California State University, Chico                                 

Spring 2005

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

HCSV 260 - 02 HEALTH EDUCATION FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS

TR 2-3:15 in Butte 113

Instructor: Mary Rushka, Dr.P.H.

 

OFFICE:                      BUTTE 606

OFFICE HOURS:       TR 12:30 - 1:30 pm or by appointment

PHONE:                      898-4620                  

EMAIL:                       mrushka@tco.net

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

 

This course fulfills the State health education requirements for a full teaching credential.  The content of this course addresses major health issues affecting elementary school age students including, but not limited to, the nine Content Areas of Health Instruction specified in the Health Framework for California Public Schools.

 

REQUIRED TEXTS

 

Teaching Today's Health, Anspaugh and Ezell, Allyn and Bacon, 2004, Seventh Edition

 

Health Framework for California Public Schools Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, California Department of Education, 2003 (called “Framework” in reading assignments).  This document is available for purchase at our bookstore, but may also be accessed online as a PDF at:  http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/cf/index.asp  (Click on “All Curriculum Frameworks” and then click on “Health Framework.”)

 

COURSE GOAL:  To provide the student with an understanding of health education and state school wide health promotion strategies that will help children become health-literate individuals with a lifelong commitment to healthy living.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

 

            At the completion of this course, the student will:

 

1.         Be able to describe health and disease issues related to children.

 

2.         Understand the structure of a comprehensive school health system.

 

3.         Be familiar with a variety of materials and methods used in comprehensive

            school health education.

 

4.         Be able to utilize a variety of instructional strategies to teach health education

            content. 

 

5.         Be able to utilize the year 2010 objectives that affect elementary students when planning

            health education curriculum.

 

6.         Be able to describe the education code and laws at the local, state and federal levels that impact health education, including mandated reporting requirements.

 

7.         Be able to apply the Health Instruction Framework for California Public Schools.

 

8.         Be able to describe appropriate referral procedures to community resources.

 

 

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

 

1.         Attend class regularly and be prepared to participate in discussion.  You are allowed 3 absences.  From the fourth absence on, course grade will be reduced by one grade for every absence. 

 

2.         Complete 3 examinations.

 

3.         Complete individual projects totaling 100 points (your choice; see "Individual Projects").

 

4.         Complete five in-class and/or homework assignments (to be given out in class or accessed on WebCT).

 

5.         Present evidence of current CPR certification by Thursday, May 5

 

ALL PAPERS SUBMITTED FOR A GRADE MUST BE TYPED, DOUBLE SPACED, IN 12-PT. FONT. 

 

ALL WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS AND PROJECTS ARE DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS ON THE DATE SPECIFIED.

 

HINT: Late work will be accepted, with 5 points deducted for each day late.  Work more than 5 days late will NOT be accepted.

 

A NOTE ON ACADEMIC HONESTY:  I support the University’s zero tolerance for plagiarism of any kind on papers.  Consequences for not citing sources or using someone else’s work are receiving zero credit on paper, failing the class, and being called before Student Judicial Affairs, with the possibility of dismissal from the University.


 

GRADING

                                                                        POINTS POSSIBLE

 

1.         Exams (2 midterms @ 100 points each)            200

 

2.         Final exam (not cumulative)                               150

 

2.         Individual project (see attached choices)           100

 

3.         Class assignments                                               50

 

4.         CPR completion (BY DUE DATE ABOVE)    100

            TOTALS                                                         600

 

 

ASSIGNMENT OF COURSE GRADES

 

A = 558 - 600              A- = 540 - 557

 

B+ = 522 - 539            B = 498 - 521

 

B- = 480 - 497            C+ = 462 - 479

 

C = 438 - 461              C- = 420 - 437

 

D+ = 402 - 419           D = 360 - 401

 

                                    F = 359 or less

 

               
HCSV 260 INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS

FROM THE FOLLOWING CHOICES, SELECT ACTIVITIES WHOSE TOTAL POINT VALUE EQUAL 100.  DUE NO LATER THAN MAY 5.

1.             Using the Learning Objectives you wrote at the beginning of this course, write a complete, original lesson plan that you could use in the classroom. Indicate which model (e.g., BIM) you have followed. The lesson plan must be original and cannot be adapted from existing lesson plans. (100 pts.)*

2.             Evaluate 3 instructional resources, such as textbooks, software or videos used in elementary schools to cover health topics.  In a 3-page typed report, review it in terms of accuracy of health content and potential for use in a K-6 classroom.  (100 pts.)

 

3.             Produce an attractive Power Point (or other computer assisted medium) health lesson of at least 15 slides targeted to an elementary or middle school audience.* (100 pts.)

 

4.             Develop, administer to a class of elementary or middle school students, and grade a health test.  (100 pts.)

 

5.             Write a 3-5 page typed paper on a specific health problem of children.  Provide a minimum of three references from a professional journal. (100 pts.)

 

6.             Assist in a school health program, inspection, project, seminar or any other activity related to school health.  Write a 2-page typed report of your duties, reactions, evaluation and feelings about the experience. (100 pts.)

 

7.             Interview a school cafeteria worker about the nutritional requirements for the school lunch program.  Obtain a copy of the lunch menu for a one-month period and critique it in terms of its nutritional desirability for children.  Write a 2-3 page typed paper discussing your findings and interview. (100 pts.)

 

8.             Interview a member of the school staff (teacher, secretary, etc.) about how the school attempts to maintain a healthy school environment (sanitation, reduce accidents, etc.).  Type a 2-3 page report of your findings, questions asked, and the responses along with your reaction to it all. (100 pts.)

 

9.             Interview a priest, minister, rabbi or other spiritual leader concerning potential conflicts between health education and religious teachings (e.g., contraception, immunizations, and nutrition).  Type a 2-3 page paper about your interview and experience. (100 pts.)

 

10.           Observe, compare and critique TWO school playgrounds while in use by children from a health and safety perspective.  Report your findings in a 2-3 page, typed paper. (Obtain safety checklist from instructor first – 100 pts.).

 

11.           Create a miniature bulletin board, such as one that you’d see in a classroom, on a specific health topic utilizing creative art work and professional looking lettering.* (50 pts.)

 

12.           Write a story (can be a felt storyboard) or play for elementary students, which incorporates health knowledge or is designed to influence students' attitudes or behaviors toward a specific health issue.  Include a paragraph about how you would use this activity.* (50 pts.)

 

13.           Visit a local health department or a voluntary health agency and investigate the health services offered for school age children.  Be sure to inquire about health education programs for children and their parents.  Write a 2- page typed paper summarizing your findings. (50 pts.)

 

14.           Visit a children's science museum, then develop a list of grade-specific learning objectives related  to a school field trip to the museum. (50 pts.)

 

15.           Attend and report on a school board or PTA meeting when the agenda contains a health topic.  Your report should be 2 pages, typed.*  (50 pts.)

 

16.           Write an advocacy letter to the state legislature regarding legislation related to school health. (50 pts.).

 

*If you choose one of these projects, plan to present it to the class .