Health Explorers Slides 3rd Grade Health Discovery Lesson 1 • 30 Minutes
What Does Health Really Mean?
Discovering how your Body, Mind, and Friendships work together as a team!
Physical Health
Your strong body
Mental Health
Your thoughts & feelings
Social Health
Your friends & family
Think & Share Total Health Explorers
Is Being Healthy Just "Not Sick"?
Take 20 seconds: What words pop into your head when you hear the word HEALTH?
Old Idea
"Health only means taking medicine or visiting the nurse when you catch a cold."
New Explorer Idea
"Health is caring for your whole self so you can play, learn, feel joyful, and grow!"
💡 Real health has 3 parts that connect like a puzzle!
Part 1 of 3
Health Triangle
Physical Health: Your Body
How your muscles, bones, heart, and organs stay energized and strong!
Moving Daily
Running, sports, dancing, and recess games
Nourishing Food
Fruits, veggies, proteins, and colorful meals
Rest & Sleep
9 to 11 hours of quiet sleep each night
Clean & Hydrated
Drinking fresh water and washing hands
Explorer Tip: When your body feels fueled and rested, your brain is ready to learn!
Part 2 of 3
Health Triangle
Mental Health: Your Mind & Feelings
How you handle emotions, solve problems, and treat yourself kindly!
Feeling All Emotions
It is completely normal to feel happy, sad, angry, or scared. Healthy kids talk about them!
Calming Strategies
Taking belly breaths, drawing, counting to 10, or reading when things feel overwhelming.
Positive Self-Talk
Reminding yourself: "I can try again," "Mistakes help me learn," and "I am capable!"
Explorer Tip: Your brain needs care just like your muscles need stretching!
Part 3 of 3
Health Triangle
Social Health: Friends & Family
How you connect, communicate, cooperate, and care for people around you!
Listening & Sharing
Taking turns talking, looking at others kindly, and sharing games during recess.
Asking for Help
Turning to a trusted adult, teacher, or friend when you have a problem you cannot solve alone.
Kindness & Inclusion
Inviting someone who sits alone to join your group and using words that build others up.
Explorer Tip: Good friends help each other stay healthy, happy, and safe!
Class Challenge
Health Detective Game
Which Side of Health Are They Caring For?
Call out: Physical, Mental, or Social!
Case #1
"Leo goes to bed at 8:30 PM so his muscles and brain get a full 10 hours of rest."
Physical Health!
Case #2
"Sasha notices she feels nervous before a test, so she closes her eyes and takes 5 deep breaths."
Mental Health!
Case #3
"Marcus invites a new classmate to sit with his friends during lunch and shares his crayons."
Social Health!
Super Detective Question: Can one habit help more than one side? (Hint: Playing tag with friends!)
Your Explorer Mission
Healthy Habits Map
Time to Map Your Everyday Habits!
Grab your pencil and activity sheet. You will sort healthy habits and design your personal daily health routine!
1
Sort the Cards
Match each action to Body, Mind, or Friends.
2
Map Your Day
Draw or write 1 habit you do for each of the 3 sides.
3
Make Your Pledge
Pick one new healthy habit to try out this week!
🌟 Remember: Small choices every single day make a huge difference!
Healthy Habits Map Worksheet Total Health Explorers
Student Activity Sheet • Part 1
Name:
Date:
(P) Physical Health
Moving, food, water, and sleep
(M) Mental Health
Feelings, thoughts, and calming down
(S) Social Health
Friends, family, and kindness
Activity 1: The Great Health Sort
Read each everyday habit below. Decide which side of health it supports best. Write P for Physical, M for Mental, or S for Social in the blank circle!
#1
Riding your bicycle or scooter around the neighborhood with a helmet on.
Write P, M, or S
#2
Taking three slow belly breaths when you feel frustrated with math work.
Write P, M, or S
#3
Inviting a student sitting all by themselves to join your lunch table.
Write P, M, or S
#4
Brushing your teeth for two full minutes in the morning and before bed.
Write P, M, or S
#5
Telling yourself: "I am not good at this YET, but I can practice and learn!"
Write P, M, or S
#6
Apologizing honestly to a classmate after accidentally bumping into them.
Write P, M, or S
#7
Drinking a refreshing cup of water instead of a sugary soda with dinner.
Write P, M, or S
#8
Drawing or coloring in a sketchbook to unwind quietly after a busy day.
Write P, M, or S
#9
Cheering on your classmates during gym class when they run the relay race.
Write P, M, or S
Health Detective Bonus Question:
Can playing a soccer match at recess help all three sides of health at the same time? Explain how!
Total Health Explorers • Grade 3 Health Turn page for your Healthy Habits Map → Page 1 of 2
My Healthy Habits Map
Student Activity Sheet • Part 2
Daily Health Plan
In each section below, illustrate or describe one specific habit you do (or want to do) to keep that side of your health strong!
