Cora the Health Detective: Investigating Adolescent Non-Communicable Diseases

Missouri Learning Standard Focus (6th Grade Adapted): The student will locate, select, and organize information about Non-communicable diseases that may impact adolescents such as diabetes, asthma, joint diseases, cancer, and mental disorders.

Time Allotment: 40 minutes

Materials Needed:

• Large sheet of paper or mini-poster board
• Markers, colored pencils, or crayons
• Access to pre-selected, child-safe internet resources (e.g., KidsHealth.org sections on asthma, diabetes; simplified fact sheets on juvenile arthritis, common adolescent cancers, anxiety/depression. Alternatively, short, curated printouts.)
• A 'Detective Notebook' (plain notebook or a few sheets of paper) and a pencil/pen
• Optional: Printable 'Detective Badge' for fun

Lesson Activities:

1. Your Mission, Detective Cora! (5 minutes)

Welcome, Detective Cora! Today, you have a very important mission. There are some health mysteries that affect older kids and teens, but they aren't like colds you catch from someone. These are called 'non-communicable diseases' – that's a fancy way of saying you can't 'catch' them from another person. Your mission is to investigate a few of these conditions, find out what they are, how they might affect someone your age or a bit older, and what can be done to help manage them. Are you ready to crack the case?

Learning Goal Check-in: We want to be able to name a couple of these diseases, find out some key facts, and create a cool report on one of them!

2. Investigation Time: Gathering Clues (20 minutes)

Okay, Detective! Here are your 'Case Files' – we're going to look into a few non-communicable diseases that can affect young people. Let's choose 2 or 3 from this list to investigate: Diabetes, Asthma, Juvenile Arthritis, a type of Cancer common in teens (like Leukemia), or a Mental Health condition (like Anxiety).

Using the special resources provided (child-safe websites or printouts), search for clues in your 'Detective Notebook.' For each disease you choose to investigate, try to find out:

• What is it? (In your own words, what's a simple way to describe it?)
• How might it impact a teen's life? (Think about school, hobbies, feelings, daily routines.)
• What's one important tip? (This could be about managing the condition, or sometimes, how to help prevent certain types or reduce risks.)

Teacher Note: Guide Cora in her research, helping her find relevant information and simplify complex terms. Emphasize that many people with these conditions live full and active lives with proper care and support.

3. Create Your Detective Report (10 minutes)

Great work, Detective! Now it's time to compile your findings. Choose ONE of the diseases you investigated. You're going to create a 'Detective Report' on your large paper or mini-poster board. Your report should be clear and creative! Make sure to include:

• The Name of the Disease (make it stand out!).
• A simple Drawing or Symbol that represents the disease or helps explain it.
• One Key Fact about what it is.
• One way it might affect an adolescent.
• One helpful tip for managing the condition or promoting health.

Use your markers and colors to make your report easy to read and engaging!

4. Present Your Findings & Case Closed! (5 minutes)

Excellent detective work, Cora! Now, present your 'Detective Report' to me. Tell me about the disease you chose and what you discovered.

Discussion & Wrap-up:

• What was the most interesting or surprising clue you uncovered today?
• Why do you think it's helpful to know about these health conditions, even if we don't have them?
• Remember, scientists and doctors are always learning more and finding new ways to help people with these conditions live healthy lives!

Mission Accomplished, Detective Cora! You did a fantastic job locating, selecting, and organizing important health information.