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Health & Wellness 101 Skills Middle School Course

In this 12-week middle school level course, students will learn multiple perspectives on the basics of health & wellness to be more aware of what the human body needs & how to make better choices that benefit their overall wellbeing.
Ms. Katie
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(66)
Rising Star
Class
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What's included

12 live meetings
6 in-class hours
Assignments
1-2 hours per week. Assignments will be given each week in class.
Assessment
Upon request.
Certificate of Completion
1 after class completion

Class Experience

US Grade 7 - 9
Beginner Level
In this middle school health class, students discover the importance of being mindful about their own health & wellness. Classes provide general, educational information on many health topics, such as managing stress, eating a balanced diet, resting & exercising. The class is presented from multiple perspectives from research in the health field. Students will learn there is no one-size-fits-all solution to diet, exercise, etc. & they should think about the choices they make. 

Example class: A class on the importance of exercise, for example, will begin after each student gives a 1-2-minute oral presentation on last week's topic. Next, we ask a few questions about exercise such as why is exercise important to the body & how do different types of exercise affect it. Then, I give a presentation of the different ways research shows exercise effects the body & introduce different types, like walking, yoga, weightlifting, swimming, etc. We discuss that while all humans need some sort of movement, there is no one-size-fits all exercise plan. Finally, we review our beginning questions again with the material just learned & I will give them a research assignment on exercise, such as what food would be good to eat before a workout, to present in the next class. 


What to expect: 
👩‍🏫 12 Weekly Classes, lecture & slide show format (with non-graphic, age-appropriate 
       illustrations.)

📝 Weekly Research Assignments, Final Project & Optional Personal Enrichment Activities 
(for students who want to learn about the skill further.) Students are asked to present their assignments at the beginning of each class. Classroom engagement is encouraged, and students often ask questions about each other's assignments. If you prefer your learner to NOT do or present assignments to the class, then please message teacher.

✨ Teacher assesses students by participation, weekly assignments, attendance and final research project. No quizzes/tests. Certificate of Completion given and by request grades/reports will be messaged at the end of the course to families. Homeschool families often use this course to fulfill their HS health requirements.


Important Notes:
🎥 Students need cameras or a verification check from Outschool as well as good audio to participate in this course. If there is no verification check, students must attend first class with a video check-in to be able to watch class recordings. Class make-ups are available per parent request.

👩‍🏫Teacher availability is limited to a set number of live classes each school semester. Please check-out the self-paced version of this course or join the waitlist, if live class is not available. 

👍 Skills taught are researched based and not specific to any diet or wellness protocol. No supplements, health programs, agendas, plan nor fade are promoted. Course is for educational material only, not meant to diagnosis or treat any illness.

👨‍⚕️Students are reminded throughout the course to share what they discover with their families & medical professionals. While teacher is a certified health coach, no individual coaching or advice is given. 

❓ Questions, concerns? Message Ms. Katie anytime. 

About Ms. Katie: I am a Certified Health Coach and love to teach people skills that enable them to make informed choices about what is best for their bodies. For the past three years, I have also been a health educator on Outschool teaching Middle & High School level classes. As a professional, I feel no two bodies are alike. So, what works for one person does not always work for another. Health is created by the accumulation of knowledge about how the body works and how to apply that info to our own bodies. Body awareness helps us ask the right questions and seek the appropriate treatment with a licensed medical professional.
Learning Goals
Students will learn foundational basic health & wellness skills to understand what the body needs & make better choices.
learning goal

Syllabus

12 Lessons
over 12 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Introduction to course & review syllabus
 We why health is very individual and based on genetic, environment and personal health habits. Students are encouraged to track their health outside of class and discuss their findings with parents/medical professionals. We discuss the flow of the course and general research assignments. 
30 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Lesson 2:
The Importance of Eating a Balanced Diet: Carbs, Fiber & Sugar
 We learn why carbohydrates are important to health, what are common foods with carbs, what is sugar, the definition of a processed food and how carbs break down in the body. 
30 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Lesson 3:
The Importance of Eating a Balanced Diet: Protein & Fats
 We learn why protein and fat are important to health, what are common foods with protein/fat, and how they break down in the body. We also identify that a calorie is a measurement of potential energy, but not a good indicator of the nutrients in the food. 
30 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Lesson 4:
The Importance Reading Food Labels & Ingredient Lists
 We learn why food labels appeared in the 1990's, discuss common food marketing labels and a brief history of food markets. 
30 mins online live lesson
1 assignment

Other Details

Supply List
We are building a Health & Wellness Resource Book as we complete each class. Students will also be encouraged to create their own health journals, which, for privacy reasons, they will not share with the teacher or class. For the class assignments, students have an option to research the topic either digitally or non-digitally. If completing the assignments non-digitally, the students will need to visit their local stores frequently during the course and purchase a few more supplies than those students, who research digitally. Doing a combination of the two is okay too. Please let me know if you have any questions. Ms. Katie

General Supplies for All Students:
Two 3-ring-binders (approximately 1”)
One pack of lined 3-hole-punched notebook paper for taking notes
Favorite pen or pencil to write notes
3-hole-punch (for additional sheets posted by Ms. Katie in the classroom)
Ability to print

