Jada Bascom Foundation
4
20-25 minutes

Being a Health Advocate

Discover how kids can spread awareness about health and helping others, becoming advocates in their communities.

Learning Objective

Students will understand the concept of advocacy and identify ways they can spread awareness about health topics in their communities.

Materials

  • Paper and markers for poster activity
  • Chart paper for brainstorming

Lesson Content

Review: What We've Learned (3 min)

  • "Let's think back on everything we've learned in this unit."
  • Review: circulatory system, blood components, bone marrow, how people help
  • "You now know more about how your body works than many adults do!"

What Is an Advocate? (5 min)

  • "An advocate is someone who speaks up about something important."
  • "Advocates help spread awareness—they help other people learn about important topics."
  • "You don't have to be a grown-up to be an advocate. Kids can be powerful advocates too!"

Kids as Health Advocates (7-10 min)

  • "Can kids donate blood or bone marrow? No—that's for healthy adults."
  • "But can kids help in other ways? Absolutely!"
  • Brainstorm together (write on chart paper):
    • Talk to family members about what you learned
    • Ask questions and stay curious
    • Be kind to people who are sick
    • Thank community helpers like nurses and doctors
    • Share information when you're older
  • "Every time you share what you know, you're being an advocate!"

Closing (3 min)

  • "You are now health advocates! You understand how blood and bone marrow help our bodies."
  • "You know that communities help each other when someone is sick."
  • "And you know that just by sharing what you've learned, you're making a difference."

Activity: Create an Awareness Poster

Instructions:

  1. Work individually or in pairs to create a poster
  2. Include one fact you learned about blood, bone marrow, or helping
  3. Add a message about why community support matters
  4. Make it colorful and eye-catching!
  5. Share posters with the class and discuss

Optional: Display posters in the hallway to spread awareness to other students!

Advocate
Someone who speaks up for something important and helps spread the word to others.
Awareness
Knowing about something and helping others know about it too.
Community
A group of people who live near each other or share something in common.
Volunteer
Someone who chooses to help without being paid.

Reflection Questions

  • What was the most interesting thing you learned in this unit?
  • Who will you share your new knowledge with?
  • How does it feel to know you can be an advocate even as a kid?
  • What other health topics would you like to learn more about?

Optional Extension

Have students write a short letter to a family member explaining one thing they learned about the circulatory system or community health.

Congratulations, Health Advocates!

You've completed "How Our Bodies Help Each Other"! You learned about the circulatory system, blood cells, bone marrow, and how communities support each other. Keep sharing what you know!

Lesson 4: Being a Health Advocate | Grades 3-5 | Jada Bascom Foundation