RADNOR TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT
Course Overview
8th Grade Health
Course #
General Information
Credits: N/A
Weighted: N/A
Prerequisite: N/A
Length: Semester
Format: Every other day
Grade:
Course Description
The goal of this course is to provide the students with a strong foundation of health knowledge
which is essential for healthy living and academic success. Topics include: the wellness scale,
personality, decision-making steps, consequences, goal-setting, mental health, signs and
symptoms of depression, coping with depression, stress and stressors, healthy coping
mechanisms, alcohol, effects of alcohol use on a teen, family and society, and categories of
illegal drugs and their effects. Additionally, students will be required to know the male and
female anatomy, the stages of reproduction, sexually transmitted diseases and the
development of healthy relationships in the teen years.
Enduring Understandings & Essential Questions.
1. The students will identify that all choices have consequences that will affect their health.
2. Good decision-making is a process of specific steps.
3. The wellness scale is a dynamic scale that needs to be understood for one's entire life.
4. How does a healthy teenager look and behave?
1. What factors influence your health?
2. What components make up the wellness scale?
3. How does one assess wellness?
4. Why are all behaviors either healthful or risk behaviors?
5. What are the steps in goal setting?
6. Why is behavior the most important trait in one's personality?
Common Assessments:
ACTIVITIES
Homework will be assigned on a regular basis as per the syllabus. Grades will be based on
homework, quizzes, tests and projects. Grades can be weighted and the Radnor Middle School
grading scale will be used to determine letter grades
Unit 1: Chapter 1
ASSIGNMENTS
 Chapter 1: Reviewing Terms & Facts
o Pages: 9,15, 22, & 27
o Unit Study Guide: Chapter 1 Student Activities workbook
.
ASSESSMENTS
o Chapter 1 Test:
Unit 2: Chapter 3
ASSIGNMENTS
 Answer: Reviewing Terms & Facts and Thinking Critically questions on pages:
67,72, 77,84, 89 & 93
 Set and write a health goal following set action plan.
 Personality (Identity Box) Follow set rubric
o http://radnortsd.schoolwires.com/cms/lib/PA01000218/Centricity/Domain/42
9/Identity Box Project.pdf

Unit Study Guide: Chapter 3 Study Guide Student Activities Workbook
ASSESSMENTS
o Chapter 3 Quiz# 1
o Chapter 3 Quiz #2
o Unit Test on Chapter 3
Unit 3: Alcohol & Illegal Drugs
Objective: Students will identify the influence alcohol and drugs have on their physical,
mental and social health.
Chapters 14 &15 Assignments & Assesments
 Chapter 14 Alcohol Review worksheet
 Chapter 15 Illegal Drug Review worksheet
 Drug Group Research Project
 http://www.rtsd.org/cms/lib/PA01000218/Centricity/Domain/429/Drug_Group_Proj
ect.ppt
 http://www.rtsd.org/cms/lib/PA01000218/Centricity/Domain/429/Presentation.docx
%20Drug%20Rubric.docx
 Unit Quiz & Unit Final
Unit 4: Sexuality, STD’s, HIV & AIDS
Objective:
 The students will identify what influences their relationships and what makes a
healthy relationship.
 The students will identify consequences related to sexual activity.
Major Units of Study:
Unit 1: Making Responsible Decisions & Factors that Influence those Decisions
Unit 2: Mental Health
Self-Esteem, Stress Management, Mental Disorders, Self-Harm
Unit 3: Alcohol, Tobacco & Illegal Drugs
Influence on Physical, Mental & Social Health
Decisions related to Drug Use & Abuse
Unit 4: Sexuality
Male & Female Reproductive Systems
Reproduction
Healthy Relationships
STD’s, HIV & AIDS
Materials & Texts
MATERIALS Current Health 2
TEXTS:
Teen Health: Course 2, Glencoe,1996
Human Body Systems, Glencoe Mc-Graw Hill,2002
Summer Assignment
If appropriate identify any summer readings or assignments students should complete prior to the start
of this course.
RADNOR TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT
Course Curriculum
First Marking Period
Unit I: Factors that Influence your health & Decision Making
Common Core Standards and PA Academic Standards and National Standards
10.2.9D- Healthful Living ~ Analyze and apply a decision-making process to adolescent health and safety issues.
10.1.9D - Concepts of Health ~ Analyze prevention and intervention strategies in relation to adolescent and adult drug use
10.1.9E- Concepts of Health~ analyze how personal choice, disease and genetics can impact health maintenance and disease
prevention.
10.2.9C- Healthful Living ~ Analyze media health and safety messages and describe their impact on personal health and safety.
10.3.9A-Safety and Injury Prevention~ analyze the role of individual responsibility for safe practices and injury prevention in the
home, school and community.
10.3.9B
10.3.C- Safety and Injury Prevention~ Analyze and apply strategies to avoid or manage conflict and violence during adolescence.
10.1.9.A - Concepts of Health ~ Analyze factors that impact growth and development between adolescence and adulthood.
Standards for Student Interpersonal Skills
16.1.8.A
Assess factors that influence emotional self-management and impact relationships at home, school, and community
16.1.8.B
Analyze impact of a variety of personal traits on relationships and achievement throughout life.
16.1.8.C
Analyze adverse situations and identify appropriate protective factors and coping skills.
16.1.8.D
Apply goal setting into academic decisions.
16.2.8.A
Analyze internal and external factors that influence relationships.
16.2.8.B
Explain individual, social and cultural differences which increase vulnerability to bullying and abuse and strategies for
prevention.
16.2.8.C
Analyze factors that impact communication
16.2.8.D
Analyze various types of conflict and determine appropriate resolutions
16.2.8.E
Evaluate problems or situations to determine when and what additional support is needed
Keystone Connections:
N/A
Student Objectives:










