Health Education K-12
Curriculum Overview:
South Brunswick students need to be health literate, especially in response to all the input they receive from the media and society. As rapidly changing and evolving disciplines, health and physical education must look and be different from the old “hygiene and gym” classes of years past. While distinct disciplines, they must both reinforce the concept of “wellness”.
Our District’s Health curriculum is firmly based on this teaching of “personal and mental wellness”. Our goal is to help students learn the lessons of wellness and to encourage them to take responsibility for their own health and to make informed choices about their health now–and in the future.
Standards:
A complete copy of the standards for Health Education K-5 may be found at: https://www.nj.gov/education/cccs/2020/
2.1 Personal and Mental Health
2. 2 Physical Wellness
2.3 Safety
National SHAPE Standards can be found here: https://www.shapeamerica.org/standards/pe/
Standard 1: The physically literate individual demonstrates competency in a variety of motor skills and movement patterns.
Standard 2: The physically literate individual applies knowledge of concepts, principles, strategies and tactics related to movement and performance.
Standard 3: The physically literate individual demonstrates the knowledge and skills to achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical activity and fitness.
Standard 4: The physically literate individual exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others.
Standard 5: The physically literate individual recognizes the value of physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression and/or social interaction.
The 10 Practices of Comprehensive Health and Physical Education - NJCHPE Standards 2022
- Acting as responsible and contributing members of society.
- Building and maintaining healthy relationships.
- Communicating clearly and effectively (verbal and nonverbal).
- Resolving conflict.
- Attending to personal health, emotional, social and physical well-being.
- Engaging in an active lifestyle.
- Making decisions.
- Managing-self.
- Setting goals.
- Using technology tools responsibly.
Content Overview:
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The statement of philosophy (above) introduces the curriculum. It forms the foundation upon which the health education program is based and the major concept around which it is written: wellness.
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All of the topics that are studied are components of wellness. They range from personal and mental wellness, physical wellness and safety.
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While the School District covers the core content and stresses the core values, it is understood that the teaching of wellness and values is a joint responsibility—shared with the families. Students are encouraged throughout health education to discuss topics of wellness with their parents and other trusted adults.
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You will notice that most topics are “revisited” over time—with good reason.
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Each time a topic is reintroduced, it is taught with greater complexity and geared for more in-depth understanding based on children’s developmental levels. An example of this is the topic of nutrition, which is taught in second grade (the USDA’s MyPlate and healthy choices), in sixth grade (body image) and once again in high school (weight and eating disorders).
Click here to view the SBSD Health Education Topics by Grade Level
COMING SOON:
The following are letters that will be shared in school by the health teacher that inform parents of content and ability to opt-out when topics are approaching in the curriculum pacing. You will need to follow the directions in the letter as you are permitted to opt out of portions of the curriculum not in its entirety.
Grade 2 Health
Grade 5 Health
Grade 6 Health
Grade 8 Health
Grade 9 Health (Coming soon)
Grade 11 Health (Coming soon)
Grade 12 Health (Coming soon)