S.P.E.E.E.C.H Factors

Overview

This 60-minute lesson for Year 11 Health explores the S.P.E.E.E.C.H factors—Social, Political, Economic, Environmental, Emotional, Cultural, and Health—using the global context of the FIFA World Cup as a rich, contemporary case study. Students will analyse the complex influences these factors have during a major international sporting event and reflect on their significance in a health context.

This lesson aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC) Health and Physical Education learning area for Year 11 students, addressing the development of critical thinking about health determinants and societal factors influencing wellbeing, plus building key competencies such as managing self, relating to others, and thinking.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Identify and explain the impact of S.P.E.E.E.C.H factors on individuals and communities during the FIFA World Cup.
Analyse how these factors influence health and wellbeing on global and local scales.
Demonstrate critical thinking and communication skills by collaboratively discussing and presenting ideas.
Reflect on different cultural perspectives and emotional responses related to major sporting events.

Curriculum Links

Health and Physical Education Curriculum (Levels 6-7, Year 11):

Strand: Personal and Community Health
Achievement Objective: Understand how cultural, social, and environmental factors influence people’s practices and perceptions of health and wellbeing (NZC HPE Levels 6-7).
Key Competencies:
Thinking: Critically evaluate social influences on health.
Managing Self: Take responsibility for own learning.
Relating to Others: Participate in discussions and respect diverse viewpoints.

Values:

Community and Participation, Diversity, and Equity explored through understanding global events and their impact on wellbeing.

Materials Needed

Whiteboard and markers
Large printed or digital S.P.E.E.E.C.H factor chart
Printed or digital case study handouts summarising the FIFA World Cup context illustrating each factor
Video clip (3-5 minutes) introducing the FIFA World Cup and some health/social issues related to it (optional)
Pens and paper or digital devices for students
Timer or clock

Lesson Plan Outline (60 minutes)

1. Introduction & Warm-up (10 minutes)

Starter Question: "What comes to mind when you think of the FIFA World Cup?" Ask students to share in pairs, then invite brief whole-class sharing, recording ideas on the board.
Introduce the concept of S.P.E.E.E.C.H factors as a tool to explore complex issues tied to events like the FIFA World Cup.
Briefly explain each factor (Social, Political, Economic, Environmental, Emotional, Cultural, Health).

2. Group Activity – S.P.E.E.E.C.H Exploration (30 minutes)

Divide students into 7 small groups, each assigned one S.P.E.E.E.C.H factor.
Provide a handout or digital document with FIFA World Cup related facts/scenarios relevant to their assigned factor. For example:
Social: Crowd behaviours, community engagement
Political: International relations, protests, governance
Economic: Tourism, job creation, inequality
Environmental: Carbon footprint, waste management
Emotional: Fan passion, stress, identity
Cultural: National pride, cultural representation, inclusion/exclusion
Health: Public health issues, athlete wellbeing, injury management
Each group discusses:
How their factor influences health and wellbeing of players, fans, communities
Positive and negative implications
Groups prepare a 2-minute summary of their findings.

3. Group Presentations and Class Discussion (15 minutes)

Each group presents their findings.
After all presentations, facilitate whole-class discussion on:
How these factors interact and influence each other during large events.
What lessons can be applied locally or personally?
How might these factors affect New Zealanders specifically?

4. Reflection and Wrap-up (5 minutes)

Ask students to write a short personal reflection:
Which S.P.E.E.E.C.H factor surprised or interested you most? Why?
How does understanding these factors help us think differently about health and wellbeing?
Invite a few students to share reflections.

Differentiation and Student Needs

Provide sentence stems or vocabulary lists to support students developing communication skills.
Use visuals and scaffolding for English Language Learners or students requiring extra support.
Challenge extension: Invite students to suggest additional factors or further consequences/events linked to the World Cup.

Assessment

Formative assessment will be ongoing through observation of group discussions and presentations, evaluating students’ ability to:

Apply the S.P.E.E.E.C.H framework coherently
Connect these factors to health and wellbeing concepts
Communicate ideas clearly and respectfully in group settings

Reflection writing will provide insight into student understanding and personal engagement with the topics.

Extension Opportunities

Research project into a specific country’s experience with hosting or participating in the World Cup, examining S.P.E.E.E.C.H factors in more depth.
Exploring similar factors related to other international events or local large-scale sports events.
Creative arts response reflecting emotional and cultural dimensions using drama, music, or visual art.

This lesson plan fosters critical awareness of how varied and interwoven factors affect health outcomes in real-world contexts, empowering students to think deeply about global events and their personal and community impact consistent with NZC Health curriculum principles and competencies.

References to NZ Curriculum components are drawn directly from the official Health and Physical Education Learning Area statements and key competencies outlined in the New Zealand Curriculum document, and enhanced by pedagogical approaches supporting literacy and critical thinking skills aligned with Te Mātaiaho English resources.

Teaching Instructions