Converting Nutrients to Calories
by Brad  Brinkley, brad.brinkley@cpsb.org

Content Area(s)
English/Language Arts
Math
PE
Science

Grade Level(s)
6, 7, 8, 

Overview
Students will use the Internet, PCs, and handhelds to research food items and learn how to convert nutrients to calories.

Software
Handheld using the calculator and the note pad.

Technology
PC and the Internet, common household food labels, food pyramid, and literature concerning daily calorie intake for healthy people.

Objectives
Students will research 3 popular fast food restaurant menus and convert nutrients found in the menu items to calories using the 4 basic math operations.

Students will use the handheld calculator to show their applications using the 4 basic operations to convert fat, carbohydrates, and protein to calories.

Students will record data found from the meals or menu items on notepad using handhelds.

Students will analyze the meals or menu items researched and discuss which meals or menu items are most healthy.

Procedures
Student Groups and Methods

Initial instruction will be whole group so that students can be shown the formula to convert nutrients to calories. After the bell ringer activity, students will be given a food label from a common food item and shown the formula to convert nutrients to calories. Whole group will discuss the health value of each food item. Then, students will be divided into groups and each group will be assigned a fast food restaurant to research.

Activities

Bell Ringer Activity: As soon as students are seated, have them respond to the following item in their journals or on the notepad from the handhelds:
What is your favorite fast food restaurant? Write down your favorite meal or menu items from this restaurant and how many times a week or month you eat there. Be prepared to share and discuss. (10-15 minutes)

Guided Practice: Students are given a food label and the following formula:
1 fat gram = 9 calories
1 gram of protein = 4 calories
1 gram of carbohydrates = 4 calories

They then convert the nutrients to calories to find the total calories of the food item and discuss their findings. You will have to give background on what the healthy intake of calories is based on a 2000-calorie day. (10-15 minutes)

Independent Practice: Students will work in groups to determine the healthy value of menu items from a fast food restaurant.
Each group will be assigned a fast food restaurant. They will go to the computer
and research menu items or meals from this restaurant. After the students have chosen the meal or menu items, they convert the nutrients to calories using the hand held calculator function and the formulas that was given earlier. Groups will record their data on the notepad and show their computations on the history function of the handheld calculator. Groups will then analyze their findings and determine the healthy value of the meal and be prepared to discuss and defend their findings to the whole group.


Assessment Tool: Teacher will assess groups and give feedback. Students will also assess each group other than their own and give feedback as well using the same rubric. I usually give the rubric to them before we start the group work. Students also may receive points for their individual journal or notepad postings.

Rubric to assess student performance:

Group _____________________________________

Assessor ___________________________________

Ratings- 4 being the best and 1 being poor

Presentation: Was it clear and easy to understand, did it make sense, and did the speaker speak loudly and clearly?

4 3 2 1

Accuracy: Were the statements correct? No false statements should be made. Were the applications correct and did they show and present their findings proving they were correct?

4 3 2 1

Participation: Is it evident that all group members shared the work, or does it seem some people were just observing? All members should contribute.

4 3 2 1

Analysis: Did the group accurately determine the healthy value of the meal and defend their position in a convincing manner?

4 3 2 1

Total Points ____________/16

Comments:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Other Supporting Material

Submitted on: 7/18/2005 9:17:45 AM