Horizons Health Workbook Gr 4

Horizons has developed a quality health program which incorporates the Bible into the realm of health education. If you believe that God created us in His image, you will want to train your children to care for their whole person in a way that is glorifying to Him. God has given us the task to care for ourselves as part of His creation. Horizons Health provides you with the opportunity to deal with basic life issues from a Christian perspective.

Each level of the program deals with 11 strands of health education: emotional/mental health, social health, family life/human sexuality, growth and development, personal health, community health, nutrition, disease prevention, safety and first aid, substance use and abuse; and consumer health. Throughout the levels of the course, students will be given scripture to reinforce the concepts being taught. Units can be taught in any order, so you don't have to follow the order of the lessons in the book. This allows you some flexibility. At each level, there is a focus on different aspects of health. Kindergarten curriculum helps children recognize God's will for healthy living. Grade 1 teaches them the importance of health. Grade 2 gives tips for healthy living. Grade 3 teaches students about their body systems. Grade 4 shows students how God made them. Grade 5 develops fitness disciplines, connecting with their emotions, and understanding their changing bodies. Grade 6 shows students how to be healthy inside and out, and grade 7/8 helps young people identify their spiritual gifts, communicate with others, and understand gender differences.

In each level there are lessons on personal safety. At the K-2 levels the unit includes stranger education, and in grades K-8 there is one lesson on sexual abuse. These lessons are taught in very age-appropriate terms. Sex education is presented in the context of family life and human sexuality. Every level of the program will have lessons about human sexuality, and in 5th grade they deal specifically with puberty and its changes. AIDS education is presented in the context of disease prevention. The subject of AIDS isn't introduced until 3rd grade, and 5th grade has a lesson on sexually transmitted diseases. Remember, the units are stand alone, and you can do only the units that fit your curriculum needs.

The Teacher Guide lays each lesson out for you. It begins with a list of materials and things you need to prepare for the lesson. It then gives you a list of objectives for that lesson. A background section will give you some additional information that will help with explanations to the student. The lesson is then presented in a step-by-step fashion, followed by a student activity. A list of related activities and optional reading is suggested for extension or extra reinforcement of the topic. The curriculum is intended to be taught 2-3 days per week.

The Student Workbook at the kindergarten level contains 40 student visuals and drawing activities. Grades 1-8 include visuals and writing activities. All activities in the workbooks are administered by an adult. Unit evaluations are included beginning at grade 3. Workbook pages are referenced in the materials list found in the Teacher Guide for the appropriate lesson.

A Student Book is used for grades 3-6. This text includes full-color photos and illustrations, additional readings, and questions to help reinforce the lesson.

Sets include all required books at the given grade level. Grades K-2 Sets include the grade level Teacher Guide and Student Worktext. Sets for Grades 3-6 include the grade level Teacher Guide, Student Textbook, and the Student Workbook. The Set for Grade 7-8 includes the grade level Teacher Guide and Student Worktext. 

Although written for the Christian school setting, lessons are completely appropriate for homeschool. You'll find group and team activities suggested in the teacher book that you will be able to do with a single child with some adaptation. This curriculum definitely fits a need within the Christian community. It is important to teach our children accountability to God for the way we live our lives. The things they learn to apply now will help students establish patterns that can benefit them for life.