Course Background and Description
The course will emphasize wellness and a positive life style. In addition, studies will include units on personal identity, personality types, human sexuality, relationships and family roles, harmful drugs, medicinal drugs, nutrition, and sexually transmitted diseases (STD's). As students comprehend each unit, they will be better equipped to care for their bodies and their relationships with others.

Class Materials

• Textbook - Pruitt, B.E., et al. Health: Skills for Wellness, Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2001
• Book cover, paper or cloth only
• Notebook - used to log all vocabulary words and section summaries
• Blue or Black ink pens

Evaluation
Students will be evaluated on the following through a direct point-scoring system:

• Homework - book work, worksheets, outlines, notebook completion, etc.
• Quizzes - daily reading quizzes, in-class essays
• Presentation - students will have one opportunity to teach their classmates a given section from their textbook
• Tests - one per chapter
• Midterm - after approximately 9 weeks, work roughly 2 tests
• Final - heavier focus on material covered after the midterm, worth roughly 20% of the student's final grade

Classroom Rules
Refer mostly to the PLHS student handbook, 2008. General rules such as being seated before the bell, raising a hand for permission to speak, and refraining from social chatter all apply. Rules specific to the teacher will be explicitly stated (and repeated when necessary) in class. Respect and courtesy to both the teacher and fellow students will be enforced to ensure a classroom environment that is cohesive to learning.

Tardies and Absences
Unexcused tardies and absences will be treated equally in regards to their negative affect on a student’s grade. Two unexcused tardies or absences per quarter will be forgiven; however, every instance thereafter will drop the student’s quarter grade by 1%.

Extra Credit
These opportunities vary each year and are scattered throughout the course. Each opportunity will come with clear instructions and ample time for completion. Students are encouraged to take advantage of extra credit.