Technology in the Classroom

Let's start with this...

We have had some interesting comments about nutrition, particularly serving size.  Measuring serving sizes is a math lesson waiting to happen.  For students to really understand accurate serving sizes, you need to actually weigh and/or measure foods and track the number of servings a student consumes.  Here are some resources on serving size that may be helpful.

1. How is the serving size on a nutrition label determined?  Check the FDA's answer here - http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/qa-lab18.html
2. What about visual examples of serving size?  And how do you manage large portions you are offered, especially when you eat out?  Visit this site - http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/news/1999/Jan/size.htm
3. Another visual example comes from the Arthritis foundation - http://www.arthritis.org/resources/nutrition/visualcues.asp

Search on the topic of serving sizes and find a site that could use in your classroom to explain the concept of serving size.  Send email to Margo Harris with your suggested site.  I will compile the suggestions from this class and publish the suggestions here on the class web page.

What about the "new" food guide pyramid from the Harvard University School of Public Health?  Take a look - http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/pyramids.html  This would make a good "compare and contrast" activity for older students.

Middle School Magic...

One project I've enjoyed working on is a web site for middle school teachers in the Seattle Public Schools.  Much of the information on the site is not specific to middle school.  Take a look by visiting - http://www.pnwhealth.com/middle_school_magic.htm

Check out the "Lessons Online" page for a list of great health lesson resources - http://www.pnwhealth.com/lessons_online.htm

Reference Sites for the Future

You are much too busy right now, but in the future you may want to check out some health sites that would give you more information about health, especially items like:

• HIV/AIDS
• Lice
• Immunizations

Click the link on this page, or click and go to Reference Sites

The Graduation of Jake Moon

You are reading The Graduation of Jake Moon by Barbara Park.  You are responsible for:

1. Completing the book
2. Completing the K-W-L-H Chart about Alzheimer's Disease.

To complete the K-W-L-H Chart, make sure you have:

• Listed at least three items you "need to learn" on the chart
• Listed at least three items "you learned" on the chart
• Explained what helped you learn more about Alzheimer's and this book
• Listed items in the "categories of information" section of the chart.  You can suggest information sources such as web sites.   You could also consider an author interview/biography or resources listed in the book as examples.  (FYI - Barbara Park is a Random House author, and you can find her bio at http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/junieb/authorbio.html)

In the book, Jake mentions that there are three stages of Alzheimer's, "sad, sadder, and saddest."  In your learning about Alzheimer's, explain whether there are stages of Alzheimer's.  If there are stages, what are they?  You might want to consider the web sites listed below as you learn more about Alzheimer's Disease, or you can choose other sites or sources of information.

Alzheimer's Association - http://www.alzheimers.org/pubs/adfact.html http://www.alz.org/ResourceCenter/FactSheets/FSstages.pdf

MedlinePlus - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alzheimersdisease.html

NYU Medical Center - http://www.ec-online.net/Knowledge/articles/alzstages.html 

Tonight's Scavenger Hunt Assignment (Finally!)

1. 12 Questions - #10 is a "look only"
2. Answer carefully and completely, individually or in pairs.
3. Thoughtful reflection of technology in instruction, not just the Internet
4. Due - last day of class or sooner. You may hand in today, but you may want to take it home and review the assignment for complete, accurate answers.  Make sure you answer all 12 questions including the technology reflection.

Homework 

Visit the PBS TeacherSource website, and read the article, "Achieving Health Literacy."  The National Health Education Standards and the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) for Health & Fitness are based on the concept of health literacy.  Email me with or write up and bring to class your definition of health literacy.  Becky Smith did a good job with the article she wrote, but I'm interested in getting a definition of health literacy in your own words. 

Now add two or three examples or even a short list of behaviors your students would demonstrate or comments you might hear them make that would indicate to you the student was developing a more health literate approach to his or her life.  For instance, after completing a safety unit, your students might wear a bike or scooter helmet more often.  With more nutrition information, you might hear one student explain to another why and when it is important to drink plenty of fluids.  Include at least three examples in your answer. (Extra credit if you locate the TeacherSource article authored by Margo Harris and name the title!)