LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Identify the negative effects of excess sugar consumption; describe healthy ways to satisfy sugar cravings.

HEALTH ED STANDARDS

NHES 1: Identify concepts that promote health and prevent disease.

CASEL: Self-management; responsible decision-making

KEY VOCAB

lethargic

bacteria

inflammation

Lesson Plan: Your Body on Sugar

Identify the negative effects of excess sugar consumption; describe healthy ways to satisfy sugar cravings.

Table of Contents:

1. Preparing to Read

2. Reading and Discussing

3. Building Comprehension and Vocabulary

4. Expanding SEL Opportunities

1. Preparing to Read

Before you read the article “Your Body On. . . Sugar,” ask your students the following pre-reading question:

What are the physical and emotional effects of eating too much sugar?

2. Reading and Discussing

  • Have your students read the article “Your Body On… Sugar” independently; read the article out loud to them; or have students partner-read the article out loud.
  • After they’ve read the article, revisit the pre-reading question. Have their answers changed?
  • Next, have your students answer the Close-Reading and Critical-Thinking questions, either working in small groups or independently.


Close-Reading Questions
The following questions can be shared in printable or interactive form from the Resources tab. 

  1. Why can it be so hard to stop eating candy once you start? Explain using information from the article.
  2. What is a sugar crash and how can you avoid one?


Critical-Thinking Questions

  1. Were you surprised by any of the common food items from the article that contain added sugars? Explain.
  2. Why do you think food manufacturers add unnecessary sugar to so many packaged foods?

3. Building Comprehension and Vocab

Check students’ comprehension of and engagement with the story with the following assessment tools:

  • Quiz

  • Vocab Builder

4. Expanding SEL Opportunities

Continue the learning journey with the following extension activity:

It’s time for a SUGAR SCAVENGER HUNT! In this health-inspired twist on a scavenger hunt, students will investigate the sugar content of some of their favorite foods, either online or at the supermarket. First, have students create a list of their favorite packaged foods. Then, have them list alternative names for sugar that they learned while reading the “Can You Spot the Sugar?” quiz from the article. Which of their favorites have sugar listed as one of the first ingredients? Have them share any surprising results with the class.

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