Grade 8
Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention to enhance health.
- 1.
Discuss the reasons that individuals use and abuse alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD).D-8.1.1
- 2.
Examine the short and long-term effects and consequences of ATOD use, including the impact on society.D-8.1.2
- 3.
Explain ways to access laws relating to ATOD use, possession, and sales.D-8.1.3
- 1.
Explain how roles, including rules and responsibilities of the members in a family, change over time (e.g., parental responsibilities when parenting a teenager versus parental responsibilities when parenting an infant).G-8.1.1
- 2.
Compare and contrast the structures and functions of the male and female reproductive systems.G-8.1.2
- 3.
Describe health issues that can affect male and female reproductive systems.G-8.1.3
- 4.
Discuss the advantages of abstinence.G-8.1.4
- 5.
Describe signs and symptoms and effective treatments of sexually transmitted infections and diseases (STIs/STDs), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and acquired immunodeficiency disease (AIDS).G-8.1.5
- 6.
Explain effective methods for the prevention of STIs/STDs, HIV, AIDS, and unintended pregnancy.G-8.1.6
- 7.
Discuss South Carolina laws relating to the sexual conduct of minors, including criminal sexual conduct through the use of technology.G-8.1.7
- 8.
Examine the scientific process of fertilization, prenatal care and development, childbirth, and postnatal care.G.8.1.8
- 1.
Identify ways to reduce risk of unintentional and intentional injuries in the home, school, and community.I-8.1.1
- 2.
Research the impact of gang activity on individuals, peers, family, school, and the community.I-8.1.2
- 3.
Define human trafficking.I-8.1.3
- 1.
Examine factors that contribute to a positive self-concept.M-8.1.1
- 2.
Discuss the interrelationship among mental, emotional, social, and physical health during adolescence.M-8.1.2
- 3.
Describe the characteristics of resiliency.M-8.1.3
- 4.
Demonstrate effective ways to communicate personal boundaries and show respect for the boundaries of others.M-8.1.4
- 1.
Examine the benefits of choosing healthy foods while following the current federal Dietary Guidelines for Americans.N-8.1.1
- 2.
Discuss ways that disordered eating impacts an individual's health, including oral health.N-8.1.2
- 3.
Explain the mental, social and physical benefits of moderate to vigorous physical activity.N-8.1.3
- 1.
Explain the components of personal wellness.P-8.1.1
- 2.
Discuss how heredity, lifestyle, behaviors, environment, and medical care influence an individual's health.P-8.1.2
- 3.
Research ways in which organ, tissue, and blood donations enhance health promotion.P-8.1.3
Students will analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology, and other factors on health behaviors.
- 1.
Discuss the influence of family, peers, culture, and the media on an individual's opioid use, abuse and dependence.D-8.2.1
- 2.
Evaluate the influence of family, peers, culture, and the media on an individual's ATOD use.D-8.2.2
- 1.
Explain ways that culture and the media influence families and relationships.G-8.2.1
- 2.
Discuss the influence of family, peers, culture, and the media on personal decisions about sexual behavior.G-8.2.2
- 1.
Explain the effect of gangs on personal safety in the community.I-8.2.1
- 2.
Discuss the risk factors, prevention, and support for someone who is involved in human trafficking.I-8.2.2
- 1.
Examine how family, peers, and the media influence the mental, emotional, and social health of adolescents.M-8.2.1
- 2.
Evaluate how external influences affect feelings of depression, as well as the risk of self-harm and suicide.M-8.2.2
- 3.
Explain ways that the media influences an individual's body image.M-8.2.3
- 1.
Describe ways that personal economics and geographic location influence food choices and availability.N-8.2.1
- 2.
Discuss the influence of the environment on a person's physical activity.N-8.2.2
- 1.
Discuss the ways that social norms influence healthy and unhealthy decisions and behaviors.P-8.2.1
Students will demonstrate the ability to access valid information, products, and services to enhance health.
- 1.
Evaluate the availability of valid information, community resources, and testing locations related to reproductive health and STIs/STDs.G-8.3.1
- 2.
