Understanding Wellbeing

Lesson Overview

Year Group: Year 8
Subject: Health
Unit: Exploring Personal Wellbeing (Lesson 1 of 12)
Duration: 60 minutes
Curriculum Area: Health and Physical Education | Level 4
Big Idea: Wellbeing is influenced by our thoughts, feelings, relationships, and environment.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Understand the concept of wellbeing and its importance in their lives.
• Identify different aspects of wellbeing (physical, mental, social, and emotional).
• Reflect on what wellbeing means to them personally.

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction – Haere Mai! (10 minutes)

• Teacher Greeting & Settling In: Welcome students and briefly explain today’s focus.
• Whakataukī Discussion: Write this whakataukī on the board:
  "He oranga ngākau, he pikinga waiora" (Positive feelings in your heart will raise your sense of self-worth).
  • Ask students:
    • What do you think this means?
    • How might this relate to wellbeing?
• Think-Pair-Share: Students quickly discuss their ideas with a partner and share with the class.

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2. What is Wellbeing? (15 minutes)

• Brainstorm (5 minutes):
  • Write “Wellbeing” in the middle of the board.
  • Students call out words that they associate with wellbeing (e.g., happiness, exercise, friends, sleep, feeling safe).
  • Organise responses into four categories:
    • Taha tinana (Physical Wellbeing)
    • Taha whānau (Social Wellbeing)
    • Taha wairua (Spiritual Wellbeing)
    • Taha hinengaro (Mental & Emotional Wellbeing)
• Group Work (10 minutes):
  • Divide the class into four groups, with each group assigned one of the four aspects above.
  • Each group creates a mini-poster (on A3 paper) showing what their aspect of wellbeing looks like in daily life.
  • Example prompts:
    • "What are some activities/actions that improve this area?"
    • "What happens when this area is neglected?"
  • Groups briefly present their findings (2 minutes per group).

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3. Personal Reflection – My Wellbeing (15 minutes)

• Silent Reflection (5 minutes):
  • Students complete a short wellbeing self-check:
    • Write down three things that make them feel good.
    • Write down one challenge they face in maintaining their wellbeing.
• Wellbeing Collage (10 minutes):
  • Students start creating a simple "My Wellbeing" visual using paper and drawings.
  • They include pictures or words representing:
    • A daily habit that supports their wellbeing.
    • A person or place that makes them feel good.
    • One goal for improving their wellbeing this term.

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4. Closing Reflection – Wellbeing Pledge (10 minutes)

• Class Discussion (5 minutes):
  • "What is one thing you learned today about wellbeing?"
  • "What is one small action you can take this week to look after your wellbeing?"
• Wellbeing Pledge (5 minutes):
  • Students write one sentence starting with:
    • “To support my wellbeing, I will…”
  • Collect and display pledges on a “Wellbeing Wall” in the classroom.

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Assessment & Follow-Up

• Formative Assessment:
  • Observe student discussions and responses.
  • Use "Wellbeing Pledge" as a check-in tool in future lessons.
• Next Lesson Preview:
  • "Next time, we'll look at how relationships and connection affect our wellbeing!"

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Teacher Notes & Adaptations

• Supporting Diverse Learning Needs:
  • Offer pre-written prompts for students needing extra scaffolding.
  • Provide visual examples of what a Wellbeing Collage might include.
• Cultural Considerations:
  • Link wellbeing discussions to hauora and the Māori model of wellbeing (Te Whare Tapa Whā).
• Extension Option:
  • Students can interview a family member about what wellbeing means to them and share next lesson.

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Reflection for Teachers

• What worked well in today’s lesson?
• Did students engage with the discussion on wellbeing?
• Should certain activities be refined for next time?

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This lesson sets a positive foundation for exploring personal wellbeing, connecting students' experiences to key health concepts in the New Zealand curriculum. It is designed to be engaging, reflective, and culturally responsive, ensuring students leave with a deeper understanding of their own wellbeing journey.