LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Understand the link between mental health and exercise.

HEALTH ED STANDARDS

CASEL COMPETENCY: Self-Awareness

 

NHES: 7: Demonstrate practices and behaviors to support health and well- being of self and others.

KEY VOCAB

self-regulation

chronically

lethargic

Lesson Plan: The Mental Health Workout

Yes, physical activity is good for your body. But exercise can also turn that meh mood around. Here’s how.

PREPARING TO READ

Before you read the article “The Mental Health Workout,” ask your students the following essential question:

How can exercise help you manage your moods?

READING AND DISCUSSION

  • Have your students read the article; read the article out loud to them; or have students partner-read the article out loud. Then revisit the essential question. Have their answers changed?

BUILDING COMPREHENSION

Check students’ comprehension and engagement with the story by using the comprehension quiz, critical-thinking questions, vocab review, reflection prompt, and interactive quiz.

EXTENSION ACTIVITY

Continue the learning journey with the following activity:

Choose from a selection of mental health issues, and summarize what the article taught you about managing that issue. Then conduct online research on exercise’s impact on that specific aspect of mental health.

Print the Lesson Plan

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