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What does a student learn in ?

These are the years students learn the basics of taking care of themselves and being kind to others. Students name healthy habits like washing hands, brushing teeth, eating real food, and getting enough sleep. They practice telling a trusted adult when something feels wrong and start making small choices on their own, like picking water over soda. By spring, students can explain one healthy habit they follow and who they would ask for help.

  • Healthy habits
  • Trusted adults
  • Feelings and friendships
  • Making choices
  • Asking for help
Source: Vermont Common Core State Standards
Year at a glance
How the year usually goes. Every school and district set their own curriculum, so treat this as a guide, not official pacing.
  1. 1

    Healthy habits at home and school

    Students learn the basics of taking care of their bodies. That means washing hands, brushing teeth, eating a mix of foods, sleeping enough, and moving every day.

  2. 2

    Feelings, friends, and safe choices

    Students practice naming what they feel and asking for help when something feels wrong. They learn what safe touch looks like and how to handle a problem with a friend.

  3. 3

    Who and what shapes our choices

    Students notice that family, friends, ads, and shows all push them toward certain choices. They start to spot when a message is trying to sell them something.

  4. 4

    Speaking up and setting goals

    Students practice saying no, asking for what they need, and making a small plan to try something new like drinking more water or going to bed on time. They also share healthy ideas with classmates.

Mastery Learning Standards
The required skills a student should display by the end of Grade 1.
Health Education
  • Use functional knowledge of health concepts to support health and well-being of…

    Grades K-2

    Students learn basic health facts, like how germs spread or why sleep matters, and practice using that knowledge to make simple choices that keep themselves and the people around them healthy.

  • Analyze influences that affect health and well-being of self and others

    Grades K-2

    Students look at what shapes their health choices, like family habits, friends, ads, or where they live. They start to notice which influences help them stay healthy and which ones make it harder.

  • Access valid and reliable resources to support health and well-being of self…

    Grades K-2

    Students learn where to find trustworthy information about staying healthy, like a school nurse, a doctor, or a parent, and how to use those sources to help themselves or someone else.

  • Use interpersonal communication skills to support health and well-being of self…

    Grades K-2

    Students practice saying how they feel, asking for help, and listening when others speak. These everyday conversation skills help them stay safe and support the people around them.

  • Use a decision-making process to support health and well-being of self and…

    Grades K-2

    Students practice a simple step-by-step process for making choices that keep themselves and others healthy and safe, like deciding what to do when a friend gets hurt.

  • Use a goal-setting process to support health and well-being of self and others

    Grades K-2

    Students pick a simple health goal, like drinking more water or getting to bed on time, then map out the steps to reach it. They also think about how that goal helps the people around them.

  • Demonstrate practices and behaviors to support health and well-being of self…

    Grades K-2

    Students practice everyday habits that keep themselves and the people around them healthy, like washing hands, getting enough sleep, and staying active.

  • Advocate to promote health and well-being of self and others

    Grades K-2

    Students learn to speak up for healthy choices, for themselves and the people around them. That might mean asking a grown-up for help, encouraging a friend to rest when sick, or explaining why handwashing matters.