05TheTimeFrameEstimates

The time estimates included here are based on the actual outcomes of the resource field test in the winter and spring of the 2005-2006 school year. The complete unit is intended to be delivered in five to six hours of instructional time or a maximum of eight 45-minute classes. Not every teacher will have Healthy Living classes that run for 45 minutes, and the delivery of the activities will have to be adapted based on the length of class time available.

It is strongly recommended that none of the learning themes be dropped in an effort to shorten the time required to deliver the unit.
Instead, suggestions for shortening individual activities include the following:


  • Reduce the number of case studies or stories used for group activities.
  • Reduce the number of groups and increase the group sizes. If increasing the size of small groups is not an option, assign the same story to more than one group, ask one group to report back on the story and, once they finish their report, ask the other groups with the same story if they have anything to add.
  • Place strict time limits on brainstorming activities (five minutes, for example) rather than try to get every last idea or comment.
  • Place case studies on slides and discuss them with the entire class.