1
My Physical Health Habit (My Body)
e.g., sports, sleep, food, water
Draw your habit here
What I do to care for my body:
2
My Mental Health Habit (My Mind & Feelings)
e.g., calm breathing, reading, self-talk
Health Explorers Teacher Guide Teacher Facilitation Plan • 30 Minutes
Total Health Explorers: What Health Means
Grade Level: 3rd Grade • Focus: Physical, Mental, & Social Well-Being
Standards Alignment
NHES 1 (Health Concepts)
NHES 7 (Health-Promoting Behaviors)
Learning Objectives
Define health as a balance of three interconnected areas: body (physical) , mind (mental) , and relationships (social) .
Accurately categorize at least 8 of 9 daily actions into physical, mental, or social health.
Create a personal "Healthy Habits Map" identifying one real habit for each dimension and making a 7-day commitment pledge.
Materials Needed
• Health Explorers Slide Deck
• Healthy Habits Map Worksheet (1 per student)
• Pencils and coloring supplies
• Chart paper or whiteboard for brainstorming
30-Minute Instructional Flow (Part 1)
00:00 – 05:00 (5 Mins) Hook & Reframing Health
Teacher Hook: Project Slide 2 ("Is Being Healthy Just Not Sick?" ). Ask students: "When you hear the word 'health', what do you think of?" Collect 3–4 quick student responses (expect "apples", "doctor", "medicine", "exercise").
Teacher Script: "Most people think health is just what happens when we're sick. But health is actually what we do every single day to feel great, think clearly, and care for each other! Today, you're becoming Health Explorers to investigate the 3 sides of whole-person health."
05:00 – 14:00 (9 Mins) Direct Instruction: The Health Triangle
Walk through Slides 3, 4, and 5. Introduce the 3 sides using gestures (pat body for physical, touch temples for mental, hand over heart/wave for social).
Physical (Slide 3):
Focus on rest, fuel (nutrition/hydration), movement, and hygiene.
Mental (Slide 4):
Normalize all feelings; practice one 5-second belly breath together.
Social (Slide 5):
Emphasize inclusion, sharing, taking turns, and asking for help.
14:00 – 16:00 (2 Mins) Formative Check: Health Detective Call-Out
Show Slide 6. Read the 3 mini-scenarios aloud. Have students show hands or call out together whether Leo, Sasha, and Marcus are nurturing Physical, Mental, or Social health. Connect the detective question: "Can one action help all 3 sides?"
Total Health Explorers • Teacher Facilitation Guide See page 2 for Activity Pacing & Scaffolding → Page 1 of 2
Healthy Habits Answer Key Teacher Answer Key & Scoring Exemplar
Healthy Habits Map & Health Sort • Grade 3
Answer Key & Guide
Part 1: Health Sort Solutions (9 Items)
P = Physical • M = Mental • S = Social
Item #1 P - Physical
Riding bike or scooter
Strengthens muscles and heart
Item #2 M - Mental
Deep belly breaths when upset
Calms nervous system and brain
Item #3 S - Social
Inviting lonely student to lunch
Builds connection and inclusion
Item #4 P - Physical
Brushing teeth for 2 minutes
Maintains hygiene and oral health
Item #5 M - Mental
Growth mindset self-talk
Builds resilience and self-worth
Item #6 S - Social
Apologizing honestly after bump
Repairs friendship and trust
Item #7 P - Physical
Water instead of sugary soda
Nourishes and hydrates body
Item #8 M - Mental
Drawing/coloring to unwind
Processes emotions and lowers stress
Item #9 S - Social
Cheering classmates in gym
Encourages positive community
Detective Question Model Answer:
Exemplar Student Response: "Yes! Soccer helps Physical health because running exercises our heart and legs. It helps Mental health because playing outside relieves stress and makes us happy. And it helps Social health because we cooperate with teammates and encourage each other!"
Part 2: Sample Student Exemplar (Habits Map & Pledge)
Physical Habit Exemplar:
"I drink one full water bottle at school and sleep by 9:00 PM every night." (Drawing shows a water bottle and bed with moon).
Mental Habit Exemplar:
"When I feel angry at recess, I sit on the buddy bench and take 4 deep belly breaths." (Drawing shows lungs or smiley face breathing).
Social Habit Exemplar:
"I ask someone sitting alone if they want to play four-square with me." (Drawing shows two kids playing ball).
Quick Assessment Rubric (3 Points Total)
1 pt: Health Sort Accuracy Correctly categorizes at least 7/9 items as P, M, or S.
1 pt: Habit Map Completion Provides an illustration and realistic habit description for all 3 areas.
1 pt: 7-Day Pledge Identifies one concrete, achievable weekly habit and signs commitment.