Supplies for Assignments Completed Digitally:
Computer, internet & printer (please follow internet safety & copyright rules)

Supplies for Assignments Completed Non-Digitally:
One Baker’s Yeast packet, honey, warm water, glass container, plastic wrap (for Class 2)
One Small houseplant plant in a container (for Class 5)
One Poster Board (for Class 11 Final Project)
Ability to take photos
Ability to visit local stores
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
A majority of the research for these classes come from studies published at the National Institute for Health (NIH) Class 1: Health & Wellness https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/health Genetics and Health - Genes, Behavior, and the Social Environment - NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov) Genetics (nih.gov) https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/air-pollution/index.cfm Stress | NCCIH (nih.gov) Vitamin A Deficiency - PubMed (nih.gov) Vitamin B6 Deficiency - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov) Vitamin deficiency (Concept Id: C1510471) - MedGen - NCBI (nih.gov) Headaches and Magnesium: Mechanisms, Bioavailability, Therapeutic Efficacy and Potential Advantage of Magnesium Pidolate - PubMed (nih.gov) Creating Healthy Habits | NIH News in Health Class 2: www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/digestive-system-how-it-works https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5537773/ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28851467/ Sugar vs. Sugar Alcohol: What’s the Difference? (healthline.com) The Human Microbiome - The Good Gut Insulin Resistance - PubMed (nih.gov) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1663443/ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27146015/ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3541564/ Class 3: Biochemistry, Essential Amino Acids - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov) Protein: metabolism and effect on blood glucose levels - PubMed (nih.gov) The Various Roles of Fatty Acids - PMC (nih.gov) The essentials of essential fatty acids - PubMed (nih.gov) www.nccih.nih.gov/health/vitamins-and-minerals www.nccih.nih.gov/health/antioxidants-in-depth www.nccih.nih.gov/health/antioxidants-in-depth Opportunities for Health Promotion: Highlighting Herbs and Spices to Improve Immune Support and Well-being - PMC (nih.gov) Digestive Diseases | NIDDK (nih.gov) Calories - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti... https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9416027/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti... https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25713... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti... https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15715... https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/1... https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti... https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23096708 https://www.omicsonline.org/open-acce... https://patents.google.com/patent/CN1... https://patents.google.com/patent/KR1... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti... Class 4 https://www.fda.gov/food/new-nutrition-facts-label/how-understand-and-use-nutrition-facts-label https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK209859/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16528826/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30744710/ www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Genetically-Modified-Organism www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Genetically-Modified-Organism www.nccih.nih.gov/health/know-science/natural-doesnt-mean-better www.nccih.nih.gov/health/know-science/natural-doesnt-mean-better www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6722695/ Class 5 Stress Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster 20 Differences between Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous System - Core Differences www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538239/ NIMH » Getting to Know Your Brain: Dealing with Stress (nih.gov) Class 6 Social isolation, loneliness and depression in young adulthood: a behavioural genetic analysis - PMC (nih.gov) Is Oxytocin “Nature’s Medicine”? - PMC (nih.gov) Neurotransmitters: What They Are, Functions & Types (clevelandclinic.org) What Is an Introvert? Personality, Characteristics, and More (healthline.com) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12498067/ www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2921311/ Class 7 www.nccih.nih.gov/health/melatonin-what-you-need-to-know pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19427210/ www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6783897/ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26605807/ www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9594144/ www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep/sleep-wake-cycle pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33250348/ www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK401/ www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5449130/ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32714710/ Class 8: Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity - Mayo Clinic www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9544808/ www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4818249/ www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6172294/ www.nia.nih.gov/health/infographics/benefits-4-types-exercise www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3722610/ www.nia.nih.gov/health/four-types-exercise-can-improve-your-health-and-physical-ability Class 9 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4207053/ www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2908954/ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15095624/ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31082167/ kids.niehs.nih.gov/topics/pollution/water/digestive-system/index.htm pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7029004/ www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7927006/ www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4737661/ Class 10 www.genome.gov/news/news-release/The-skin-microbiome-More-than-skin-deep pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17660014/ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25115106/ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19932330/ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30497517/ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2948974/ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21034990/ www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579659/ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26844902/ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1555125/ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20888066/ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20888066/ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30338244/ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20620759/ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17683018/ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34212752/
Joined April, 2021
4.9
66reviews
Rising Star
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Art and Design from Scripps College
I am a Certified Health Coach, Home-based Educator for over a decade, former middle high school substitute teacher with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Claremont Colleges outside of Los Angeles, CA. My college major was in Environmental Design & my minor was in Psychology. Currently, I work privately with adults to educate them on the body, nutrition and the choices they have in self-care. While I started my career in Interior Design, my passion for spending substantial amount of time studying medical/health research led me to attend an online health coaching certification school out of Virginia. My personal belief: health is very individual, and there is no one-size fits all answer. 

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Live Group Course
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$13

weekly or $150 for 12 classes
1x per week, 12 weeks
30 min

Completed by 17 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
3-6 learners per class

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