Sometimes the hardest part of planning any unit of instruction is determining the activities that reinforce the concepts of the lessons and support the development of student skills. This first resource in the Health Smart series...

A 7-page packet of activity ideas, lesson plans, and information resources provides instructors of high school freshmen a wealth of materials to support teaching the concepts in a Health Smart unit.

Students explain how karyotyping is used to diagnose specific genetic disorders. They use karyotypes to make observations and analyze chromosomal errors. This activity can be completed online or without computer access.

Young scholars consider the factors that relate to decisions regarding genetic disorders. They read case studies and complete a provided Bio-Ethical Decision-Making Worksheet.

In this Mendelian inheritance worksheet, students will use a pedigree to complete 4 short answer questions about recessive and dominant traits. Then students will create a Punnett square. Finally, students will match 5 genetic disorders...

Students use DNA to solve an identity mystery. In this biology lesson, students use the Internet to gather information about sex-linked disorders and complete a Punnett square for hemophilia, then examine a handwriting analysis, ear...

Young scholars read and answer questions on neural processing and the Pinocchio Illusion. They relate and discuss these topics in conjunction with body-image disorders such as anorexia and bulimia . This lesson include video extension...

Young scholars predict traits of future offspring. In this biology instructional activity, students study karyotyping to predict genetic disorders. They research an assigned karyotype and present information about it.

Pupils write down and solve problems concerning the major modes of inheritance. They research a genetic condition and orally present their results to the class.

In this synonym and antonym worksheet, students use dictionaries to discover synonyms and antonyms for twenty words. Students circle antonyms and underline synonyms.

Students read, write and reflect on Science articles, this approach will promote both literacy and critical thinking skills. Critical thinking skills learned in the science classroom from these activities will impact students in many...

Young entrepreneurs research and develop a Shark Tank-style pitch for a solution to help people who have a mental illness. After the presentations, research groups complete a rubric for each product and vote for the one product they feel...

Can peas have grandparents? Learn about inherited traits and heredity with a set of activities focused on Mendelian genetics. As your class learns about the process of passing traits along in Punnett squares, they take on the role of...

Trace a genetic trait through an entire pedigree. A class activity provides pupils with an opportunity to explore a pedigree tree displaying a specific trait. They draw conclusions from the display and provide recommendations based on...

Queen Victoria, of England, carried the hemophilia gene, and her children passed it on to the ruling families of Russia, Spain, and Germany. Scholars learn how hemophilia passes from generation to generation—usually undetected in women....

How close are we to a cure for diabetes? It seems the cure which has a connection to stem cell research is a possibility! Learners explore the concept of stem cells with an engaging hands-on activity. A PowerPoint presentation provides...

Two lessons take a close look at stress. In instructional activity one, scholars identify common stressors and examine stress management strategies. Lesson two challenges pupils to keep a stress log for four weeks to aid in their...

Suicide prevention—a heavy topic but an important one. Over two lessons, pupils gain knowledge about suicide, particularly in teens, and how to advocate for a friend who feels suicidal or depressed. After researching the topic, scholars...

The Namuhs have a lot to teach humans how idealized images presented in advertising can impact self-perception and self-worth. After brainstorming 10 traits the media sets as the perfect body, class members read a short story about the...

Looking for social-emotional resources? Check out this seven-page packet that includes activity and lesson ideas, as well as links to information resources that support the social and emotional development of tenth graders.

Acknowledge, Care, Tell! Freshmen learn how to ACT to help a friend demonstrating warning signs for depression and suicide in a carefully scaffolded, scripted instructional activity. Scholars also learn positive coping skills,...

You, too, can prevent hate crimes! Middle and high schoolers read short biographies of Mathew Shepard and James Byrd, the two men for whom the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act (HCPA) is named. After learning...

Students create a poster about expected development versus observed behavior of a child with autism. In this health lesson, students describe the signs of ASD. They read and analyze a simulated case study.

Sixth graders write a 1.5 page paper explaining how to make their favorite nutritional snack. They need to assume that the audience has never seen or heard of the snack before.