Access valid information and resources related to bullying, cyberbullying, dating violence, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and sexual assault.G-8.3.2
- 1.
Locate valid health information, products, and services.M-8.3.1
Students will demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks.
- 1.
Discuss effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills for healthy parent, family, and peer relationships.G-8.4.1
- 2.
Utilize communication and refusal skills to promote sexual abstinence and to avoid risk behaviors.G-8.4.2
- 3.
Compare and contrast ways to communicate with parents, family members, and other safe adults about reproductive health and responsible behaviors.G-8.4.3
- 1.
Apply refusal and negotiation skills to reduce the risk of injury and promote personal safety.I-8.4.1
- 1.
Demonstrate communication skills that foster healthy relationships.M-8.4.1
- 1.
Explain to others the importance of variety and moderation in food selection and consumption with emphasis on healthy foods and beverages.N-8.4.1
Students will demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance health.
- 1.
Examine ways that a person's decisions about ATOD affect his or her family and peers, as well as society.D-8.5.1
- 2.
Explain when and how to ask for assistance in dealing with ATOD abuse with family members.D-8.5.2
- 1.
Apply a decision-making process to promote abstinence and to avoid risk behaviors, including the use of the internet.G-8.5.1
- 1.
Apply a decision-making process to deal with situations involving personal safety and risk when using technology, including the internet, social media, texting, and sexting.I-8.5.1
Students will demonstrate the ability to use goal-setting skills to enhance health.
- 1.
Set a personal specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely (SMART) goal to protect oneself from STIs/STDs, HIV, and AIDS.G-8.6.1
- 2.
Explain effective methods for the prevention of unintended pregnancy in the context of future family planning.G-8.6.2
- 1.
Implement a stress-management plan.M-8.6.1
- 1.
Create a personal SMART goal to achieve a balanced nutrition plan, monitor the progress of that goal, and make the necessary adjustments to reach it.N-8.6.1
- 2.
Develop and implement a plan to increase physical activity.N-8.6.2
- 3.
Develop and implement a personal balanced nutritional plan that benefits oral health as well as overall health.N-8.6.3
Students will demonstrate the ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and avoid or reduce health risks.
- 1.
Explain how to effectively support a person who has been a victim of sexual assault, sexual abuse, rape, domestic violence, or dating violence.G-8.7.1
- 1.
Demonstrate behaviors and strategies to manage conflict in healthy ways.I-8.7.1
- 2.
Plan protective strategies to reduce the risk of violence in the home, school, and community.I-8.7.2
- 1.
Implement strategies to maintain or improve mental, emotional, and social health.M-8.7.1
- 2.
Demonstrate effective skills to negotiate agreements about the use of technology in relationships.M-8.7.2
- 3.
Discuss coping strategies to increase resiliency.M-8.7.3
- 4.
Describe the potential impacts of power differences such as age, status, or position within relationships.M-8.7.4
- 1.
Articulate the importance of assuming personal responsibility for consuming healthy foods and beverages, and engaging in physical activity.N-8.7.1
- 1.
Explain behaviors that may lead to the spread of communicable diseases.P-8.7.1
- 2.
List actions to include in an oral health plan (e.g., floss, receive regular dental cleanings, brush twice a day).P-8.7.2
Students will demonstrate the ability to advocate for personal, family, and community health.
- 1.
Advocate for positive alternatives to ATOD use.D-8.8.1
- 1.
Encourage others to provide active bystander-interventions when others are at risk.I-8.8.1
- 1.
Implement an advocacy plan to promote healthy food and beverage choices, and physical activity in the community.N-8.8.1
- 1.
Demonstrate ways to encourage others to avoid risk behaviors.P-8.8.1
- 2.
Demonstrate ways to advocate for a healthy environment.P-8.8.2
Frequently asked questions
- What grade levels do these standards cover?
- Grade 8
- When were these standards adopted?
- 2017
- Where can I read the official document?
- South Carolina Academic Standards for Health and Safety Education
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