Family

• While middle school students are starting to make independent decisions, at their age, family is still an integral part of their lives--especially in the areas of health. Many parents have strong emotional and religious feelings about some of the topics that will be discussed in health class. This is likely to be true even in areas such as diet and wellness. Be sure to involve your students' parents in the lessons you will be teaching and consider the students' cultural and religious background in all topics. Approach parent feedback with respect and open communication.
  
  

Diet/Exercise

• Diet and exercise lessons are important at the middle school level. Children are beginning to make their own decisions regarding what they will eat. With the environment and sustainable living being important issues, tie in your students' dietary choices to these topics. Remember that your students may come from diverse backgrounds, so be sure to include this diversity as part of your dietary discussion. Children are also beginning to develop an awareness of their bodies that may make them uncomfortable. Ensure that discussion or activities involving exercise are sensitive to all students. Try to find physical fitness activities that allow each student to be successful in her own way and that don't single out "stars."
  
  

Wellness

• Focusing on wellness and ways students can make their bodies, minds and emotions better will give them motivation for learning in health class. It's important that teachers show students how taking care of themselves is "cool." At this age, other influences can start to make children see self-destructive and dangerous behavior as somehow desirable. Teachers can counter this to some extent by making wellness, fitness and good health seem desirable, fun and obtainable.
  
  

Sex/Drugs

• Because of peer pressure and media influences, children in middle school are wrestling with attitudes about sex and drugs. This makes it especially important that students are educated about the dangers around such activities, but these are also among the most difficult topics for health teachers to address. In deciding how to present these topics, consider the policies of your school, discuss your approach to these topics with colleagues and be sure to get feedback and information from parents.