Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1
Health and Wellness
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Health and Wellness
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Subject: Physical Education Health Core
Class: SHS 1
Term: 1st Term
Week: 20
Grade code: 1.1.5.LI.1
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 5
Content standard code: 1.1.3.CS.1
Indicator code: 1.1.5.LI.1
Theme: Physical Activity and Health
Subtheme: Health and Wellness
This page supports the lesson note with a companion video and a short classroom-ready summary.
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Welcome, students! Today, we are discussing a topic that is fundamental to everything we do in life: Health and Wellness. In Ghana, we often think of health as simply not being sick with malaria or a cough. But true health is much more than that. It is the fuel that allows you to study hard for your WASSCE, have the energy to play football with your friends, help your family at home, and live a long, happy life. Wellness is the active journey we take to achieve this state of complete health. This lesson will introduce you to the core principles, or "pillars," that support a healthy and well-balanced life, giving you the tools to make positive choices for yourselves every day.
This section contains the core content for the lesson. As a teacher, you can present this information using a mix of direct instruction, questioning, and class discussion. Part 1: Defining Health and Wellness
Many people use the words "health" and "wellness" to mean the same thing, but there is a small, important difference. Health: The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." Physical Health: This is what we usually think of. It's about your body working properly. Are you strong? Do you have energy? Are you free from sickness? Mental Health: This is about your mind. Can you think clearly? Can you handle stress? Do you feel good about yourself? Social Health: This relates to your relationships. Do you have good friends? Do you feel part of your family and community? Can you communicate well with others? Example: A student might not have a fever (good physical health) but could be feeling very worried about exams (poor mental health). According to the WHO, this student is not in a state of complete health. Wellness: Wellness is the active process of making choices and adopting behaviours that lead to a state of holistic health. It's not something you *have*; it's something you *do*. Analogy: Health is the destination (a strong, happy life). Wellness is the journey you take to get there (the daily choices you make). Example: Choosing to drink water instead of a sugary drink, deciding to go to bed early instead of watching movies all night, or talking to a friend when you feel sad—these are all wellness choices. Part 2: The Four Pillars of Health
Think of your health like a building. For it to be strong and stable, it needs solid pillars to hold it up. If one pillar is weak, the whole building can become unstable. The four main pillars of health are:
Pillar 1: Nutrition (Balanced Diet) This is about the food you eat. Food is the fuel for your body. To work well, your body needs the right kind of fuel. In Ghana, we are blessed with a variety of nutritious foods. A balanced diet should include: Carbohydrates (Energy Givers): These give you energy for daily activities like walking, studying, and playing. *Ghanaian Examples:* Banku, Kenkey, Fufu, Yam, Rice, Gari. Proteins (Body Builders): These help your body grow, repair tissues, and build strong muscles. *Ghanaian Examples:* Fish (Tilapia, Mackerel), Chicken, Beans, Groundnuts, Eggs, 'Wagashi' (cheese). Vitamins and Minerals (Protective Foods): These boost your immune system to fight diseases and keep your body functioning correctly. *Ghanaian Examples:* Kontomire, Garden eggs, Okro, Oranges, Mangoes, Pawpaw, Pineapple.