Matching Activity: Skill Cues for the SHAPE America Health Skills
Check out these quick and easy bell ringer activities for health class! Perfect for introducing students to the SHAPE America Health Skills.
The health skills are the foundation of the SHAPE America National Health Education Standards. To make teaching the eight health skills easy, memorable, and fun, we’ve created signature skill cues and designed corresponding matching activities. These matching activities are perfect for introducing students to the skill cues (a.k.a. a step-by-step guide for performing each skill).
SHAPE America Standard #1: Build & Apply Functional Knowledge (IDEA)
Use this matching activity to introduce the IDEA Skill Cues for Building and Applying Functional Knowledge:
I - Identify - Identify knowledge gaps and what you want/need to learn more about.
D - Discover - Using the PROVE It Protocol, find valid and reliable health knowledge.
E - Explore - Examine the new health knowledge and define ways it connects to your real life.
A - Apply - Take your new knowledge and apply it to your life and real-world health situations.
SHAPE America Standard #2: Analyzing Influences - Feel, Think, and Act
Use the “Feel, Think, and Act” matching activity to help students understand how their feelings, thoughts, and actions are impacted by the people and things around them (a.k.a. Analyzing Influences):
Feel - The feelings and emotions you’re experiencing.
Think - The thoughts in your head.
Act - Your actions and behaviors.
SHAPE America Standard #2: Analyzing Influences (SCAN)
Use this matching activity to introduce the SCAN Skill Cues for analyzing influences:
S - Situation - Identify a health situation in your life to analyze (i.e. an element of the B.E.S.T. Model).
C - Core Influences - Make a list of the core influences impacting this aspect of your life.
A - Analyzing - Analyze if the influence is positively or negatively impacting the scenario you outlined in Step 1.
N - Now, what? - Create a plan of action for how you will navigate each influence by setting boundaries and/or behavioral expectations for yourself.
SHAPE America Standard #3: Access Resources - Access Valid Information (PROVE It)
Use this matching activity to introduce the PROVE It Skill Cues for fact-checking and accessing valid information:
P - Purpose - Define the creator’s purpose for creating and sharing the content.
R - Recency - Check the publication date or the most recent update (or review) date.
O - Objective - Determine if the information is objective and unbiased.
V - Verifiable - Verify if the information is accurate and valid.
E - Expertise - Assess if the creator is regarded as an authority and expert on the matter.
SHAPE America Standard #3: Access Resources - Access Health Services (ACT)
Use this matching activity to introduce the ACT Skill Cues for accessing services:
A - Acknowledge - Recognize the red flags in your life and acknowledge you need help.
C - Check How Big Of A Deal It Is And Consider Your Options - Check the severity of how big of an issue it is. Then, identify potential people/organizations who can help you.
T - Take Action - Choose an option and take action
SHAPE America Standard #4: Interpersonal Communication (TALK)
Use this matching activity to introduce the TALK Skill Cues for general interpersonal communication skills:
T - Think Before Speaking
A - Actively Listen
L - Listen to Learn
K - Keep it Kind
SHAPE America Standard #5: Decision-Making (WISE)
Use this matching activity to introduce the WISE Skill Cues for decision making:
W - What’s going on? - Identify what specific decision you need to make.
I - Identify Your Options - Explore your options and predict the potential outcomes of each option. Ask yourself, “What’s BEST?” to consider how each decision may impact your overall well-being.
S - Select the BEST Choice - Once you’ve determined which option is BEST, make your decision.
E - Evaluate the Outcome - Look back on your decision and its impact. Did it enrich or harm your well-being? What can you learn for next time? And if the decision has already been made, use the same steps to evaluate your choice.
SHAPE America Standard #6: Goal Setting (GROW)
Use this matching activity to introduce the GROW Skill Cues for goal setting:
G - Get Real - Assess your current situation and identify your starting point.
R - Reach - Set realistic, meaningful goals to strive toward.
O - Outsmart the Obstacles - Identify potential challenges and plan strategies to address them
W - Work - Take actionable steps to achieve your goals, staying consistent and focused. Reflecting and reevaluating often.
SHAPE America Standard #7: Self-Management (Pause, Reflect, and Act)
Use this matching activity to introduce the Pause, Reflect, and Act Skill Cues for self-management/health-enhancing behaviors:
Pause - First, take a moment to breathe and create space for intentional action, rather than simply acting on autopilot.
Reflect - Next, reflect inward and determine what’s going on internally.
Act - Once you’ve reflected inward, decide on how you will act.
SHAPE America Standard #8: Advocacy for Yourself (ASK)
Use this matching activity to introduce the ASK Skill Cues for self-advocacy:
A - Assess Your Needs - Recognize what you need.
S - Speak Out - Communicate your needs clearly and confidently to the right person.
K - Keep Advocating - Stay determined and adapt your approach as needed.
SHAPE America Standard #8: Advocacy for Others (VOICE)
Use this matching activity to introduce the ASK Skill Cues for advocating for others:
V - Validate the Need - Identify and acknowledge the issue you want to advocate for.
O - Organize Your Thoughts - Gather relevant information and plan what to say.
I - Identify How You Can/Will Help - Make a plan for how you will advocate.
C - Champion Your Cause - Time to put your plan into action and become an advocate.
E - Evaluate the Impact - Follow up on your advocacy efforts and assess their effectiveness.