Lesson Plan
Healthy Habits Blueprint
Students will explore the interconnectedness of physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and emotional well-being, learning how daily choices impact their overall health. The objective is to empower students to identify and adopt sustainable healthy habits, promoting energy, focus, and a positive mood throughout their academic and personal lives.
Understanding healthy habits is crucial for students to thrive academically and personally. This lesson empowers them with knowledge and practical tools to make informed choices that positively impact their energy, focus, and emotional well-being.
Audience
K-12 Students
Time
60-90 minutes (adaptable)
Approach
Interactive discussion, guided activities, and a personal project will foster understanding and application.
Materials
Healthy Habits Blueprint Slide Deck, My Daily Habits Worksheet, Healthy Choices Activity Cards, and My Healthy Habit Project Guide
Prep
Review Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Healthy Habits Blueprint Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print copies of the My Daily Habits Worksheet for each student.
- Prepare the Healthy Choices Activity Cards (cut out if needed).
- Review the My Healthy Habit Project Guide and understand the project expectations.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What Fuels You?
10 minutes
- Begin by asking students: "What does 'healthy' mean to you?" Allow for a brief class share.
- Introduce the idea that health isn't just about food or exercise, but a blueprint for our whole lives. (Refer to Healthy Habits Blueprint Slide Deck - Slide 1)
Step 2
Introducing the Blueprint
15 minutes
- Present the core components of the Healthy Habits Blueprint: Physical Activity, Nutrition, Sleep, and Emotional Well-being. (Refer to Healthy Habits Blueprint Slide Deck - Slides 2-5)
- Facilitate a short discussion on why each component is important and how they are connected.
Step 3
My Daily Habits Worksheet
20 minutes
- Distribute the My Daily Habits Worksheet.
- Guide students through the worksheet, prompting them to reflect on their current habits in each blueprint area.
- Encourage honest self-assessment without judgment.
Step 4
Healthy Choices Activity
20 minutes
- Divide students into small groups.
- Distribute the Healthy Choices Activity Cards to each group.
- Instruct groups to categorize the cards under the four blueprint components and discuss why each choice is healthy or unhealthy.
- Bring the class back together for a brief debrief and share-out of interesting discussions. (Refer to Healthy Habits Blueprint Slide Deck - Slide 6)
Step 5
Introducing the Project: My Healthy Habit Goal
15 minutes
- Introduce the My Healthy Habit Project Guide.
- Explain that students will choose one area from the blueprint to focus on and set a personal, achievable healthy habit goal.
- Provide examples and answer any initial questions about the project. (Refer to Healthy Habits Blueprint Slide Deck - Slide 7)
Step 6
Cool Down: One Healthy Step
5 minutes
- Ask students to silently reflect on one small, healthy step they can take today or tomorrow based on what they learned.
- Have a few students share their
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Slide Deck
Healthy Habits Blueprint: Mind, Body, & Being
What does 'healthy' mean to you? How do your daily choices affect how you feel, think, and learn?
Greet students and start with the warm-up question. Encourage varied responses and validate all contributions. Transition to the idea of a holistic view of health.
Pillar 1: Physical Activity
Moving your body daily helps with:
- Energy levels
- Focus and concentration
- Strong bones and muscles
- Reducing stress
Think: What's your favorite way to move?
Introduce physical activity as the first pillar. Emphasize that it's not just about sports, but any movement. Ask students for examples of physical activity they enjoy.
Pillar 2: Nutrition
Eating a variety of healthy foods fuels your body and brain:
- Provides energy for school and play
- Helps you grow strong
- Keeps you focused
- Boosts your immune system
Think: What are some 'fuel' foods you love?
Discuss nutrition. Focus on the idea of 'fuel' for the body. Avoid specific diets and instead promote balanced eating. Ask students for examples of 'fuel' foods.
Pillar 3: Sleep
Getting enough rest is super important for:
- Your brain to process what you learned
- Your body to repair and grow
- Boosting your mood
- Helping you stay focused
Think: How do you feel when you haven't slept enough?
Explain the importance of sleep. Highlight its role in learning and mood. Ask students why they think sleep is so important for students.
Pillar 4: Emotional Well-being
Taking care of your feelings and thoughts helps you:
- Manage stress
- Build strong relationships
- Feel positive and resilient
- Understand yourself better
Think: What helps you feel calm or happy when you're stressed?
Introduce emotional well-being as the final, but equally important, pillar. Discuss how feelings are normal and how to manage them. Ask students for healthy ways they cope with big emotions.
Healthy Choices Activity
In your groups, you'll categorize different choices under our four blueprint pillars. Discuss: Is this choice healthy or unhealthy? Why?
Transition to the activity. Explain the grouping and what they'll be doing with the Healthy Choices Activity Cards.
My Healthy Habit Project
Time to put your learning into action! You'll choose one area from our blueprint and set a personal, achievable goal to build a healthy habit.
Introduce the project. Explain that they will choose ONE area to improve and set a personal goal. Emphasize 'achievable' and 'personal'.
Worksheet
My Daily Habits Worksheet
Name: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
We all have habits, some are super helpful, and some might need a little tweaking! Let's think about your daily routines and how they connect to our Healthy Habits Blueprint.
Pillar 1: Physical Activity
- How do you typically move your body each day? (e.g., playing sports, walking, dancing, gym class, recess)
- On average, how many minutes do you spend being active each day?
- What is one physical activity you enjoy doing?
- What is one small change you could make to be more active?
Pillar 2: Nutrition
- Describe what you typically eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. (No judgment, just describe!)
- Do you usually eat fruits and vegetables every day? If so, what are some of your favorites?
