Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 2
Health and Wellness
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Health and Wellness
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Subject: Physical Education Health Core
Class: SHS 2
Term: 1st Term
Week: 2
Grade code: 1.1.5.LI.6
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 5
Content standard code: 1.1.3.CS.1
Indicator code: 1.1.5.LI.6
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.
For class groups and homework, share this lesson page so learners also get the summary, objectives, and full lesson context.
Good morning, class. We often think that being healthy just means not being sick or having a strong body. But true health, or 'wellness', is much broader. It’s about balance in all areas of our lives. We have already looked at the physical, emotional, and social parts of wellness. Today, we will explore four other very important dimensions that deeply affect our happiness, success, and peace of mind as Ghanaians: the spiritual, environmental, occupational, and financial aspects of our lives. Understanding these will help you make better decisions now as students and prepare you for a more fulfilling life after school.
This section breaks down the four components of wellness. We will use examples you can relate to.
(Engage: Start with a "Think-Pair-Share." Ask students: "Besides physical exercise and eating well, what else does a person need to feel truly happy and successful in life?" Give them 2 minutes to think and share with a partner, then ask a few pairs to share with the class.)
A. Spiritual Wellness Definition: Spiritual wellness is not strictly about religion. It is about having a sense of purpose, meaning, and direction in life. It involves understanding your personal values and beliefs and living in a way that is consistent with them. It’s about finding peace and harmony within yourself and with the world around you. Explanation in Ghanaian Context: In Ghana, this is often expressed through religion (Christianity, Islam, Traditional African Religion). Activities like praying, attending church or mosque, and participating in religious festivals can provide a strong sense of community, hope, and moral guidance. However, it can also be non-religious. For example, finding purpose through: Community Service: Volunteering to help others (e.g., at an orphanage, a community clean-up). Connection with Nature: Feeling at peace while walking by the sea at Labadi beach or hiking in the Aburi mountains. Art and Music: Expressing yourself or finding meaning through music, dance, or painting. How it Influences Life: Positive Influence: A strong sense of spiritual wellness can give you hope during difficult times (like failing an exam), provide a moral compass for making tough decisions, and reduce stress by helping you see the bigger picture. Negative Influence: A lack of purpose can lead to feelings of being lost, hopeless, or empty. It can make small challenges seem overwhelming.
B. Environmental Wellness Definition: Environmental wellness is about having a positive relationship with the environment around you—both the natural world (air, water, land) and your man-made surroundings (your home, school, community). It means understanding how your actions affect the environment and how the environment affects your health and well-being. Explanation in Ghanaian Context: Your Immediate Environment: Think about your school compound. Is it clean or littered with plastic waste ("borla")? A clean, well-kept environment can make you feel proud, calm, and focused. A dirty, noisy, or unsafe environment can cause stress and illness. Your Community: Issues like illegal mining ("galamsey") polluting our rivers (like the Pra River), or poor sanitation in crowded areas leading to diseases like cholera, are examples of poor environmental wellness on a larger scale. How it Influences Life: Positive Influence: Living in a clean, safe, and pleasant environment improves physical health (less sickness) and mental health (reduced anxiety). Taking care of your environment gives you a sense of responsibility and connection. Negative Influence: A polluted or unsafe environment can directly cause diseases, increase stress levels, and make it difficult to feel good. For example, constant noise from a nearby "spot" or generator can disrupt sleep and concentration.