: I Can Make I-Statements
Lesson 3: Managing Emotions and Conflict
Lesson 4: Bullying or Conflict?
Lesson 5: Final Assessment
Chapter 6. Decision-Making for Positive Health Outcomes
Skill Overview
Skill Cues
Unit Outline (Grades K-2)
Assessment (Grades K-2)
Lesson Plans (Grades K-2)
Lesson 1: Choices, Choices, Choices!
Lesson 2: Let’s Be Active in Small Spaces
Lesson 3: Let’s Be Active in Large Spaces
Lesson 4: Be Active and Stay Safe
Lesson 5: Final Assessment
Unit Outline (Grades 3-5)
Assessment (Grades 3-5)
Lesson Plans (Grades 3-5)
Lesson 1: Being a Decision Maker
Lesson 2: My Decisions, Your Decisions
Lesson 3: Digital Wellness—In Real Life
Lesson 4: Decision-Making, Your Way
Lesson 5: Final Assessment
Chapter 7. Goal-Setting for Well-Being
Skill Overview
Skill Cues
Unit Outline (Grades K-2)
Assessment (Grades K-2)
Lesson Plans (Grades K-2)
Lesson 1: The Magnificent Power of Goals!
Lesson 2: I Can SET GOALS!
Lesson 3: Mix It Up and Try Something New
Lesson 4: Creating Our Plate–Adding Variety to Meals and Snacks
Lesson 5: Final Assessment
Unit Outline (Grades 3-5)
Assessment (Grades 3-5)
Lesson Plans (Grades 3-5)
Lesson 1: Let’s SET GOALS!
Lesson 2: Hygiene Habits: Improving Health of Self and Others
Lesson 3: Sleep Hygiene for a Healthier Me
Lesson 4: How Environment Affects Health
Lesson 5: Final Assessment
Chapter 8. Practicing Health Behaviors
Skill Overview
Skill Cues
Unit Outline (Grades K-2)
Assessment (Grades K-2)
Lesson Plans (Grades K-2)
Lesson 1: I AM . . . Healthy!
Lesson 2: Pedestrian Safety
Lesson 3: Bus and Car Safety
Lesson 4: Household Poisons Safety
Lesson 5: Final Assessment
Unit Outline (Grades 3-5)
Assessment (Grades 3-5)
Lesson Plans (Grades 3-5)
Lesson 1: My Health in Many Parts
Lesson 2: Food and Function: How Fruits and Veggies Support Wellness
Lesson 3: Food and Function: The Role of Hydration in Supporting Wellness
Lesson 4: Food and Function: How Fats and Proteins Keep us Going and Support Wellness
Lesson 5: Final Assessment
Chapter 9. Advocating for Yourself and Others
Skill Overview
Skill Cues
Unit Outline (Grades K-2)
Assessment (Grades K-2)
Lesson Plans (Grades K-2)
Lesson 1: Advocacy Is a Superpower!
Lesson 2: Be a “Soaper” Hero
Lesson 3: Being a Germ Fighter
Lesson 4: Germ Fighter Stations
Lesson 5: Final Assessment
Unit Outline (Grades 3-5)
Assessment (Grades 3-5)
Lesson Plans (Grades 3-5)
Lesson 1: A Is for Advocacy
Lesson 2: Examining the Impact of Substance Use (Part 1)
Lesson 3: Examining the Impact of Substance Use (Part 2)
Lesson 4: Who Plays a Role?
Lessons 5: Final Assessment
Holly Alperin, EdM, MCHES, is a clinical associate professor at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) with over 20 years of experience in both public health and education. As a faculty member and program coordinator of the department of kinesiology’s health and physical education teacher preparation program, she focuses on preparing preservice educators to teach using a skills-based approach. Prior to UNH, she worked at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in a variety of roles that supported schools in their efforts to strengthen policies and increase capacity around school health education and programs, school nutrition programs, and professional learning experiences for educators.
Through her work at the local, state, national, and international levels, Alperin provides guidance to schools and community programs as they work to create a culture of health and well-being for each young person. Additionally, her scholarly interests include the socialization of health educators, equity and justice in health education and health promotion programs, and examination of health education and health promotion programs for youth populations across the globe. In addition to other volunteer roles, she is a past vice president of health education for New Hampshire Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; served on the task force to revise the National Health Education Standards; and is a past chair of the Health Education Council for SHAPE America.
Alperin is completing her doctorate in education from Plymouth State University. She received her master’s degree in education in policy, planning, and administration from Boston University and her bachelor’s degree in health education and health promotion from Central Michigan University. She holds the Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) credential. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and two daughters. In her free time, you can likely find her in the mountains or at the beach enjoying the best New England has to offer.
Sarah Benes, EdD, MPH, CHES, is an associate professor and the coordinator of the school health education program at Southern Connecticut State University. She earned a bachelor’s degree (BS) in athletic training at University of Connecticut, a master’s degree (EdM) in human movement from Boston University in 2006, and a doctorate (EdD) in curriculum and teaching from Boston University in 2010. In 2021, she also completed a master’s degree in public health. She worked as a graduate assistant athletic trainer and an assistant athletic trainer at Boston University before transitioning to teaching full time and running the physical and health education programs for six years. Benes then held a position as an associate clinical professor in the School of Health Sciences at Merrimack College.
Benes’ research and scholarship interests include skills-based health education, equity and justice in health education, supporting students with disabilities in health education, physical activity in the classroom, and enhancing school-based physical and health education programming. She is a past president of SHAPE America, after serving on the board for three years and serving as chair of the Health Education Council. She has done curriculum development with many districts in Massachusetts, has conducted skills-based health education professional development in multiple states across the country and internationally, and has written more than a dozen health education presentations and publications. She currently lives in Natick, Massachusetts, with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys yoga and meditation, reading, hiking, and going on adventures with her family.