Healthy Habits: Math, Myths, and More!

6th Grade

Project
6 weeks

Healthy Habits: Math, Myths, and More!

FABIAN VELASCO

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to engage 6th-grade students in a comprehensive exploration of what it means to be healthy, integrating hands-on activities that connect them with community health professionals. Students will investigate and critique current health trends, develop personalized health plans, and create a portfolio showcasing their journey. Through math activities related to ratios and graphing, writing critiques, and historical analysis, they will deepen their understanding of health concepts, culminating in a personal health guide and a reflective video presentation. This project aims to foster critical thinking, self-awareness, and practical skills in maintaining physical and mental well-being.

Learning goals

Students will develop critical thinking skills by analyzing health trends and distinguishing between credible and non-credible sources. They will apply math skills to create and interpret graphs related to nutrition and health statistics, focusing on ratios and proportional relationships. Through collaboration with community partners, students will gain insights into the multifaceted nature of health, including physical, mental, and nutritional aspects. The project will foster self-reflection as students create personalized health plans and assess their own understanding of health concepts.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.RP.A.3: Use ratio reasoning to solve real-world and mathematical problems.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.8: Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility of each source, and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.8: Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not.

Products

Students will create a comprehensive personal health guide that includes a meal plan, mental health strategies, and a reflection on their health journey. They will produce a video documenting their research and newfound understanding of health trends, showcasing their ability to distinguish between media myths and facts. Additionally, students will compile a portfolio that captures their personal health journey, including critiques and revisions of their plans based on feedback from community partners. Math activities will involve calculating nutritional values and creating graphs to represent their meal plans, aligning with grade 6 content standards.

Launch

Begin the project with an interactive 'Media Myth Busters' workshop, where students work in small groups to analyze and critique health trends in the media using real-world data. Incorporate math activities that focus on calculating ratios and graphing nutritional information to assess the validity of media claims. Professionals such as nutritionists and mental health specialists will facilitate discussions, helping students differentiate between fact and fiction, and laying the groundwork for their personal health explorations.

