How To Use Concept Attainment in Making Healthy Choices Unit

Use concept attainment to help your students learn the difference between healthy and unhealthy behaviors.

This FREEBIE is a great way to begin your Health unit on making healthy choices.

Students study a series of pictures to come up with the concepts of ‘healthy‘ and ‘unhealthy.’

How To Use Making Choices Concept Attainment

1. Hang the “yes” and “no” category cards on a wall or set in a pocket chart.
2. Explain to the students that they are detectives and they need to figure out what concepts you are presenting to them.
3. Tell the students not to blurt out any answers. You will provide them with the opportunity to respond after you have shown them a few examples and non-examples.
4. Show the students one of the picture cards that is a healthy behavior. Tell the students, “This is a yes.” Post the picture under the “yes” label.
5. Show the students one of the picture cards that is an unhealthy behavior. Tell the students, “This is a no.” Post the picture under the “no” label.
6. Repeat this sequence with four more pictures. Use two “yes” examples and two “no” examples.
7. Ask the students what is similar among the “yes” pictures. Record the responses on a similarities list printed on chart paper or on the white board.
8. Show the students another picture. Ask the students if the picture is a “yes” or a “no.” If the students are correct, place the picture under the  correct label. Continue showing the students a few more pictures. If the students are incorrect, tell them the correct answer and then post it in the correct spot.
9. Revisit the similarities list on the white board or chart paper. Ask the students, “Is there anything we need to change? What else can we add to our list?” Ask the students what   concepts they think are being demonstrated. If the students come up with the term “healthy” and “unhealthy” discontinue the activity. If not, continue with steps 10 and 11.
10.  Present the remainder of the pictures to the students and have the identify them as “yes” or “no.”
11. When you are finished, once again ask the students what the pictures in the “yes” column have in common. If they come up with the concept of “healthy,” acknowledge the correct response. If not, explain the concept to your students and use the picture cards to illustrate the meaning.

** A variation to this activity would be to have the students discuss the criteria in partners before discussing as an entire group (steps 7 and 9).

CLICK HERE to get your FREE copy of the Making Healthy Choices Concept Attainment lesson to use with your students!

Until next time,

Natalie