** Find past Teaching Centers below. **
Click on the tabs above to access key points, classroom discussion questions, extension activity ideas, resources, and more for each feature article in this issue.
A button at right links to our Digital Edition, which makes it easy to use the magazine on computers, interactive whiteboards, and projectors. This month's edition debuts some exciting new bonus features. Pop-up highlights and thinking questions help students engage with the text and make it easy for you to call attention to key messages. In the column at right you'll also find links to a printable teacher's guide for this issue, our 2011-12 Planning Calendar, our Current Health blogs, and our archives.
In This Issue
Your Mind: Vitamin G for Your Mind
Your Body: Uninvited Guests
Your World: Eye on the Olympics
Your Relationships: Looking for Answers
Online Exclusives
• Our 2011-12 planning calendar helps you plan lessons for the whole school year.
• Our 2011-12 index can help you keep track of your favorite Current Health Kids articles or find a useful article you missed.
• Great news! Now all the reproducible worksheets for each issue—including the bonus reading comprehension worksheets, one for each feature article—are together in one place, within your Teacher's Guide. Access these worksheets and more online at right under "Printable Teacher's Guide" at right.
It has been a pleasure to serve you and your students during this past school year. On behalf of the Current Health team and everyone at Weekly Reader Publishing, I want to thank you for having us in your classrooms. We wish you and your students much health and happiness, always. Again, thank you.
With my best,
Alicia Zadrozny, Editor
Past Teaching Centers
September 2011
October 2011
November 2011
December 2011
January 2012
February 2012
March 2012
Vitamin G for Your Mind
(p. 6) 980L
Key Points
• Kids spend many more hours a day in front of computers than they do outdoors. Health experts refer to that unbalance as “nature deficit disorder.”
• Being outdoors stimulates the mind. Mental and emotional problems can develop when kids do not get enough time outdoors.
• There is a nationwide effort to get kids outside in parks, gardens, and other recreational areas.
Think and Discuss
• How often do you spend time outdoors? What keeps you inside? Do you have opportunities to change your situation?
Extension Activity
• Have students organize a field day with activities that incorporate their natural environment. Some ideas can be found below.
Resources
• The National Wildlife Federation report on the benefits of outdoor time: www.nwf.org/news-and-magazines/media-center/reports/archive/2010/whole-child-be-out-there.aspx
• Ideas for outdoor activities:www.tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/easy-outdoor-activities-for-kids.htm
Uninvited Guests
(p. 9) 880L
Key Points
• The human body is host to trillions of bacterial cells called microbes. Parasites, lice, and various mites commonly inhabit the human body.
• Most of the bacteria found inside and outside the body are beneficial rather than harmful.
• Washing your hands with water and regular soap is the most recommended method to prevent colds and flu. Experts do not recommend antibacterial gels, wipes, and soaps, because they kill beneficial bacteria.
Think and Discuss
• Pretend you are a biologist and you need a new subject to study. Which of the things mentioned in the article interest you the most? Make a list of questions you’d like to answer with your upcoming research.
Extension Activity
• Discuss the role of good bacteria and how it aids digestion. Perhaps try making yogurt with the aid of a yogurt maker in the classroom. Point out how the healthy bacteria grow and how they help the human body.
Resource
• Information about yogurt:www.aboutyogurt.com
Eye on the Olympics
(p. 12) 940L
Key Points
• Kids have the chance to enjoy and to learn about this once-every-four- year event.
• Kids can learn more about U.S. Olympic teams.
• The experiences of young athletes can inspire kids to take up or further commit to sports.
Think and Discuss
• Can you imagine being the best in your particular sport or activity? According to the information presented in the article, what traits are needed to be a success?
Extension Activity
• Have each student prepare a report on an Olympic athlete of his or her choice and present it to the class.
Resource
• Information about the Youth Olympic Games: www.youtholympicgames.teamusa.org
Looking for Answers
(p. 16) 800L
Key Points
• A relative’s illness can be unsettling for kids. They may have questions they are afraid of asking in an effort to protect their relatives.
• Kids should know that they are allowed to take care of themselves and still be kids during difficult times.
• There are many resources kids can turn to during a relative’s illness.
Think and Discuss
• How do you feel during stressful family situations? Do you feel that your needs are taken care of? Do
you talk to your parents about how you feel?
Extension Activity
• Have students create posters that encourage the expression of feelings and support for one another.
Resource
• Information about helping kids cope with a parent’s illness: www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A35432-2004Nov8.html
