Lesson Plan
Carbohydrates Lesson Plan (4th - 6th grade)
Estimated Time: 55 minutes
Purpose of the Lesson
To introduce students to types of Carbohydrates, role of carbohydrates, and sources of Carbs in common foods.
Lesson Objectives
As a result of this lesson, students will be able to:
Explain the difference between Simple and Complex Carbohydrates.
Identify which Carbohydrates are more healthful.
Log in personal data to correlate topics to their own diets.
Suggested CDE Standards
Grade 4:
4.7.3.N Identify ways to establish and maintain healthy eating practices consistent with current research-based guidelines for a nutritionally balanced diet.
Grade 5:
5.1.8.N Describe the benefits of eating a nutritionally balanced diet consistent with current research-based dietary guidelines.
5.6.1.N Monitor personal progress toward a nutritional goal.
Grade 6:
WHST.6-8.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
Lesson Activity
Time 0-10 min:
Give Background Information
Show CWC minute video Link: https://youtu.be/uQ6wOjAdsCg
Ask students to recap key points of the video. Did any facts surprise them? What carbohydrate food is their favorite? Which do they want to incorporate more in their diet?
Time 10-20 min:
Student Worksheets
Pass out Simple or Complex worksheet
Students work independently to fill in carbohydrate foods
Students have to classify their foods as either simple or complex
Only allow students to fill in “Simple or Complex” side of the worksheet
Time 20-35 min:
Class Discussion
Ask students to count how many simple carbohydrates/complex carbohydrates they ate
Organize students into small groups to share their results with peers
Ask students to note which foods do they have in common? Which foods did only a few students consume?
Have students write out results on the classroom whiteboard in following categories (one student from each group with average data):
Number or Simple Carbs
Number of Complex Carbs
Common carb foods
Unique carb foods
Time 35-50 min:
“Carbohydrates in our Diets” side of Worksheet
Students complete the short answer, short essay, and Venn Diagram independently
Time 50-55 min:
Closing - Carbohydrate Food Consumption
Amongst the existing groups, pass out the whole wheat food prepared by the Food Service Manager
In their groups, Have students discuss the following questions:.
What food is it?
What main ingredient from the video is in this food (wheat)?
Is this whole wheat? How do they know (darker color reveals that bran was left on)?
How do they think it will taste?
Have students try the whole wheat food.
How does it taste?
Do they feel it's healthful?
Will it give them quick energy or be more sustainable?
Was the food filled with simple or complex carbohydrates?
Adaptations
Have a student write the whiteboard portion for each of the four categories (one student per category)
Students can search online to confirm that their food is classified as either a simple or complex Carbohydrates
Assessment
What are simple and complex carbs?
Is white flour simple or complex? What about whole wheat?
Has the student ever had a whole wheat bread or whole wheat tortillas or pasta?
*Which parts of the kernel are simple and which are complex?
*Connect with your school’s Food Service manager. Ensure students have had whole wheat conchas or pasta before the Lesson. The students can identify our partnering schools’ foods as the complex fiber foods.
Printable Version:
