We all know that active students are more engaged in school and that activity can help our students academically. October sees another event that encourages our school community to be more active. International Walk to School Day is held every October in most countries*. It is a global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries …
This weeks post shares an update of a food label game that I created and blogged about in 2014. It's a game that was very successful in my classroom at the time and I think many teachers will like it. I played a game as a child called Top Trumps, a card game that was …
One of the joys of teaching #HealthEd is that it is such a dynamic topic. I don't think any one year has been the same as another, in fact every semester has been different for me. As society ebbs and flows, health topics become du jour and the media jump on the latest headline grabbing …
With the return to school completed, some of us will be still be running on the adrenaline rush from the start of the school year - new faces, implementing new ideas, and the chance to grow as an educator. However, as the night get shorter, the temperature drops and we get more school weeks under our belts it's inevitable that stress will creep into our lives. For that reason I'm delighted to welcome Caroline Black back for another guest blog.
I'm not sure if kindness ever went away, but we are witnessing a resurgence in kindness-related initiatives that I think provide an antidote to the current behavior of politicians and certain world leaders. It's been around forever, it transcends religions, anyone can do it and it doesn't have to cost any money. Aristotle defines kindness …
Do you remember the year in which you entered the teaching profession (1994 for me)? This week #slowchathealth profiles five young professionals who start their teaching career this school year. We hope to re-visit with them over the winter break and again at the end of their first school year in what we hope will …
At the start of the school year it's important to identify shared classroom rules and expectations and I believe that these should be created with our students, and not before our students arrive on day one. It never ceases to amaze me the number of teachers who proudly display their laminated class rules posters on …
You know you are a great teacher when you see life through the lens of your subject. I see everything through the lens of a health teacher. I see food commercials and wonder why that food is being advertised to a specific audience at a specific time. I see promotional health resources in the community …
You should see the look on my students faces when I explain that 'breakfast' is literally 'breaking the fast'. I imagine that they'll forget most of what we learn in class, but they'll remember that one fact. I teach about nutrition in #healthed class with my message being that what we eat and drink can …
After you have recharged your batteries, spent quality time with friends and family and reflected on the past year your mind will inevitably wander towards thoughts of next school year. That's the nature of this career - you can't help but care about providing the best for your students. If you're looking for ways to …
As the #slowchathealth blog site celebrates its 3rd birthday I'm excited that Danielle Petrucci returns with another guest blog post. In addition to being MAHPERD's 2018 Health Teacher of the Year, Danielle is also a Dove Self-Esteem Project Cadre Trainer and here she shares her views on student self-esteem and the great work done by the …
Continue reading Increasing Student Self-Esteem in a Media Saturated Society
It's that time again when we look towards the end of the school year and seek inspiration for books to read during the summer break. Last year I shared my #summerreads list and here's this years update. These are the books that I will be reading and they are intentionally diverse. After all, a man …
May is Food Allergy Awareness Month, a time in which we see increased awareness and action on behalf of the food allergy community. Food Allergy Awareness Week is May 13-19 and provides a special opportunity to shine a light on food allergies and anaphylaxis. I am delighted that this week's guest blog comes to us …
It's that time again! With one eye definitely on the summer, here is my list of Netflix documentary recommendations for summer 2018. My similar blog post last year was very popular and I recommended What the Health, My Transgender Kid, How to Survive a Plague, The Hunting Ground, 13th, The Mask You Live In, Miss …
Continue reading 9 Netflix Documentaries to Watch This Summer (2018)
Last October I wrote my Podcast & Chill blog post inspired by the good people at Podcast Brunch Club, (think book club but for podcasts). I shared my Essential Podcast Listening for #Healthed Teachers and also a cool Spotify playlist, which you know I love doing. The blog proved to be such a popular post that I …
Close your eyes and imagine your dream vacation. Is water present? Perhaps you are taking a romantic walk on the beach, or are sailing near a Caribbean island. Or are you on the slopes, skiing in Europe. Maybe you even have photographs at home of you and loved ones with water in the image - …
Friday 27th is Day of Silence, a student-led national event where individuals take a vow of silence to highlight the silencing and erasure of LGBTQ+ voices at school. In this short post I want to share some of the efforts at my school and also some resources that might be of use to you and your …
With the ever present drive to improve teacher effectiveness, becoming a National Board Certified Teacher might be a great way to demonstrate your commitment to excellence. I am delighted that this weeks blog post comes from two outstanding health educators who recently went through the process to become NBCT's. Here Christine Murray and Joanna Wolk …
Continue reading Why Become National Certified in Health Education?
Let's get one thing straight right now. This might come as a shock to some, but skills-based health is not a new thing. The National Health Education Standards aren't new either, they've been around since as long as I've been teaching. They're older than some of the latest additions to my PLN! Having said that, …
What do you do once you've returned home after an awesome conference? What should you do next to ensure that the post-conference 'feels' inspire you to get the most out of your trip? Here's my list of 5 things to do during the conference afterglow. Get Some Rest: If you followed my advice you are likely to …
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