Exhibition

Students will present their personal health portfolios, showcasing their health guides, meal plans, and mental health strategies, incorporating math activities such as analyzing nutritional data using ratios and graphing. They will also share a video journey that captures their research process and newfound understanding of health. The exhibition will be an open event where community partners, such as nutritionists and mental health specialists, are invited to provide feedback and engage with students' work. This celebration of learning will allow students to articulate their growth and insights, fostering a deeper connection with the community.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Project Launch: Media Myth Busters Workshop - In small groups, students analyze and critique health trends in the media with guidance from a nutritionist, focusing on distinguishing fact from fiction using real-world data (45 min)	Introduction to Health Concepts - Explore what health means by discussing various aspects such as physical, mental, and nutritional health, and record initial thoughts on what being healthy means to them (20 min) Exploring Health Trends - Research current health trends in the media, identifying sources, and discussing with peers the credibility of these trends (25 min)	Math Connection: Ratios in Nutrition - Learn and apply ratio reasoning to calculate nutritional values from given food data, aligning with CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.RP.A.3 (25 min) Health Trend Critique - Write a brief critique on a chosen health trend using gathered information, focusing on distinguishing supported claims from unsupported ones (20 min)	Historical Health Trends - Investigate the history of health trends over the last century and discuss how perceptions of health have evolved (20 min) Graphing Nutritional Information - Create simple graphs to represent the nutritional data calculated during the math activity, reinforcing CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.RP.A.3 (25 min)	Reflection: What Does Healthy Mean to Me? - Reflect on the week's activities and insights gained, writing a personal reflection on what being healthy means to them now compared to the beginning of the week (20 min) Introduction to Personalized Health Plan - Begin brainstorming ideas for a personalized health plan, incorporating aspects of physical, mental, and nutritional health (25 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed analysis and critique of a health trend article or video, highlighting credible and non-credible claims. 2. Math worksheet focusing on calculating and interpreting nutritional ratios from food labels.
Preparation	1. Gather a selection of health trend articles and video clips for the 'Media Myth Busters' workshop. 2. Arrange for community partners, such as a nutritionist and mental health specialist, to attend the workshop. 3. Create a research checklist with criteria for assessing source credibility to guide students. 4. Prepare math worksheets and nutritional labels for the ratio calculation activity. 5. Develop an overview of the history of health presentation and discussion questions. 6. Set up a journaling template for student reflections.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Health Trend Analysis - Collaborate in pairs to critique current health trends in the media, identifying credible sources and unsupported claims (45 min)	Expert Insights Session - Engage with a nutritionist to understand key aspects of a balanced diet and ask questions about media myths (25 min) Reflective Journal Entry - Write a reflection on the insights gained from the nutritionist, focusing on how it changes your understanding of a healthy diet (20 min)	Ratio and Graphing Workshop - Use ratio reasoning to calculate nutritional values and create graphs representing sample meal plans (45 min)	Healthy Recipe Development - Work in groups to create a healthy recipe using ratio calculations to ensure balanced nutrition (25 min) Peer Review - Exchange recipes with another group for feedback, focusing on nutritional balance and clear instructions (20 min)	Meal Plan Drafting - Begin drafting a personal meal plan using insights from the week's activities and feedback received (30 min) Reflection Discussion - Participate in a class discussion reflecting on what being healthy means personally and how perceptions have evolved (15 min)
Deliverables	1. A written evaluation of the credibility of sources on a specific health trend. 2. A graph representing the nutritional analysis of a chosen meal. 3. A draft section of their personal health guide, including nutritional and mental health components.
Preparation	1. Arrange a guest speaker session with a community nutritionist for nutritional analysis insights. 2. Prepare a checklist for evaluating source credibility for student reference. 3. Provide graphing materials and templates for students to use in creating nutritional data graphs. 4. Coordinate a discussion session with a mental health specialist to explore mental health strategies. 5. Set up peer review sessions for students to share and receive feedback on their draft health guide sections.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Personal Health Plan Introduction - Begin with a brainstorming session to identify personal health goals, focusing on physical, mental, and nutritional health, and consider how these goals align with the essential question 'What is healthy?' (20 min) Math Application: Nutritional Ratio Calculation - Calculate ratios of macronutrients in sample meal plans, applying CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.RP.A.3 to deepen understanding of balanced nutrition (25 min)	Mental Health Strategy Session - Engage in a workshop facilitated by a mental health specialist to explore strategies for maintaining mental well-being and reflect on personal mental health needs (25 min) Reflective Journal Entry - Write a journal entry reflecting on insights from the mental health strategy session and how they will be integrated into the personal health plan (20 min)	Community Partner Collaboration: Nutritionist Visit - Interact with a nutritionist to gain a deeper understanding of nutritional needs and ask questions related to personal dietary goals (30 min) Graphing Nutritional Data - Use the nutritional information from the nutritionist session to create graphs illustrating the balance of macronutrients in proposed meal plans, reinforcing CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.RP.A.3 (15 min)	Critique and Revision Workshop - Collaborate in peer groups to critique initial drafts of personal health plans, using feedback to revise and improve the integration of physical, mental, and nutritional health strategies (30 min) Reflection Discussion - Participate in a group discussion reflecting on the revision process and how peer feedback has influenced personal health goals (15 min)	Portfolio Development - Begin compiling the personal health portfolio, integrating revised health plans, reflections, and graphical representations of nutritional data (25 min) Video Journey Planning - Plan the structure and content of a video presentation documenting the personal health journey, including insights gained and the evolution of health understanding (20 min)
Deliverables	1. A draft of a personalized meal plan based on nutritional research and ratio calculations. 2. A revised meal plan, incorporating feedback from the nutritionist and peers. 3. A graph representing the nutritional breakdown of their meal plan, showcasing their understanding of math concepts related to ratios and graphing.
Preparation	1. Ensure access to digital or print resources on nutritional information for students to research. 2. Arrange a virtual or in-person session with a community nutritionist for feedback on student meal plans. 3. Prepare materials for graphing activities, such as graph paper, colored pencils, or digital graphing tools. 4. Create a rubric for students to self-assess and peer-assess their meal plans and graphs. 5. Organize a list of questions or prompts for the session with the nutritionist to guide student inquiry.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Guided Research Session - Collaborate in pairs to research credible sources on health trends, focusing on gathering evidence to support personal health plans (45 min)	Community Partner Interaction: Psychologist Visit - Engage with a psychologist to explore mental health strategies and discuss how these can be integrated into personal health plans (25 min) Reflective Journal Entry - Reflect on the psychologist's insights and note how these impact personal mental health goals (20 min)	Math Workshop: Graphing Health Statistics - Use ratio reasoning to graph health statistics related to personal health plans, reinforcing CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.RP.A.3 (30 min) Personal Health Plan Refinement - Revise health plans using insights from research and community partner interactions, ensuring alignment with personal health goals (15 min)	Critique Session: Peer Feedback - Exchange refined personal health plans with peers for constructive feedback, incorporating suggestions to improve clarity and effectiveness (25 min) Reflection Discussion - Discuss in groups how feedback influenced personal health plans and share evolving understanding of health concepts (20 min)	Portfolio Compilation - Continue developing the personal health portfolio, integrating revised health plans, reflections, and graphical health data (30 min) Video Journey Drafting - Begin drafting the video narrative, capturing key moments of the personal health journey and insights gained (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed draft of a personalized health guide including initial meal plan and mental health strategies. 2. Graphs representing nutritional values from meal plans, highlighting ratios and proportions. 3. Reflection journal entry on insights gained from community partner feedback.
Preparation	1. Organize a workshop with a community nutritionist and mental health specialist for personalized feedback sessions. 2. Prepare graphing tools and software for students to create visual representations of their meal plans. 3. Gather additional sources and materials on nutrition and mental health for students to refine their health guides. 4. Set up a peer review session where students can critique and provide feedback on each other’s health plans.

