Students do experiments to learn how hydration and water affect their health.
Grades(s) K, 1, 2
Subjects(s) Health & Nutrition, Math, Physical Education
Objective
Give each child an index card and have them write or draw their favorite beverage on the card. Collect the cards and read them to the class without identifying the students. Make a bar graph demonstrating the results.
Discuss the nutritional value of all of the chosen beverages with the class. Talk about hydration and explain to the students that since our bodies are mostly made of water, we function best when we drink plenty of water.
Using a stick of celery and red food dye, show the students how a thirsty plant takes in food. Add the red dye to a clear plastic glass, and place the celery in the glass. Students can see the water working its way through the veins of the celery.
Divide the students into pairs and give them two containers, two sponges, and ten pinto beans. Leave one sponge dry and place five beans on it. Dip the other sponge in water, and place five beans on it. Have students predict what will happen.
Discuss perspiration with the students. Have them run in place by their desks, and serve ice water after the activity. Lead a discussion about the difference between water, soft drinks, and sport drinks.
Materials
Class set of small sponges, seeds, plastic butter containers, bar graph on a chart, index cards, celery, red food dye
Lesson
Give each child an index card and have them write or draw their favorite beverage on the card. Collect the cards and read them to the class without identifying the students. Make a bar graph demonstrating the results.
Discuss the nutritional value of all of the chosen beverages with the class. Talk about hydration and explain to the students that since our bodies are mostly made of water, we function best when we drink plenty of water.
Using a stick of celery and red food dye, show the students how a thirsty plant takes in food. Add the red dye to a clear plastic glass, and place the celery in the glass. Students can see the water working its way through the veins of the celery.
Divide the students into pairs and give them two containers, two sponges, and ten pinto beans. Leave one sponge dry and place five beans on it. Dip the other sponge in water, and place five beans on it. Have students predict what will happen.
Discuss perspiration with the students. Have them run in place by their desks, and serve ice water after the activity. Lead a discussion about the difference between water, soft drinks, and sport drinks. Identify the nutrition and health aspects of hydration for this lesson plan.
Assessment
Students draw a picture showing their understanding of hydration. Fold the paper in half. One half shows how things look without water, and the other side shows things that are hydrated and getting plenty of water. Examples might be flowers, trees, grass, etc.