- How much water do you usually drink in a day? (Think about glasses or bottles)
- What is one small change you could make to eat or drink more healthily?
Pillar 3: Sleep
- What time do you usually go to bed on a school night?
- What time do you usually wake up on a school morning?
- On average, how many hours of sleep do you get each school night?
- What is one small change you could make to get more or better sleep?
Pillar 4: Emotional Well-being
- What are some things that make you feel happy or joyful?
- What do you do when you feel stressed, sad, or angry? (e.g., talk to someone, listen to music, draw)
- Do you have someone you can talk to when you have big feelings? Who?
- What is one small thing you could do to take better care of your feelings?
My Biggest Takeaway: From thinking about all these habits, what is one thing you learned about yourself or healthy living?
Activity
Healthy Choices Activity Cards
Instructions: Cut out each card below. In your groups, discuss whether each choice is healthy or unhealthy and under which pillar(s) of the Healthy Habits Blueprint it belongs: Physical Activity, Nutrition, Sleep, or Emotional Well-being.
| Card 1 | Card 2 |
|---|---|
| Playing tag at recess | Eating a balanced lunch with fruits and veggies |
| Pillar(s): Healthy/Unhealthy: Why: | Pillar(s): Healthy/Unhealthy: Why: |
| Card 3 | Card 4 |
|---|---|
| Staying up late to play video games | Talking to a trusted adult when you feel upset |
| Pillar(s): Healthy/Unhealthy: Why: | Pillar(s): Healthy/Unhealthy: Why: |
| Card 5 | Card 6 |
|---|---|
| Drinking water throughout the day | Spending an hour reading quietly before bed |
| Pillar(s): Healthy/Unhealthy: Why: | Pillar(s): Healthy/Unhealthy: Why: |
| Card 7 | Card 8 |
|---|---|
| Skipping breakfast to save time | Taking deep breaths when you feel anxious |
| Pillar(s): Healthy/Unhealthy: Why: | Pillar(s): Healthy/Unhealthy: Why: |
| Card 9 | Card 10 |
|---|---|
| Helping with chores around the house | Eating too many sugary snacks |
| Pillar(s): Healthy/Unhealthy: Why: | Pillar(s): Healthy/Unhealthy: Why: |
| Card 11 | Card 12 |
|---|---|
| Going for a walk with family | Watching TV right before trying to sleep |
| Pillar(s): Healthy/Unhealthy: Why: | Pillar(s): Healthy/Unhealthy: Why: |
| Card 13 | Card 14 |
|---|---|
| Practicing mindfulness or meditation | Spending several hours on social media |
| Pillar(s): Healthy/Unhealthy: Why: | Pillar(s): Healthy/Unhealthy: Why: |
| Card 15 | Card 16 |
|---|---|
| Eating a variety of colorful foods | Getting 8-10 hours of sleep most nights |
| Pillar(s): Healthy/Unhealthy: Why: | Pillar(s): Healthy/Unhealthy: Why: |
| Card 17 | Card 18 |
|---|---|
| Ignoring your feelings when you are sad | Learning a new skill or hobby you enjoy |
| Pillar(s): Healthy/Unhealthy: Why: | Pillar(s): Healthy/Unhealthy: Why: |
Project Guide
My Healthy Habit Project Guide
Name: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Goal: Adopt One Healthy Habit!
Now that you've explored the four pillars of the Healthy Habits Blueprint, it's time to put your learning into action! For this project, you will choose ONE specific healthy habit you want to work on and create a plan to implement it.
Project Steps:
Step 1: Choose Your Pillar & Habit (Due: [Date])
Based on what you learned and reflected on in the My Daily Habits Worksheet, choose ONE of the four pillars (Physical Activity, Nutrition, Sleep, or Emotional Well-being) and identify a specific, achievable healthy habit you want to adopt or improve.
Example Ideas:
- Physical Activity: Go for a 15-minute walk after school three times a week.
- Nutrition: Eat one piece of fruit with breakfast every day.
- Sleep: Turn off screens 30 minutes before bedtime.
- Emotional Well-being: Practice deep breathing for 5 minutes when feeling stressed.
My Chosen Pillar:
My Specific Healthy Habit Goal:
Why is this habit important to you? How will it help your mind, body, or being?
Step 2: Develop Your Action Plan (Due: [Date])
How will you make this habit happen? Think about the steps you need to take and any challenges you might face.
-
What steps will you take to achieve your habit goal? (List at least 3 specific actions)
-
When and where will you practice this habit? (Be specific!)
-
What challenges might you face? (e.g., forgetting, lack of time, feeling tired)
-
How will you overcome these challenges? (Strategies to stay on track)
Step 3: Track Your Progress (Due: [Date])
You will track your progress for one week. Create a simple chart or journal to record if you met your goal each day. You can use checkmarks, happy/sad faces, or write a short note.
My Progress Tracker (Example - you can create your own!):
| Day | Did I achieve my habit today? | Notes/How I Felt |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | ||
| Tuesday | ||
| Wednesday | ||
| Thursday | ||
| Friday | ||
| Saturday | ||
| Sunday |
Step 4: Reflect & Share (Due: [Date])
After one week, reflect on your experience.
-
How did it feel to work on your new healthy habit?
-
What did you learn about yourself during this project?
-
Do you plan to continue this habit? Why or why not?
-
Share your experience with a small group or the class (optional, but encouraged!). What advice would you give to someone trying to adopt a new healthy habit?
Assessment Criteria:
- Clearly identified healthy habit goal (Step 1)
- Detailed and realistic action plan (Step 2)
- Consistent tracking of progress (Step 3)
- Thoughtful reflection on the experience (Step 4)