Week 5	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Portfolio Review and Goal Setting - Review compiled portfolios and set specific goals for finalizing personal health plans, focusing on clarity, depth, and personal relevance (20 min) Graph Interpretation Workshop - Analyze graphs created in previous weeks, drawing conclusions about nutritional balance and proposing improvements to meal plans (25 min)	Community Partner Feedback Session - Present personal health plans to community partners, such as nutritionists and mental health specialists, and receive constructive feedback (30 min) Reflection Journal Entry - Reflect on feedback received and articulate adjustments to health plans and personal growth throughout the project (15 min)	Final Health Plan Development - Incorporate feedback to finalize personal health plans, ensuring a comprehensive approach to physical, mental, and nutritional health (30 min) Math Application: Ratio and Graph Revision - Revise ratio calculations and graphs to accurately represent finalized meal plans, reinforcing CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.RP.A.3 (15 min)	Video Journey Production - Begin filming and editing the video journey, highlighting key insights, research findings, and personal health evolutions (25 min) Peer Critique Session - Share video drafts with peers for feedback, focusing on clarity, engagement, and depth of understanding (20 min)	Exhibition Preparation - Prepare for the exhibition by organizing portfolios, finalizing videos, and rehearsing presentations to articulate personal health journeys (30 min) Reflection and Celebration - Participate in a class reflection on the project's impact, sharing personal growth and celebrating collective achievements (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Finalized personal health plan, including balanced meal plan and mental health strategies. 2. Graphs representing nutritional data from meal plans using ratio reasoning. 3. Video journey documenting research, critiques, and insights into health trends. 4. Completed portfolio showcasing the personal health journey and reflections.
Preparation	1. Gather feedback from community partners on student health plans. 2. Provide access to video editing software and equipment for recording. 3. Prepare graphing tools and resources for students to create nutritional graphs. 4. Ensure availability of digital platforms for portfolio organization and exhibition preparation. 5. Facilitate reflection discussions and provide prompts to guide self-evaluation.

Week 6	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Final Portfolio Compilation - Complete the assembly of personal health portfolios, ensuring inclusion of all revised health plans, reflections, and graphical nutritional data (25 min) Video Journey Filming - Record key segments for the personal video journey, focusing on articulating insights and the evolution of health understanding (20 min)	Math Analysis: Health Data Interpretation - Use ratio reasoning to interpret and analyze health statistics, reinforcing CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.RP.A.3 (20 min) Video Journey Editing - Begin editing the video journey, selecting the most impactful moments and ensuring clarity and coherence (25 min)	Final Refinement Workshop - Conduct a peer review session to provide final feedback on portfolios and video journeys, focusing on clarity and depth of understanding (25 min) Reflection Journal Entry - Write a final reflection on the personal health journey and how the understanding of 'What is healthy?' has evolved (20 min)	Exhibition Preparation - Prepare presentation materials for the health journey exhibition, rehearsing the delivery of key insights and findings (20 min) Math Connection: Graphing Exhibition Data - Create graphs to visually represent data from the personal health plans for the exhibition, reinforcing CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.RP.A.3 (25 min)	Exhibition Day - Present personal health portfolios and video journeys to community partners and peers, articulating the journey and insights gained (30 min) Exhibition Reflection - Engage in a group reflection on the exhibition experience, discussing feedback received and personal growth throughout the project (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed personal health guide with meal plan, mental health strategies, and reflection. 2. Final video journey documenting research and understanding of health trends. 3. Comprehensive portfolio showcasing personal health journey and critiques. 4. Graphical representation of nutritional data using ratios, aligned with grade 6 math standards.
Preparation	1. Arrange for community partners such as nutritionists and mental health specialists to attend the exhibition. 2. Ensure all necessary technology for video editing and presentation is available and functional. 3. Provide materials for portfolio assembly, such as binders, dividers, and printing access for documents. 4. Set up the exhibition space to accommodate presentations and audience interaction.