Health Hero Lesson Plan Health Hero Academy
Teacher Lesson Plan
Duration
60 MIN
Say Yes to Healthy Choices!
This lesson helps students build a strong foundation for a healthy lifestyle, giving them the confidence and tools to make smart decisions about their well-being now and in the future, with extended practice and reinforcement.
Audience
3rd Grade
Time Split
2 x 30-minute sessions
Approach
Interactive learning, discussion, and refusal practice.
Learning Objectives
Identify healthy choices for body and mind.
Understand the importance of staying drug-free.
Practice 4 polite and firm refusal skills.
Reinforce personal commitment to health.
Preparation
Time Needed: 15 minutes
Review Smart Choices Slide Deck .
Print Healthy Habits Worksheets (1 per student).
Prepare Refusal Role-Play Scenario Cards .
Print Healthy Choices Bingo Cards and gather markers.
Print Healthy Choices Review Warm-Ups .
SESSION 1
Introduction & Understanding Choices
30 MINUTES
5 MIN
GREETING & HOOK
Enthusiastically introduce the topic: making superhero choices for a healthy body and mind. Ask: "What does it mean to be healthy?"
10 MIN
SMART CHOICES SLIDES
Explain drugs and alcohol in an age-appropriate way (substances that hurt growing bodies/brains). Emphasize that certain medicines are only for adults to give to kids, and some things are never for kids.
15 MIN
HEALTHY HABITS WORKSHEET
Distribute worksheet. Guide students through drawing their "Healthy Self" and sorting choices. Discuss answers as a class to reinforce concepts.
SESSION 2
Practice & Reinforce Refusal Skills
30 MINUTES
5 MIN
REVIEW WARM-UP
Distribute the "Review Warm-Up" to recap key learnings from Session 1. Check for understanding of why our bodies are "amazing."
15 MIN
REFUSAL ROLE-PLAY
Introduce the Refusal Skills. Model being "polite and firm." Facilitate small group role-plays using the scenario cards. Provide positive feedback on strong voices.
10 MIN
HEALTHY CHOICES BINGO
Play Bingo to reinforce positive habits. Conclude by reiterating: "Your health is your superpower!" Remind students to talk to a trusted adult if they have concerns.
Smart Choices Slide Deck Say YES to
Healthy Choices!
Building Your Superpower
HEALTH HERO ACADEMY
Teacher Notes: Greet students warmly. Introduce the idea of making choices for a healthy body and mind. Ask students to share what 'being healthy' means to them. Encourage a few responses.
What Are Healthy Choices?
Choices that make your body and mind STRONG!
Eating good foods
Playing and exercising
Getting enough sleep
Learning new things
Teacher Notes: Transition to explaining positive choices. Emphasize that healthy choices make us strong, happy, and able to do the things we love. Give examples like eating veggies, exercising, sleeping well.
What Are Unhealthy Choices?
The Truth About Substances
Some medicines are only for grown-ups and only when prescribed by a doctor.
Alcohol or tobacco are only for adults and can be very bad for kids.
Drugs are substances that can make you sick or hurt your body and brain.
Teacher Notes: Introduce the topic of unhealthy substances gently. Explain that some things, like certain medicines or substances adults use responsibly (alcohol, tobacco), are not for kids. Drugs are substances that change how your body or mind works, and they can be harmful, especially for growing bodies. Keep it simple and focus on 'not for kids.'
Why Say NO to Unhealthy Choices?
Your body and brain are amazing!
They help you learn, play, and grow.
Reach your dreams by being your best!
YOU HAVE THE POWER!
Teacher Notes: Explain why saying no is important. Connect it back to their personal goals of being strong and healthy. Emphasize that they have the power to protect themselves.
How to Say NO!
1
"No, thank you."
Polite and clear
2
"No, I don't want to."
Firm and strong
3
"My parents wouldn't like that."
Adult Support
4
"Let's do something else!"
Change the subject
Always tell a trusted adult if something feels unsafe!
Teacher Notes: Teach simple, direct refusal skills. Model a few phrases. Practice with the class using a fun, non-threatening example (e.g., 'Do you want to eat this mud pie?').
Healthy Habits Worksheet My Healthy Habits
Checklist
Hero Name:
Date:
1
Healthy You!
Draw a picture of yourself doing something healthy. It could be playing outside, eating a healthy snack, or reading a book!
2
Sorting Choices
Read each choice below. Write if it is a Healthy Choice or an Unhealthy Choice.
Eating an apple
Playing video games all day
Drinking water
Taking medicine that isn't yours
Running and playing outside
3
What Would You Say?
Imagine a friend wants you to try something you know is unhealthy (like a grown-up drink or a strange pill). What would you say to them? Write your answer below.
Remember, your body is amazing, and you have the power to protect it!
Say YES to healthy choices!
Refusal Role Play Activity Practice Saying NO!
Refusal Role-Play Scenarios
Training Instructions
Work with a partner or in a small group.
Read the scenario card together.
Assign roles: One "Offer-er" and one "Healthy Hero."
Practice saying "NO!" in a clear and strong voice.
Try different ways to say no (polite, firm, or change the subject).
Switch roles and try another scenario!
SCENARIO 1
The "Candy" Pill
"Someone you know offers you a colorful pill they found. They say, 'It looks like candy! Do you want to try it?'"
Polite No Firm No
SCENARIO 2
The "Strange" Soda
"An older kid asks you to take a sip of a drink that looks like soda but smells strange. They say, 'Just a little bit, it's really good!'"
Change Subject Adult Support
SCENARIO 3
The "Cool" Kid
"A friend wants you to try a cigarette because they saw someone else do it. They say, 'It's cool, everyone's doing it!'"
Firm Voice Walk Away
It's always okay to say NO to something that feels wrong, and ALWAYS tell a trusted adult!
Healthy Choices Bingo Game Bingo Training Guide
Teacher Reference
Instructions
Distribute one Bingo Card and markers to each student.
Explain the Goal: Cover 5 choices in a row (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal).
When a student gets Bingo, they shout "HEALTH HERO!"
Have them read back the healthy habits to verify.
Calling List
• Eat a fruit
• Drink water
• Play outside
• 8 hours sleep
• Read a book
• Help a friend
• Wash hands
• Brush teeth
• Talk feelings
• Eat veggies
• Run and jump
• Learn new things
• Family time
• Be kind
• Draw a picture
• Listen to music
• Clean room
• Say please/thanks
• Deep breath
• Eat breakfast
Healthy Choices Bingo
Power up your habits!
H E R O ! Drink Water Eat a Fruit Play Outside 8 Hours Sleep Read a Book Help a Friend Wash Hands Brush Teeth Talk Feelings Eat Veggies Run and Jump Learn New Things Free Space
| Family Time | Be Kind |
| Draw a Picture | Listen to Music | Clean Room | Say Thank You | Deep Breath |
| Eat Breakfast | Recycle | Drink Milk | Laugh Often | Stay Active |
Name: ________________________
Health Hero Certified
Healthy Choices Review Warm-Up Session 2
Healthy Choices Warm-Up
Review & Power Up
Hero Name:
Date:
1
What is one healthy choice you made yesterday?
2
Why is it important to keep your body and mind healthy?
Hint: Think about what it helps you do at school or at play!
3
Imagine someone offers you something that feels unhealthy. What is one way you can say NO?
Draw a star next to the answer that makes you feel most confident about making healthy choices! 
