Health

Standard 7: Students will demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and avoid or reduce health risks.

• K-2 Demonstrate healthy practices and behaviors to maintain or improve personal health.
• 3-5 Demonstrate a variety of healthy practices and behaviors to maintain or improve personal health.
• 6-8 Demonstrate healthy practices and behaviors that will maintain or improve the health of self and others.

Source: National Health Education Standards

Fine Arts: Visual Arts

K-8 Standard 3: Choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols and ideas

• K-4 Students select and use subject matter, symbols and ideas to communicate meaning.
   
• 5-8 Students use subjects, themes and symbols that demonstrate knowledge of contexts, values and aesthetics that communicate intended meaning in artworks.

Source: National Standards for Arts Education

Puzzles are exceptional learning tools that inspire analytical and critical thinking skills in people of all ages. It's amazing how quickly students grasp major concepts through games. This project reinforces the importance of basic health habits and how such habits contribute to a happy lifestyle. Hands-on activities engage students as they not only create their own puzzles, but also have the opportunity to assemble puzzles made by their classmates. In this way, teachers are meeting the social-emotional needs of their students. Such interaction stimulates student thought and generates discussion of other options for healthy living. Students learn to listen patiently and take turns listening to each other's ideas. Effectively, they develop positive life skills. Furthermore, colorful puzzles stimulate the brain and simple icons represent learning concepts. As students realize the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, they incorporate such habits into their daily practice. As a result, students come to school more energized and ready to learn.

(Figure A)

(Figure B)

(Figure C)

(Figure D)

Supplies Used: Cardstock, Colored Pencils, Glue, Pens, Scissors

The teacher will die-cut the materials for student use prior to the lesson.

The teacher will die-cut the materials for student use prior to the lesson.

1. Die-cut a red and green Apple. Leave the red Apple whole. Adhere the stem of the green Apple to the red Apple (Figure A).
2. Adhere the Apple to colored construction paper or cardstock (Figure B).
3. Die-cut the Apple using Puzzle #6, keeping the Apple within the borders of the Puzzle (Figure C).
4. Carefully remove the pieces and lay them flat on a desk (Figure D).
5. Students will write one healthy habit on each of the six Puzzle pieces (e.g., healthy food, exercise, good night's rest, etc).
6. Students will share their puzzles and take turns putting them together.
7. Mount the pieces onto colored 6" x 5" colored construction paper or cardstock for display (see Main Photo).