LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Identify a range of health benefits and risks associated with sodium consumption; understand how to stay healthy while enjoying salt; distinguish facts from myths about salt.

HEALTH ED STANDARDS

NHES 1: Comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention.

CASEL: Self-management, responsible decision making

KEY VOCAB

moderation

metabolism

Lesson Plan: Your Body on Salt

It’s an important mineral, but don’t overdo it.

PREPARING TO READ

Before you read the article “Your Body on Salt,” ask your students the following pre-reading question:

How does eating salt affect your body?

READING AND DISCUSSION

  • Have your students read the article “Your Body on Salt” 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?

BUILDING COMPREHENSION

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

  • Comprehension Quiz and Vocabulary Review

EXPANDING SEL OPPORTUNITIES

Continue the learning journey with the following extension activity:

In SODIUM SCAVENGER HUNT, have students list a few of their favorite packaged foods (or pick a few popular packaged foods they know about). Either online or at the supermarket, they should check the nutrition label of each food to see how much salt is in a serving. They should also note how big a serving size is and what percentage of the recommended daily value of sodium is in each serving. To complete the scavenger hunt, have them look for lower-salt alternatives for each food. Consider holding a whole-class discussion at the end for students to share any surprising or interesting takeaways.

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