Students will be able to think critically and define problems

and solutions in a creative manner.

This artifact is an analysis of the book NurtureShock, from a health
and pe methods course. I chose this artifact to represent my
understanding of critical thinking and creative problem solving because
of the different elements this paper includes. For this assignment I was
instructed to read the book NurtureShock and then write an analysis on
the content and how it might apply to my learning throughout the
course and how it related to the different health and pe standards that
we learned in the course.
Through writing this analysis I was not only able to apply the content to
my own life and ability to make decisions and solve problems, but I
was also able to realize how important it is for my future students to
have these capabilities as well. In this analysis I touched on how
teachers could be successful in going about teaching self-control and
healthy decision making by giving the children knowledge and freedom
to do so in a creative manner. We as teachers are not able to make our
students make the right decision but we are able to guide them and
inform them of the difference between right and wrong, healthy or
unhealthy and beneficial or not beneficial. This analysis includes a
health standard that states, Students will demonstrate the ability to
use decision making skills to enhance health. This standard can be
adapted in many different ways and incorporated into many different
subjects as well. If a student is faced with a problem, as their teacher, I
believe it is important for me to help them see all the possible ways of
solving the problem and make sure that they are aware that their own
creativity is vital in this decision.
Through completing this assignment I was able to learn a lot and make
important connections that I wouldnt have otherwise. This book gave
me many opportunities to think critically and as I completed the
analysis I was able to do so in a creative and successful manner. I
became aware of how beneficial it is for all people to be able to solve
problems in a way that is unique to them and also be faced with
problems/issues that provide them with the opportunity to do so. I
believe it is my job as a teacher to find the balance in challenging my
students. If I do not give them the opportunity to challenge themselves
and think critically in the way that reading this book and completing
the analysis challenged me, I will not be giving them opportunity to
grow. This will then be helpful to them in problem solving later on in life
because they will be able to reflect on how they faced a challenge and
solved the problem in a way that helped them to be successful in the
long run.
To facilitate improved instruction I would apply this assignment to other
aspects of learning such as reading and writing, or math. This is

something that can be taught in all areas of life, not just heath and pe,
and it would be beneficial to see how that would apply.

Morgan Lasota
Kim Harpham
ED 461
02/18/15
NurtureShock Analysis
Through reading NurtureShock I found that I was able to apply
many of the main concepts to the learning that took place in class this
term, and more specifically the health and pe standards.
The chapter that stood out to me most was Can Self-Control Be
Taught? I found this chapter related well with Health Standard 5 that
states, Students will demonstrate the ability to use decision making
skills to enhance health. In this particular section of the book it makes
a bold statement that drivers education classes really do not reduce
the amount of accidents that take place even though that is the intent.
So what is this actually accomplishing? To start decreasing the rate of
accidents the process of getting a license should depend on age, and
maturity level because the simple test down at the DMV does not
accurately depict a persons ability to handle the responsibility of
driving.

This chapter delves into answering the question Can self control
be taught? which is a vital question to answer while teaching as well. I
am planning on teaching 4th through 6th grade and I believe these are
extremely important ages when a child is learning how to make
healthy decision for their lives. I like that the health standard 5 makes
it a point to say that these children will learn the ability to make health
enhancing decision making skills because there is the underlying
question that we, as teachers, can not make our students make these
decisions we can only help them see what is beneficial to their health
and what is not.
In an excerpt from NurtureShock the author states that, In our
schools, kids are subjected to a vast number of well-meaning training
programs that sound absolutely great, but nevertheless fail the test of
scientific analysis. This is evident especially for things that are huge
issues in todays society such as drug abuse. These programs have
good intentions but in my opinion are not done with great intentionality
in the classroom. These programs preach at children and although
their point is made, their results are not as positive as they should be.
To be successful in trying to teach self-control, I believe
teachers need to understand that they are able to incorporate these
big ideas in other ways than just implementing a 10-step program into
their curriculum. If teachers incorporated games, or fun activities and
projects that relate to the subject and go along with all of the harsh

and real statistics I believe they would see more success in their
students. As students play these games and participate in these
projects it will also teach them the characteristics that are necessary in
making healthy decisions in their lives and will help them grow as a
person.
I believe it is also extremely important to remember the age
level you are working with and to be able to work some of the real life
issues that your students are dealing with into your curriculum. For
example, if your students are having a hard time making good
decisions including their peers it is important to recognize that as a
teacher and be able to create an environment where the children do
not have the opportunity to exclude their classmates. Although this is a
somewhat smaller issue than drugs or sex education, it is vital to
create a base for students to be able to make good, less impactful,
decision and work their way up. This way they have a deeper
understanding of healthy decision making skills and a something to
base those decision off of.
In conclusion, I found it very interesting to read this chapter of
NurtureShock and think about it in terms of the health standards. I
learned a lot and was able to make connections that I wouldnt have
otherwise. As I start my teaching career and participate in my own life,
I will continuously ask myself if I am trying to teach self control or
allowing my students to learn the ability to make healthy decisions?

Works Cited
Bronson, P O., and Ashley Merryman. NurtureShock. New York, NY:
Twelve, 2009.
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