Category: excerpts

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Harvard Discovers a New Planet

Researchers at Harvard University collaborated with teachers and principals of public middle schools to create an incredible interdisciplinary curriculum. Planet Health was developed with the vision to improve cardiovascular health and to lower obesity rates in adolescents of sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. The message behind the theory is simple- nutritious eating and exercise improve the overall state of health, and thus contributes to a better quality of life. This humble idea seems commonplace, however, obesity rates among adolescents continues to rise. It’s not so much the message that Planet Health promotes, but the means of delivery that shines so brightly. Interdisciplinary learning has become quite trendy, and based on its success, it will not go out of style anytime soon. Planet Health’s curriculum intermingles beautifully with language arts, math, science, social studies, and physical education, and at Healthy Teens, interdisciplinary curricula is always knuckle bump worthy.

Planet Health’s objectives don’t stop at vegetables and cycling; the push to decrease television watching among adolescents is at the forefront of their motives. Why? Because most people watch TV with their glutes glued to the couch, thus encouraging the act of being sedentary. Furthermore, the plethora of commercials showing deep-dish pizza slices dripping with glistening cheese (in slow-motion nonetheless), appeal to the devil on our left shoulders.

The CDC is an advocate for Planet Health based on some recent studies. One study showed that girls who participate in Planet Health were less likely to engage in eating disorder behaviors. Boston Public Schools partnered with Planet Health, and even ran a test curriculum to see if it could still offer success in six inner-city middle schools with limited resources. The CDC funded the research, and found that 90% of teachers found the program effective among their students. Massachusetts is only one of forty-eight states that have purchased the Planet Health curriculum.

So what does this curriculum entail? The second edition, which can be purchased with the click of a finger, includes up-to-date nutrition and physical activity information. It also comes with a CD-ROM that provides worksheets and many other ready-to-use resources. Thirty-five lesson plans are at your fingertips, as well as a FitCheck self-assessment tool so students can track their activity levels. The website offers resources to help teachers connect with parents on this mission for improving the health of their children, including newsletter samples and interactive fact sheets.

At Healthy Teens, we believe in the power of interdisciplinary curricula, especially when pairing with the subject we have no choice but to engage in for a lifetime- health. We have spread word to our fellow teachers, administrators, and parents about this program that simply makes sense, and is easy to implement. We just ordered our copy of Planet Health, and we encourage you to do the same!

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This Generation is so On!

Healthy Teens sends a huge knuckle bump to everyone at generationOn! This global youth service organization is putting massive amounts of power in the hands of teens- and we sure love that! In a nutshell, generationOn allows teens to choose causes and service within their communities, and to implement action. The wonderful part about this organization is that the service and events are run by youth. Although adults are behind the scenes, they act as the drivers to make these ideas possible, and to provide the tools to success. Teens formulate ideas, create teams, delegate jobs, and take inspiring action. Not only are members of generationOn making a difference in their communities, but they are also gaining some serious experience as leaders and coworkers. The events allow for opportunities to work in the fields of business management, public relations, accounting, and human resources. A recent bowling event to raise money for kids with disabilities took place in 2014, as you can see in the clip below.

Since its start in October 2010, generationOn has spread nation-wide. A great tool for expansion is the online community that allows teens to work with one another across the country for ideas that will impact wherever they call home. By exploring the teens tab, you will find various noble tools and visions for change that teens can get involved with today. There is also a tab for kids, parents and families, educators, and organizations. The education zone is of particular interest to us at Healthy Teens as we feel schools have such a profound ability to encourage change. Opportunities for professional development are available for teachers, and include webinars, workshops, and readings. GenerationOn has partnered with Learning to Give, a leading developer of lessons and resources that teach lifelong skills through service-learning. Over 1,700 lesson plans are shared in their Philanthropy Education Lessons. This curriculum is aligned with Common Core Standards, and the standards of all fifty states, not to mention Bermuda, Canada, Australia, India, the United Kingdom, and the International Philanthropy Standards. Learning to Give believes that all youth should be given the education and equipment to engage in lifelong philanthropic service to better their communities.

GenerationOn is working hard and so are its members. They offer educators the tools to teach, and teens the empowerment to choose a rightful cause and take action. Talk about democracy! The energy they emit is definitely worth getting hooked on, so keep up with their site and their blog– who knows where it may lead you.