Lesson 1.2: Developing Skills for Healthy Living

Overview

This lesson focuses on learning about each component of health literacy, how to find reliable and valid health information, and how to use communication skills to advocate for health.

Learning Targets

  • LO6: Explain what health literacy is and why it is important.
  • LO7: Explain each of the eight health skills.
  • LO8: Explain the difference between reliable and valid health information.
  • LO9: Describe advocacy using a real-world example related to health.
  • LO10: Apply effective verbal communication skills to enhance health.

Preparation

For the Warm-Up Activity: Write the Journal Question on the board or identify (and copy as needed) the worksheets you plan to use:

For the Content Focus: Make copies of the Lesson 1.2 Note-Taking Guide. Project the Lesson 1.2 PowerPoint slides.

For the Lesson Focus: Copy the Lesson 1.2 Skill-Building Challenge Worksheet: Healthy Communication. If you are choosing to pair students for the skill-building challenge, prepare student groupings if desired.

Option: Create an example brochure of the Lesson Focus: Healthy Communication.

Warm-Up Activity

Select a warm-up activity to help get your class focused and on task.

  • Journal Question: How difficult or easy is it for you to say “no” when a friend wants you to do something unhealthy or risky like drinking alcohol, vaping, or texting while driving? Why do you think it is easy or hard for you? Explain your answer using an example from your own life if possible.
    • Option: Write or project the question and have students respond in their journal or on their “bell ringer” sheet as they enter class.
    • Option: Have students discuss the question with a partner or in a small group.
  • Vocabulary Review: Have students work individually, in pairs, or in small groups to complete the Lesson 1.2 Vocabulary Review Worksheet
  • Quiz: Have students complete the Lesson 1.2 Quiz to assess their prior knowledge.
    • Option: Collect the quiz and use it alongside a posttest to demonstrate student learning.
    • Option: Have students share their answers with a partner and then go over the answers together as a class.

Lesson Content

Review the content from the textbook lesson.

Lesson Focus: Healthy Communication

  1. Give each student a copy of the Lesson 1.2 Skill-Building Challenge Worksheet: Healthy Communication.
  2. Option: Have students work individually to complete the worksheet.
    Option: Assign students to work with a partner to research on the concept of wellness. Each partner should find at least two reliable sources of information and work together to create their brochure with a variety of valid and reliable resources.
  3. Once students have created their brochures, ask them to partner up with a different student or pair of students. Have each group share their brochure and ask the groups to discuss any different information they may have learned from the other group's brochure and presentation.

Challenge Activity

Have students needing an additional challenge work on the following Thinking Critically task.

Select the one healthy living skill that you think is the most important. Write a short speech that convinces others why your skill choice is the most important. Include three supporting details or facts to defend your point of view.

Reflection and Summary

Review the critical content from today’s lesson. Review the learning targets and ask students to answer each question posed.

Can you...

  • Explain what health literacy is and why it is important?

    A person with good health literacy can find and understand basic health information and can use that information to make healthy decisions.

  • Explain each of the eight health skills?
    1. Developing basic health knowledge
    2. Analyzing what influences your health
    3. Accessing valid and reliable health information and services
    4. Communicating your health needs
    5. Making healthy decisions
    6. Setting healthy goals
    7. Practicing healthy behaviors
    8. Advocating for good health for yourself and others

  • Explain the difference between reliable and valid health information?

    Valid information is logical and factually accurate. Reliable information is consistent (similar) across sources and is dependable.

  • Describe advocacy using a real-world example related to health?

    Advocacy is the act or process of supporting or promoting a cause or an issue. For example, whenever you go to see a doctor, you have the opportunity to advocate for your needs. You can do this by being prepared for your visit.

  • Apply effective verbal communication skills to enhance health?

    Verbal communication skills are necessary to health to effectively communicate how feelings to a guardian, doctor, or others about personal needs or wants from a person or situation. These skills can help with avoiding or managing conflicts in relationships.

Assessment

Complete one or more of the following assessment tasks for this lesson.

Take It Home

Explain the eight skills for healthy living to a parent or guardian and discuss how family influences each skill. Identify one skill that the family wants to work on, set a SMART goal together to help you reach this goal, and make an agreement with family members to support each other in reaching the goal.