A class of eighth grade students recently researched and reported on health topics ranging from domestic violence to heart disease in physical education classes at View Ridge Middle School.
“This is a great idea, ” reported Lauren Lane, a health and wellness journalist at OregonHealthNews.org. “I can see how this can really benefit the students and draw on individual passions and interests”, Lane stated.
Tim Melcher, the physical education teacher at View Ridge, gave students the opportunity to come up with their own topic to research. In addition to learning more about specific topics, the assignment helped familiarize students with public speaking, an activity that can make even adults nervous. “Developing and practicing public speaking will help students as they progress to high school,” said Melcher. “This project challenges students to take on their topics as teaching opportunities so they can help their classmates learn new information, too.”
After selecting their topic, students chose a type of project to create including computer presentations, comic books, children’s books, and poster boards. Aliesha Ball used Microsoft PowerPoint software to present statistics regarding domestic violence and its effects in the U.S. “I’ve known friends in situations involving domestic violence, and I wanted my classmates to be aware of the warning signs, too,” said Ball. “I want to help prevent others from getting into situations where they could get hurt.”
Logan Summers used Prezi, a new type of computer presentation software similar to PowerPoint, to create an engaging presentation about bipolar disorder. “I have a few friends who have the disorder so I was interested in learning more about it,” said Summers. “Presenting in class has never been a problem for me, though I do notice that my knees still wobble from nerves a bit when I first start.”
In addition to computer presentations, some students created brochures and educational children’s books. Autumn Bochart designed and produced an intricate brochure explaining the causes and symptoms of heart disease. “A few members of my family suffer from heart disease resulting in heart attacks and death,” she said. “The disease is so common yet many people don’t realize how serious it can get.”
Jacquelyn Stapper created a children’s book to educate readers about depression. “Initially, I picked the topic because I thought the amount of information out there might make it easier to research,” said Stapper. “However, the most challenging part of the project was figuring how to make a light-hearted children’s book covering depression.”
“I wanted students to create something that they can relate to themselves,” said Melcher. “If we can make health personal to students, they will develop a connection to the material and internalize it.”
Source: OregonHealthNews.org/View Ridge Middle School