Health: More Than Healthy Food?

mwojtowicz

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Health: More Than Healthy Food? Lesson Plan

Students will be able to define health as a combination of physical, mental, and social well-being and identify examples of each type of health in their lives.

Understanding health broadly helps students make informed choices for their overall well-being, develop empathy, and build resilience. This foundational knowledge empowers them to lead healthier, more balanced lives.

Audience

5th and 6th Grade Students

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and a quick sorting activity.

Materials

What is Health? Slide Deck, Health Habits Sorting Activity, and Markers or pens

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Review the What is Health? Slide Deck and Health Habits Sorting Activity to familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print and cut out the cards from the Health Habits Sorting Activity. Have enough sets for small groups of 3-4 students.

Step 1

Warm-Up: What Comes to Mind?

3 minutes

Begin by projecting the first slide of the What is Health? Slide Deck.
- Ask students: "When you hear the word 'health,' what's the first thing that comes to your mind?"
- Facilitate a brief whole-class share-out, writing student responses on the board or chart paper. Expected answers: healthy food, exercise, not being sick.

Step 2

Introducing the Three Pillars of Health

5 minutes

Transition to the next slides of the What is Health? Slide Deck, introducing physical, mental, and social health.
- Briefly explain each pillar with clear, age-appropriate language and examples.
- Physical Health: How your body works (eating well, exercising, sleeping, hygiene).
- Mental Health: How you think and feel (managing emotions, problem-solving, feeling calm).
- Social Health: How you connect with others (making friends, communicating, being a good listener).
- Emphasize that all three are connected and equally important for overall well-being.

Step 3

Activity: Health Habits Sort

5 minutes

Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group).
- Hand out one set of Health Habits Sorting Activity cards to each group.
- Instruct groups to sort the cards into three categories: Physical Health, Mental Health, and Social Health.
- Circulate and provide support, prompting discussions within groups about why they are placing cards in certain categories.

Step 4

Wrap-Up & Reflection

2 minutes

Bring the class back together.
- Ask each group to share one card they found interesting or challenging to categorize and explain their reasoning.
- Project the final slide of the What is Health? Slide Deck.
- Conclude by reiterating that being healthy means taking care of our bodies, our minds, and our relationships.

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Slide Deck

What is Health, Really?

It's more than just healthy food and exercise!

Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask: 'When you hear the word 'health,' what's the first thing that comes to your mind?' Write responses on the board. (Expected: exercise, food, not sick)

Physical Health

How your body feels and works.

Examples:

Eating nutritious food
Getting enough sleep
Exercising regularly
Practicing good hygiene (like washing hands!)

Explain that health is like a three-legged stool – all parts are needed for it to be strong. Introduce the first leg.

Mental Health

How you think, feel, and cope with challenges.

Examples:

Managing your emotions
Learning new things
Solving problems
Feeling calm and happy sometimes

Introduce the second leg. Explain that feelings and thoughts are part of health too.

Social Health

How you connect and interact with others.

Examples:

Making and keeping friends
Communicating clearly
Being a good listener
Working well in groups

Introduce the third leg. Emphasize that how we interact with others is also part of being healthy.

All Together Now!

Physical, Mental, and Social health are all connected and equally important for your overall well-being. Let's see how different actions fit into these categories!

Reinforce that all three are connected. Explain the sorting activity. Divide students into small groups and distribute the 'Health Habits Sorting Activity' cards. Guide them to categorize the cards into Physical, Mental, and Social health. Circulate and support.

Your Health Journey

Being healthy means taking care of your:

Body (Physical Health)
Mind (Mental Health)
Relationships (Social Health)

What's one new thing you learned about health today?

Bring the class back together. Ask groups to share one interesting or challenging card and their reasoning. Conclude by summarizing the main takeaway.

Activity

Health Habits Sorting Activity

Instructions: Cut out the cards below. Work with your group to sort each habit into one of the three categories: Physical Health, Mental Health, or Social Health.

Health Habit Cards

Card 1	Card 2	Card 3
Eating vegetables	Reading a book	Playing with friends

Card 4	Card 5	Card 6
Getting 8 hours of sleep	Talking about your feelings	Helping a classmate

Card 7	Card 8	Card 9
Washing your hands	Practicing deep breathing	Listening to others

Card 10	Card 11	Card 12
Running and playing	Solving a puzzle	Sharing your toys

Card 13	Card 14	Card 15
Drinking water	Drawing a picture	Working in a group