Lesson Plan - Sugar Shocker

Watch the Video
Play the video “Read the Label,” then discuss: Based on the video, what are some nutrients that we might want to limit? Which nutrients should we make sure we are getting enough of?

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• sustain
• moderation

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about how long they feel energized after eating breakfast.

1. What important nutrients are mentioned in the article? Why does your body need them?
Some important nutrients mentioned in the article are protein and fiber. The article explains that protein builds muscle and fiber helps with digestion.
^{R.2 Main Idea and Key Details}

2. How does the author support the idea that many breakfast cereals are loaded with too much added sugar?
The author supports the idea that many breakfast cereals are loaded with too much sugar by describing a study in which researchers looked at 1,200 cereals. They found that from 2010 to 2023, the amount of sugar in those cereals rose by 11 percent.
^{R.8 Reasons and Evidence}

3. What do you think nutrition expert Alicia Miller means when she says that “nothing needs to be off-limits”?
When nutrition expert Alicia Miller says that “nothing needs to be off-limits,” you can guess that she means that it is OK for kids to eat sugary cereals in moderation. For example, she suggests that kids try mixing a sweet cereal with a less sugary one.
^{R.1 Inference}

Featured Skill: Integrate Information
Use the skill builder “Plan a Breakfast” to have students think about energy needs and nutrients as they choose foods for the first meal of the day.
^{R.7 Integrating Information}