Grade 8 Health Connecticut standards Standards

Benefits of Physical Activity

Responsible Behavior

Physical Fitness

Engaging in Physical Activity

Applying Concepts and Strategies

Motor Skill Performance

Advocacy

Goal-Setting Skills

Decision-Making Skills

Communication Skills

Analyzing Internal and External Influences

Self-management of Healthy Behaviors

Accessing Health Information and Resources

Core Concepts

Advocacy

Goal-Setting Skills

Decision-Making Skills

Communication Skills

Analyzing Internal and External Influences

Self-Management of Healthy Behaviors

Accessing Health Information and Resources

Core Concepts: Physical, Mental, Emotional and Social Growth and Development

Explain the relationship between positive health behaviors and prevention of injury, illness, disease and premature death

Examine appropriate and healthy ways to express affection, love, friendship and concern.

Describe puberty and human reproduction as it relates to medically accurate comprehensive sexuality education

Discuss HIV/STD and hepatitis infections as it relates to higher risk behaviors, modes of transmission and prevention methods.

Describe the interrelationship of mental, emotional, social and physical health during preadolescence/adolescence

Explain how body image and self-esteem can impact decision-making regarding sexual behaviors.

Describe male and female reproductive and sexual systems and how they work.

Describe puberty and the process of human reproduction.

Describe the interrelationship of mental, emotional, social and physical health during puberty and adolescence.

Explain how health is influenced by the growth and interaction of body systems

Examine how families may change over time, and the impact these changes may have on the family structure and individual members.

Examine how families and peers can influence the health of adolescents

Compare and contrast the characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships.

Analyze the differences and similarities between friendships and romantic relationships.

Analyze ways in which the environment and personal health are interrelated

Analyze ways in which the physical, social, cultural and emotional environment and personal health are interrelated.

Use appropriate strategies to prevent/reduce risks and promote well-being

Describe healthy and unhealthy dating practices (e.g. values, culture, dating violence).

Differentiate between gender identity, sexual orientation, and the concept of gender roles.

Explain how appropriate health care can prevent premature death and disability

Explain the value of abstinence and/or choosing to abstain after having already engaged in sexual activity.

Identify the methods of contraception and how they work.

Describe how pathogens, family history, individual decisions and other risk factors are related to the cause or prevention of disease and other health problems

Identify and discuss the impact of teenage pregnancy and parenthood (e.g. future goals, financial, graduation, college).

Identify and discuss causes, modes of transmission, symptoms and prevention methods of communicable and non-communicable diseases (e.g. HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, diabetes, cancer, heart disease)

Demonstrate an understanding of what the body does, where the body moves, how the body performs the movement and relationships that occur in increasingly more complex movement and game forms

Use self, peer, teacher and technological resources to recognize and suggest performance improvements in self and others

Demonstrate knowledge of rules, safety practices and procedures as they apply to an increasing range of movement situations

Engage in an increased variety of moderate to vigorous developmentally appropriate physical activities on a regular basis

Apply an understanding of the connections between the purposes of movements and their effect on fitness

Apply the understanding of physical activity concepts to increasingly complex movement and game forms

Engage in a variety of appropriate physical activities during and outside of school that promote the development and improvement of physical fitness level

Demonstrate the skills and knowledge to assess levels of physical fitness and participate in activities that develop and maintain each component

Assess physiological responses to exercise associated with one's level of physical fitness and nutritional balance

Analyze the results of one or more components of health-related fitness

Plan a wellness program demonstrating anunderstanding of basic exercise (e.g., frequency, intensity, duration) and nutritional principles designed to meet personal wellness goals

Understand, participate in the development of, and follow classroom rules; follow activity-specific rules, safety practices and procedures; and apply safe practices, rules, procedures, etiquette and good sportsmanship in all physical activity settings

Continue to develop skills to participate productively in groups, in both cooperative and competitive activities

Develop strategies for including all persons, despite individual differences, in physical activity settings

Apply appropriate skills for resolving conflicts peacefully

Make decisions about participating in different physical activities based on feelings and interests

Use physical activity as a means of selfand group expression

Use physical activity as a positive opportunity for social and group interaction and development of leadership skills

Realize that physical activity and challenges present opportunities for personal growth

Value the skill competence that results from practice

Demonstrate willingness to attempt a variety of new physical activities

Analyze the validity of health information and the cost of products and services

Identify a trusted adult who can provide accurate information about puberty, adolescent development and sexuality.

Demonstrate the ability to locate and use resources from home, school and community that provide valid health information, products and services

Distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources of information on sexual health (e.g. internet and social media).

Examine factors that may influence the personal selection of health information, products and services

Identify the process for getting help and to report sexual harassment, sexual assault, child abuse, human trafficking, bullying and other types of violence.

Discuss the legal age of consent for sexual behaviors in Connecticut.

Demonstrate ways to obtain medically accurate information about comprehensive sexuality education from family, school personnel, health professionals and other responsible adults

Explain the importance of assuming responsibility for personal health behaviors

Demonstrate the ability to use self-control and express feelings appropriately.

