Excerpt for Health for the Whole Person
The following are pictures of the actual pages in the PDF download. If you have any further questions please contact us!
We have the following blog posts to help:
- Suggested Syllabus for High School Health for the Whole Person
- What’s the Difference Between Health and Anatomy Credits
- 3 Ways to Get Teens Interested in Healthy Lifestyles
Please note curriculum excerpts are intentionally sloppy copies to discourage copyright violations. Purchased curriculum displays crystal clear.
Do you have a breakdown of how much material to cover each day to finish within a school year included anywhere?
Hi Christina,
There’s not ONE right way to homeschool and not one right way to handle Health credits. However, we did create a syllabus that you can adjust to your needs: https://www.7sistershomeschool.com/product/suggested-syllabus-for-high-school-health-for-the-whole-person/
The table of contents is listed in the comment above. While abstinence and substance abuse are covered, that is not the main focus of the course.
I’m curious how mental health issues are addressed. Is it strictly chemical and environment or does the book cover any of the spiritual side of mental disorders? How is the Word of God incorporated into this section?
Good question, H Kevin!
As a mental health professional who is also a devout Christian, I learned long ago that God created us whole people (thus the title of the book), so we are healthy when we give ourselves what we need for mental health: healthy lifestyle (food, water, exercise, breathing), healthy thought patterns (Philippians 4), healthy mindfulness (prayer and devotions being part of that).
I have a daughter who prefers real books to electronic versions. My question for you is, once the book is purchased and downloaded is it possible to print it to read? How many pages would that entail? Thanks!
Hi Yvette! All of our ebooks download as PDF files that are quick and easy to print. Lots of our families prefer to print their files for a traditional book. The Health text is 268 pages. The Test Booklet is 34 pages, and the Answer Key is 59 pages.
Thank you!
Hello,
I have a question about the nutrition information. Many health teaching materials that we have run across are outdated – for example, they still use the “food pyramid” that features grains as one of the largest recommended parts of a healthy human diet. This conflicts with our personal experience and nutritional practices and beliefs, so I wanted to inquire about what is specifically taught about nutritional guidelines in this course before we venture to use it. Thank you.
Hi Sandra, Here I am forwarding a message from the author:
Because nutritional guidelines are constantly changing and this is a book about health, not a specific course on nutrition, the information in this chapter is generic. Here is a sample of what is taught in the section on macro nutrition:
No matter how well the digestive tract and urinary system work, they cannot provide the body with nutrition that has not been consumed. To maintain health, the body depends on the proper balance of nutrients and sufficient caloric intake.
While some dietary components are used primarily for energy, amino acids are the building blocks for all the structural parts of the body. Amino acids are broken down from proteins, making an adequate intake of protein essential for a healthy body. Other essential nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, are important for essential chemical reactions in the body.
The needs of the body vary according to metabolism and lifestyle, but the average person should attempt to choose foods as recommended below: (picture of plate method of determining a healthy diet – 50% fruits and vegetables, 25% fiber-rich carbs, 25% foods high in protein)
Nutrients are generally classified as macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients include protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Micronutrients include vitamins and minerals.
Protein
Proteins are formed by amino acids put together in long chains. The order and type of amino acids determine which type of protein is made. Almost every structure in the body is composed of proteins. The body requires protein in order to perform several essential functions, including the replacement of worn-out cells and the production of substances such as hormones and neurotransmitters. Protein is needed for proper growth and development. Many tissues, including hair, skin, nails, muscle, and bone, are made of protein. It is also a major source of energy in the body.
The body produces some amino acids, but others can only be supplied by food that is consumed.
Protein is found in foods such as meat and poultry, nuts and seeds, eggs, beans, dairy products, seafood, and, in smaller amounts, some grains. The proteins in animal products are complete — containing all the amino acids needed in the body. The proteins in most plant products are not complete; however, combinations of these can provide all the amino acids needed by the body. This is one reason that a vegetarian or vegan diet requires research to assure adequate nutrition is consumed. Many beans, combined with corn or rice, supply a good mix of amino acids to make a complete protein.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are another important nutritional component. They are the body’s main source of energy. The brain especially needs the energy from carbohydrates to function properly because it does not adjust quickly to the use of any other energy sources. Carbohydrates are broken down to produce glucose, which is used for energy and can be stored in the body as glycogen. Certain carbohydrates contain fiber, which aids digestion because it is not broken down well or absorbed.
