Defining Health

This is a Think/Pair/Share activity. The students complete a free write on several posed health-related questions. This allows them to develop their own definitions of health and of what it means to be healthy. Individual responses are shared in small groups and with the class.

Science in Human and Social Perspective:
Personal choice concerning fitness and health involves multiple factors. Personal goals, peer and social pressures, ethnic and religious beliefs, and understanding of biological consequences can all influence decisions about health practices.

Science in Human and Social Perspective:
Personal choice concerning fitness and health involves multiple factors. Personal goals, peer and social pressures, ethnic and religious beliefs, and understanding of biological consequences can all influence decisions about health practices.

Think/Pair/Share- Pose the following questions to the class. They can be posted on an overhead transparency or chalk board so they are visible to all students. They are also available on the student web page. Allow the students at least 15 to 20 minutes to write freely without interruption.
1.What is health?
2.Are you healthy?
3.Is your family healthy? List any health factors observed in your family:
4.Do you see any patterns of health throughout the generations?
5.What factors have affected your health or your families health?

Students share their answers in small groups. Allow the students 10 minutes to discuss their answers and develop a group definition.

Student Led Discussion:
Groups will share their answers with the class. This discussion should be student led. Student responses should be posted in the classroom so that their visibility stimulates further discussion.

Teacher led class discussion:
Using the student generated responses, led students to categorize the responses. These will probabily include the following topics. If not, elicit these responses:
diet and nutrition
medicine and availability of medical care
religion
peer/ family influences

Written student responses:
Students write a final essay on what health means to them and compare that to the definition that was generated by the class.

a. The teacher will assess the students' participation in the group discussions.
b. Student essays can be assessed to determine students' current understandings of health. Essays should reflect a development of the students' definition of health, moving from the definition developed individually to a more complete version of the same definition based on class discussion. Essays can also be evaluated for completeness and accuracy, as determined by the teacher.

Students survey family, friends, and community members to determine the general feeling about health care in the community. Students will pose the question "Is health care adequate/available in your community?" Assessment of this activity can be in the form of a class discussion or a formal written presentation (essay, poster, oral presentation).

World Wide Web could be accessible to students for use as a research tool in their surveys.