Lesson Title: An Interactive Approach to Health and Wellness
In this lesson, students will embark on an educational adventure to understand the essential aspects of health and wellness. Students will explore the importance of nutrition, the effects of substance abuse, as well as the importance of our mental well-being. Through a blend of informative discussions, hands-on activities, and a fun-filled educational scavenger hunt, students will gain valuable knowledge and skills to lead healthier, more balanced lives.
Grade: 6 - 10
Subject: Health & Wellness, Physical Education
Objective:
- By the end of this lesson, students will:
- Understand the basics of nutrition and the importance of a balanced diet.
- Identify and describe the major body systems and their functions.
- Practice mindfulness techniques to enhance mental well-being.
- Enhance teamwork and communication skills.
- Develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Materials:
- Mobile devices with the Goosechase app downloaded (one per team).
- List of Missions (created beforehand in the Goosechase app)
- Prizes for the winning team (optional).
- Healthy snacks and yoga mats for demonstration and Mission completion (optional)
Preparation:
- Create an Experience on the Goosechase app with a series of health and wellness-related Missions. Example Missions:
- Nutrition: Take a photo of a meal that includes at least three different food groups.
- Substances: In a quick video, explain the negative effects of smoking.
- Mental Health: Take a photo of your team practicing a mindfulness exercise.
- Fun Facts: Find an interesting health fact online and share it with your
- Run your Experience during one class period or for the entire week.team.
- Find example Missions in the Goosechase Templates below.
- Run your Experience during one class period or for the entire week.
- Adapt the difficulty of the Missions based on the proficiency levels of your students to keep the activity inclusive and engaging for everyone.
- Divide students into teams and assign each team a mobile device with the app, or have students complete the scavenger hunt individually.
- App Set-Up
- Dedicate time to ensuring all students have the Goosechase app downloaded and joined to the Experience to avoid any tech issues.
Lesson Plan Outline:
- Introduction
- Begin by explaining the objectives of the lesson
- review the topics of nutrition, body systems, and mindfulness, focussing on key concepts you have previously taught. Some examples may include:
- Nutrition: a balanced diet, food groups, healthy eating habits.
- Substances: alcohol, tobacco, vaping, and other harmful substances.
- Mental Health: benefits for mental health, mindfulness exercises.
- Briefly demonstrate how to use the Goosechase app.
- Go over the rules and expectations for the scavenger hunt, including safety guidelines and respect for school property.
- Goosechase Scavenger Hunt
- Read through Missions with students, ensuring they understand the Missions.
- Monitor progress and provide assistance as necessary.
- If working in teams, encourage them to strategize and collaborate to solve the Missions.
- Sit back and enjoy watching your students collaborate and demonstrate their learning.
- Debrief and Reflection
- Gather students together after the scavenger hunt to discuss their experiences.
- Ask students to reflect on how they worked as a team and what strategies helped them succeed.
- Highlight creative or insightful submissions. Award bonus points to those teams or individuals (optional).
- Ask students to reflect on what they learned about Nutrition, Substances, and Mental Health.
- Allow teams to share their favorite scavenger hunt missions and what they learned.
- Award small prizes or certificates to the winning team and all participants (optional).
Optional Post-Experience Activities:
- Homework Assignment
- Assign students to complete a follow up project to the Goosechase Experience such as creating a Substance Abuse Poster, a mindfulness video session, or design a meal plan for a full week.
- Written Reflection
- Assign students to write a one-page reflection on their experience in the scavenger hunt, focusing on their personal and team's ability to collaborate.
- Presentation
- Allow students or groups to present their most creative or insightful submissions to the class. This can include a discussion on why they chose those particular moments or themes to highlight.
Assessment
- Evaluate the students' scavenger hunt submissions based on creativity, accuracy, and overall engagement.
- Assess the Reflections, Homework Assignments and/or presentations to understand their grasp of Health and Wellness Topics.
Ready Made Experience Templates to Try
Mental Health Awareness
Let's promote a more positive and proactive approach to addressing mental health through the power of social media and utilizing online resources!
The Healthy Habits Challenge
Here is a 21-day Experience to nourish your body, mind and spirit, one daily challenge at a time.
Hunt for Health
Take part in this Goosechase Experience to learn the impact of alcohol, tobacco, & other harmful substances on your health. There will be BONUS points for creativity as you complete these Missions!
Want a copy of this lesson plan to use with your class?
What is Goosechase EDU?
Goosechase is an online platform that helps educators create and run interactive learning experiences in their classrooms and beyond. Sign up and try creating an Experience, or contact us to learn more about our school and district-wide solutions!