Students will identify that all choices have consequences that will affect their health.
Good decision-making has specific steps
The wellness scale is dynamic and needs to be understood for one’s entire life
There are 12 steps in the pillars of a balanced lifestyle
Identify factors that make up their personality
Identify stress and stressors
Identify the short and long term effects of stress on the body
Identify causes, signs and symptoms of depression
Describe healthy ways to deal with depression
Locate sources of help and support





Students will identify factors that affect blood alcohol concentration, the harmful effects
of alcohol, and the effects on their wellness
Students will know the different categories and street names and effects of illegal drugs
Students will know that sexual growth and development is individual and that decisions
made in adolescence will impact their adult lives
Label and explain the function of male and female reproductive system, the stages of
pregnancy, childbirth, and sexually transmitted diseases
Students will know that there is a mental, physical and social piece to engaging in sexual
activity.
KNOWELDGE
Students will know…
Know and Apply the follow terms/concepts:
•heredity
•environment
•behvavior
•physical health
•mental health
•social health
•random events
•healthful vs risk behaviors
•steps in goal setting
•steps in decision making skill
SKILLS
Students will be able to…
Identify the MOST IMPORTANT skills a student will develop in this unit.
Assessments:
FORMATIVE

Chapter 1: Reviewing Terms & Facts
o Pages: 9,15, 22, & 27
o Unit Study Guide: Chapter 1 Student Activities workbook
.
SUMMATIVE
Chapter 1 Test
COMMON
Activities and Assignments
ACTIVITIES
Identify the major learning activities students will engage in during this unit. These should be designed
to ensure students meet the objectives and develop proficiency in the standards for this unit.
ASSIGNMENTS
Identify the major assignments students will be given in this unit. These should be directly aligned with
the objectives and standards for this unit.
Terminology
Heredity ,environment ,behavior, physical health, mental health, social health, random events,
healthful behaviors, risk behaviors, goal setting steps, decision making steps, mental health,
personality, values, stress, physical health, social health, wellness, self-esteem, self-concept,
emotions, stressors, adrenaline, stress management skills, defense mechanisms, depression,
suicide, general adaptation syndrome, drug, drug misuse, drug abuse, tolerance,
psychological and physiological dependence, tolerance, side effects, inhalation, injection,
orally, absorption, alcohol, intoxication, depressant, blood alcohol concentration, DUI,
DWI,FAS, breath analyzer, cirrohsis, sudden fatty liver liver death, reaction time, alcoholics
annoymus, Al-anon, Al-Ateen, marijuana, cocaine, ectasy, amphetamines, heroin, LSD, PCP,
depressants, hallocingens, narcotics, inhalants, designer drugs, penis, erection, ejaculation,
urethra, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, cowpers gland, testes, scrotum, semen,
sperm, circumcision, testicular cancer, prostate cancer, vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes,
ovaries, ovum, ovulation menstruation, menstrual cycle, breast cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian
cancer, STD’s, Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphllis, pubic lice,, HPV, herpes, genital warts, HIV, AIDS
Materials & Texts
ESSENTIAL
Identify the major works that are common to all classes at this grade level; including books, textbook
chapters, primary sources, or other readings.
ADDITIONAL
Media, Technology, Web Resources
Unit II: Mental & Emotional Health
Common Core Standards and PA Academic Standards
10.2.9.A-Healthful Living ~ Identify and describe health care products and services that impact
adolescent health practices.
10.2.9.B-Healthful Living ~ Analyze the relationship between health-related information and
adolescent consumer choices.
10.2.9.D-Healthful Living ~ Analyze and apply a decision-making process to adolescent health
and safety issues.
10.3.9.C-Safety and Injury Prevention ~ Analyze and apply strategies to avoid or manage
conflict and violence during adolescence.
Keystone Connections:
N/A
Student Objectives:
KNOWELDGE
Students will know… Keywords:
* mental health
* personality
* values
* stress
* self-esteem
* self-concept
* emotions
* stressors
* adrenaline
* stress management skills
* defense mechanisms
* depression
* suicide
* general adaptation syndrome
SKILLS
Students will be able to…
 Students will recognize that a mentally heallthy person deals in a reasonable way with the
 stresses and strains of everyday life.
 Students will understand that short periods of depression are normal at their age.
Assessments:
FORMATIVE
 Workbook Chapter Review

Answer: Reviewing Terms & Facts and Thinking Critically questions on pages:
67,72, 77,84, 89 & 93
SUMMATIVE
o Chapter 3 Quiz# 1
o Chapter 3 Quiz #2
o Unit Test on Chapter 3
COMMON


Set and write a health goal following set action plan.
Personality (Identity Box) Follow set rubric
o http://radnortsd.schoolwires.com/cms/lib/PA01000218/Centricity/Domain/42
9/Identity Box Project.pdf
Activities and Assignments
ACTIVITIES
ASSIGNMENTS

Personality (Identity Box) Follow set rubric
o http://radnortsd.schoolwires.com/cms/lib/PA01000218/Centricity/Domain/42
9/Identity Box Project.pdf
Terminology
Materials & Texts
ESSENTIAL
ADDITIONAL
Media, Technology, Web Resources