Environmental and Community

Health

Kelly KomaraJoe Paxton

Table of Contents Unit Description Unit Rationale Unit Plan Goals Unit Plan Objectives National Health Education

Standard Performance Indicators

Unit Special Considerations Classroom Ground Rules Unit Block Plan Lesson Plans Unit Assessment Unit Resources

Unit Description

Content Area: Environmental and Community Health

Skills: Accessing Valid Information, Products and Services; Advocacy

Grade: Middle School Number of Lessons: 3

Unit Rationale In 1990, American industry emitted more than 2.4

billion pounds of toxic pollutants into the atmosphere (CDC, 2001). In 1991, 98 areas exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended levels for ozone, and an estimated 140 million Americans lived in those areas (CDC, 2001). An estimated 50,000 to 120,000 premature deaths are associated with exposure to air pollutants (CDC, 2001). It is important for students to be aware of this information and the dangers associated with environmental and community health matters as well as be able to access valid community and environmental health information, products and services and advocate for community and environmental health.

Reference:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2001, April). Available: www.cdc.gov/nceh/asthma/brochures/airpollu.htm

Unit Plan Goals The students will

comprehend concepts related to environmental and community health.

The students will demonstrate the ability to assess valid environmental and community health information, products, and services, and advocate for environmental and community health.

Unit Plan Objectives

Lesson 1: Responsible for Recycling Content:

A student will explain the importance of conserving the earth’s resources and environment.

Skills: A student will describe their

community’s recycling program

A student will advocate community recycling

Unit Plan Objectives

Lesson 2: Accessing Community Health Resources Content: None Skills:

A student will describe types of health resources available in the community

A student will identify valid resources for help with health concerns.

Unit Plan Objectives

Lesson 3: Waste Not Content:

A student will identify the relationship between solid wastes and the quality of the environment

A student will identify ways that they can reduce or reuse materials

Skill: A student will advocate the

reduction of waste materials in the environment

National Health Education Standards Performance Indicators

Lesson 1 Content

Students will be able to comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention.

Skills Demonstrate the ability to influence and

support others in making positive health choices

Demonstrate the ability to locate health products and services

Lesson 2 Content

Students will be able to comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention

Skill Analyze how media influences the

selection of health information and products

National Health Education Standards Performance Indicators

Lesson 3 Content

Students will be able to comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention.

Skill: Identify barriers to effective

communication of information, ideas, feelings, and opinions about health issues.

Unit Special Considerations

When teaching students about environmental and community health it is important to let the students know that this information affects everyone. Nobody is immune to the problems presented in environmental and community health. It is also important to know that some students may know or be related to an individual that may work for a known polluter in the community, thus not to point out any specific polluters in the community. Students should be encouraged to respect the thoughts and feelings of others related to environmental and community health.

Unit Ground Rules

Some individuals choose to help the environment and others do not, therefore it is important to respect the feelings and opinions of others when discussing these topics.

Unit Block Plan

Lesson Title

Concept Skill

1. Recycling Conserving Resources

Advocacy, Accessing Valid Health Information, Products and Services

2 Accessing Community Health Resources

Community Health Resources

Accessing Valid Health Information, Products and Services

3 Waste Not Reducing waste to protect the environment

Advocacy

Lesson Plans

Unit Assessment Strategies

Content and Skill Advocacy

Performance task: Writing PSA’s to Advocate for Recycling

Performance task: Letters to the Editor to Support Community Recycling

Accessing Valid Health Information, Products, and Services

Performance task: Creating Community Health Resource Directories

Unit Resources

Student www.healthteacher.com

Teacher www.healthteacher.com www.cdc.gov