A health curriculum for middle school
In keeping with the mandate of the Victoria Community Health Cooperative, we want to inspire in children a sense of responsibility and participation with respect to their own health, by inviting them to explore the foundations of health and wellness. To further this objective we have been developing Back to Basics, a middle school health curriculum currently being piloted at Central Middle School.
The curriculum is divided into the following modules:
- Eating
- Moving
- Breathing
- Sleeping
- Thinking
- Feeling
In the 2008-2009 school year, we introduced our first two modules, Eating and Moving, to grade 6-8 students at Central Middle School.
In the eating module, we addressed the role of food and fluid consumption as essential to the maintenance of life and health. We discussed macro- and micro-nutrients, food groups and other aspects of food such as where and how it is grown. We also explored the important connections between eating, digestion and our emotional well-being.
In the moving module, our goal was to bring the students to an embodied understanding and experience of moving. We explored the basic structures and functional relationships involved in movements of daily life, and what is required for mastering skills for physical excellence, good health, and fun. We reflected on how movement and posture are expressions of who we are in each moment.
Our team of instructors includes Mark Sherman MD, Howard Dieno D.O., James Christian R.H., Nora Morcos MD, Michelle Morand M.A., Judi Trost RMT, Jacqueline Sloan, Pilates instructor. In addition, we have had valuable input into the curriculum and its development from a number of individuals including Beverley Norman, Wendy Simson and Alexandra Zawisza.
Over the coming year, we will be developing the Breathing module and refining the Eating and Moving modules as we deliver them to different groups of students at Central Middle School.
We welcome input into the curriculum and are always looking for qualified and enthusiastic instructors to join the Back to Basics team.
Contact: Nora Morcos MD, Coordinator, Back to Basics Pilot Project
Victoria Community Health Co-operative, noramorcos(a)yahoo.com