Examine personal health status to determine needs

Identify strategies that an individual could use to abstain or delay sexual intercourse.

Describe abstinence and its role in maintaining sexual health.

Distinguish between safe, risky or harmful behaviors involving themselves and/or others

Apply strategies to improve or maintain personal and family health by examining influences, rules and legal responsibilities that affect decisions

Discuss the importance of personal responsibility for sexual behavior, including abstinence and sexual and reproductive health.

Examine and apply safety techniques to avoid and reduce injury and prevent disease

Identify strategies to use social media safely and respectfully.

Identify sexual exploitation and behaviors that are perceived as sexually coercive and resources to address these concerns.

Apply skills to manage stress

Identify and discuss the value of postponing sexual activity, the methods and effectiveness of contraception and ways to protect oneself from communicable diseases (e.g. STD/HIV).

Discuss ways in which an individual could respond in a situation when they or someone else is being bullied or harassed.

Examine the influence of family beliefs and cultural beliefs on personal health behaviors

Describe how internal and external influences affect sexual behavior, attitudes and decisions.

Analyze how media, technology and other factors influence personal health behaviors

Analyze a variety of external sources that may influence sexual decision making and sexual behavior (e.g. parents, family values, media, internet, culture, peers, society).

Analyze how family, school and peers influence personal health

Analyze the influence of alcohol and other drugs on sexual behavior and sexual health.

Identify and explain how the media may influence behaviors and decisions in regard to sexuality

Describe the ways in which technology can impact physical and emotional safety (e.g. internet, social media, texting).

Explain how sexual exploitation can occur on the internet, social media or other.

Apply effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills as a means of enhancing health

Discuss what influences ones decision to use various communication styles in developing and sustaining healthy relationships.

Demonstrate positive ways to communicate differences of opinion while maintaining relationships.

Use characteristics needed to be a responsible individual within their peer group, school, family and community

Identify and demonstrate verbal and non-verbal skills to refuse pressure to engage in sexual risk and other higher risk behaviors (e.g. smoking, drinking).

Identify ways in which emotions may affect communication, behavior and relationships

Demonstrate effective negotiation and refusal skills to avoid sexual risk behaviors.

Compare and contrast healthy ways to express needs, wants and feelings

Demonstrate how to communicate clear expectations, boundaries, personal safety strategies and clear limits on sexual behaviors.

Analyze healthy ways to express empathy for others.

Demonstrate ways to communicate care, empathy, respect and responsibility for others without bias, abuse, discrimination or harassment based on, but not limited to, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, ancestry, marital status, mental retardation, mental disorder and learning and/or physical disability

Discuss various forms of communication that constitutes sexual harassment and identify the process for reporting incidents of sexual harassment and other types of violence.

Use communication skills to build and maintain healthy relationships

Demonstrate avoidance, refusal and negotiation skills to enhance healthy relationships

Examine the possible causes of conflict among youth in schools and communities

Demonstrate strategies to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts in healthy ways and identify adults and peers who might assist, when appropriate

Use a decisionmaking process to enhance health

Describe the impact that external influences (e.g. partners, peers, family, community) have on decision-making about abstinence, sexual activity and sexual health.

Describe and analyze how health-related decisions are influenced by using resources from family, school and community

Predict how deciding to remain abstinent protects ones' sexual health.

Predict how decisions regarding health behaviors have consequences for themselves and others

Explain how the use of alcohol and other drugs impacts the decision to remain abstinent or be sexually active.

Use the goal-setting process to enhance health

Discuss how internal and external influences may affect goal-setting (e.g. personal choices, sexual health, behaviors, family, peers, community, culture).

Analyze various methods to accurately express health information, concepts and skills

Formulate a plan to engage in an experience of caring, compassion and advocating for others (e.g., community service).

Support a healthy position with accurate information

Describe the impact discrimination has on people and how to address bias and discrimination.

Analyze community agencies that advocate for healthy individuals, families and communities

Discuss the benefits of and advocate for developmentally appropriate, medically accurate sexual health education.

Encourage and support others in making positive health choices

Advocate for safe environments that encourage dignified and respectful treatment of others.

Demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively in small groups when advocating for healthy individuals, families and schools

Promote positive ways to show care and consideration for others (e.g. persons living with HIV/AIDS, diabetes, cancer)

Assess the impact of family, cultural, media and societal messages on one's thoughts, feelings, values and behaviors related to sexuality

Demonstrate developmentally mature form in the fundamental movement skills in combinations of closed and open environments

Demonstrate developmentally mature applications combining locomotor, nonlocomotor and manipulative skills to participate in developmentally appropriate movement and fitness activities

Adapt and combine skills to meet the demands of increasingly dynamic environments

Develop increasing competence in more advanced specialized skills

Participate in a variety of individual, dual and team tasks, activities, creative movement, dance, play, games and sports