Curriculum

Curriculum refers to the learning experiences that are provided to students in order to meet the rigorous standards in health. Effective health curriculum is comprehensive, sequential and developmentally appropriate (addresses physical, social, emotional, environmental, cultural dimensions), relevant, and participatory.

Colorado State Academic Standards in Comprehensive Health provide the framework for what to teach and include three main concept areas:

Physical and Personal Wellness
Emotional and Social Wellness
Prevention and Risk Management

Elementary Curriculum:
At the elementary level, the health education curriculum is implemented by the classroom teacher.

Secondary Curriculum:
Students are required to have .5 units of study in Health in high school to graduate from the Cherry Creek School District. Health education is highly recommended for middle school students.

Set a personal goal regarding nutrition
Examine how nutrition impacts physical health
Understand the relationship among physical, social and emotional dimensions of health
Identify healthy relationship behaviors
Comprehend the concept of stress and stress management
Identify positive and negative uses of medicines
Demonstrate refusal skills to avoid using tobacco
Demonstrate conflict resolution skills to prevent escalation to violence

5th Grade Key Concepts and Topics

Engage in healthy eating behaviors
Explain the human reproductive system
Describe changes during puberty
Demonstrate communication skills with trusted adults around health topics
Understand transmission of disease
Analyze factors that influence emotional health
Access valid information about tobacco, prescription medicine, and over-the-counter drugs
Demonstrate behaviors that reduce bullying and violence
Demonstrate basic first aid and safety procedures

6th-8th Grade Focus Concepts and Skills

Nutrition
Family and peer relationships
Personal boundaries and safety strategies
Long-term benefits of healthy behaviors
Mental and emotional health
Avoiding alcohol and tobacco usage
Self-management to avoid and prevent violence
Safety hazards
Accessing valid and reliable health information
Cyber-safety

Social and cultural messages about food
Compare and contrast healthy and unhealthy relationships (family, peers, and dating)
Internal and external influences on sexual decision making
Define sexually transmitted diseases and infections
Communicating personal needs and limits
Managing stress
Consequences of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs
Role of peers, family and media in safety

Refusal skills and personal boundaries around sexual activity
Benefits of sexual abstinence
Common STDs
Disease and unintended pregnancy prevention
Resources for mental and emotional health
Influence of culture, media and others on mental and emotional health
Decision-making process to be alcohol and drug-free
Advocacy for positive school and community environments

High School Focus Concepts and Skills

Benefits of a healthy diet, consequences of unhealthy nutrition
Family, peer and media influence on physical activity and food choices
Personal responsibility for physical and emotional health
Decision-making skills
Refusal skills
Goal-setting skills
Self-management skills
Communication skills
Factors that influence individuals’ use or non-use of alcohol and other drugs
Understanding factors that lead to violence and violence prevention
Sexual assault, mutual consent and sexual violence prevention
Reporting sexual violence
Cyber-safety
Self-harming behavior
How to seek help for health concerns
Interrelationship between physical, psychological, emotional and social health
Stress management
Advocacy for the health of self and others
Accessing accurate and reliable resources and information about health topics and concerns

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In this Section

Curriculum

Kindergarten Key Concepts and Topics

1st Grade Key Concepts and Topics

2nd Grade Key Concepts and Topics

3rd Grade Key Concepts and Topics

4th Grade Key Concepts and Topics

5th Grade Key Concepts and Topics

6th-8th Grade Focus Concepts and Skills

High School Focus Concepts and Skills