Activity Introduction
Quick summary: Have you ever looked at a food item and thought it was healthy only to discover it was packed with sugar and other foreign ingredients? Chances are that students have no idea how much sugar is in commercial drinks and packaged food and would probably opt for water or healthier options if they knew all the facts.
During this myth-busting lesson, students take part in a fun hands-on sugar match up game, organising and investigating the true amount of sugar that is hidden in drinks and food. The students create quiz questions to be asked in a sugar quiz, sharing their knowledge about the sugar in foods, and how it affects our minds and bodies. Get set for a fast-paced quiz, full of facts, in a race to learn more about sugar and your body.
Learning intentions:
- Students understand the effect of sugar on your body
- Students understand what natural sugar is and where it is found
- Students understand what added sugar is and where it is added.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Years 3 & 4 Health and Physical Education:
- Identify and practice strategies to promote health, safety and wellbeing (ACPPS036)
- Discuss and interpret health information and messages in the media and internet (ACPPS039)
Syllabus outcomes: PHS2.12, SLS2.13
General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, Numeracy
Relevant parts of Year 3 & 4 HPE achievement standards:
Students interpret health messages and discuss the influences on healthy and safe choices. They understand the benefits of being healthy and physically active. They describe the connections they have to their community and identify local resources to support their health, wellbeing, safety, and physical activity. Students apply strategies for working cooperatively and apply rules fairly. They use decision-making and problem-solving skills to select and demonstrate strategies that help them stay safe, healthy, and active.
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability
Topic: Health and Wellbeing
This lesson is part of the wider unit of work Sugar By Half.
Time required: 60 mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: High level – student direction, overseeing of food handling and support during the game show
Resources required:
- A device capable to conduct research and take photos, such as an iPad or camera
- A device capable of presenting the Healthy Kidneys Education Poster
- A device capable of displaying the Rethink Your Drink Poster
- Selection of different drink containers (ie. juice, milk, lemonade, water, sports drink, etc)
- Other materials to conduct experiments such as sugar, teaspoons, bowl, poster paper, marker pens, ziplock bags, tape, coloured paper (sticky notes).
Keywords: sugar, added sugar, natural sugars, fructose, glucose
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