When the body does not consume enough carbohydrates, energy will be converted from other sources, including the breakdown of muscle tissue or fat. Carbohydrates can be changed into fat and stored, then changed back to carbohydrates when energy is needed.
Carbohydrates are found in starchy foods, including bread, pasta, and fruit.Daily consumption of carbohydrates should equal about 45% of the daily caloric intake. High-fiber carbohydrates are healthier than those that are more refined.
Carbohydrates can exist in single, double, or long molecular chains. The shorter the chain, the more quickly it is absorbed by the body. These simple carbohydrates are called sugars. Because they are absorbed so quickly, simple sugars raise the blood sugar level. Over time, this can cause an overproduction of insulin and an increase in fat storage. The increased insulin production can cause a rebound of craving sugar, and the cycle begins again. Recent studies have indicated that there might be an inflammatory response to eating too much simple sugar.
Fats
Dietary fats are necessary to give the body energy, support cell growth, and keep the body warm. This is especially necessary for young children whose bodies and brains are still forming. For this reason, parents are advised to give young children whole milk to provide adequate fat. There are four types of fats — saturated, polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, and trans fats. Monounsaturated fats are generally considered the most healthy. Those that are produced from plant sources are healthier than those from animal sources.
During a period of exercise, the body obtains energy from carbohydrates during the initial twenty minutes and then starts using fats for energy. Fats are also needed for the absorption of certain vitamins — A, D, E, and K.
About 25% of daily calories should be fat, however these should be chosen carefully. Healthy fats from plants and nuts help keep LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) down and HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) high. Avocados and fat from cold-water fish, such as salmon and tuna, are also beneficial.
I’ve read that the idea of combining foods for completion was actually debunked but that the idea stuck around despite that fact. That it’s not so much in a meal or a day that specific nutrients or elements must be take in, but over a week.
Is the worldview more implicit than explicit in this curriculum, as mentioned elsewhere?
Is this a half credit or one credit course? Would it count toward science?
Jolene,
Good questions.
It covers STDs and abstinence. Sexual health is not specifically discussed, although healthy relationships (and boundaries) are discussed.
It covers substance abuse.
Here is a listing of the chapters in the 2 sections of the text.
High School Health for the Whole Person Part 1 focuses on physical health:
In its 21 chapters, each body system is explained, followed by a chapter describing disorders that arise when the healthy functioning of the system is disrupted. The final chapter in this section covers exercise basics.
Chapter 1: The Five Senses
Chapter 2: Disorders of the Five Senses
Chapter 3: Skin
Chapter 4: Skin Disorders
Chapter 5: Musculoskeletal System
Chapter 6: Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System
Chapter 7: Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems
Chapter 8: Disorders of the Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems
Chapter 9: Nervous System
Chapter 10: Disorders of the Nervous System Disorders
Chapter 11: Digestive & Urinary Systems
Chapter 12: Disorders of the Digestive & Urinary Systems
Chapter 13: Nutrition
Chapter 14: Disorders of Insufficient Nutrition
Chapter 15: Lymphatic & Immune Systems
Chapter 16: Disorders of the Lymphatic & Immune Systems
Chapter 17: Reproductive System
Chapter 18: Disorders of the Reproductive System
Chapter 19: Fetal Development & Childbirth
Chapter 20: Complications in Fetal Development & Childbirth
Chapter 21: Health Benefits of Exercise
High School Health for the Whole PersonPart 2 focuses on mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
Homeschool high schoolers learn how the brain was created to function, ways to maintain this health, disorders that can arise, and treatments that have been used successfully for these disorders. A section on personal safety is included.
Part 2 contains the following chapters:
Chapter 1: The Brain
Chapter 2: Disorders of Brain Function
Chapter 3: Emotional Wellness
Chapter 4: Emotional and Mental Health Problems
Chapter 5: Emotional & Mental Health Problems: Help & Treatment
Chapter 6: Emotional and Mental Self-Care
Chapter 7: Self & Social Awareness for Health & Safety
Chapter 8: Healthy Relationships
Chapter 9: Caffeine, Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs
High School Health for the Whole Person: don’t let your homeschooler graduate without it!
You will receive 3 downloads:
High School Health for the Whole Person text
High School Health for the Whole Person tests
High School Health for the Whole Person Answer Key
Can you show the table of contents?
Is this the course that will cover abstinence and substance abuse?