Suggested HWB Experiences & Outcomes
- I am developing my understanding of the human body and can use this knowledge to maintain and improve my wellbeing and health. HWB 2-15a
- I can explain the links between the energy I use while being physically active, the food I eat, and my health and wellbeing. HWB 2-28a
Suggested Learning Intentions
- To know that different foods provide different amounts of energy.
- To know that different activities use up different amounts of energy.
- To understand that we need to balance our energy intake (food) with our energy expenditure (activity) to maintain a healthy weight.
Suggested Success Criteria (I can...)
- Compare the amount of energy provided by different types of food. HWB 2-28a
- Investigate how I can help myself and others to achieve the correct energy balance of food intake and exercise. HWB 2-28a
- Explain some of the longer term effects of poor energy balance on health and wellbeing eg, weight gain. HWB 2-15a
Suggested Learning Experiences
The European Food Safety Authority has stated there is no evidence that food is a source of coronavirus (COVID-19) and it is very unlikely that it can be transmitted through the consumption of food. However, practical food activities including food sharing, tasting, preparation and cooking are probably going to be quite difficult to manage in a classroom setting during this initial period as children return to school. Fortunately there are still plenty of other relevant activities providing challenge and enjoyment for the children, including finding out about things they may have tried to cook at home.
- The aim of the following activities is to support children to understand the importance of eating the correct sorts of foods in the correct proportions as well as balancing this with adequate amounts of physical activity.
- Recap on prior learning from Early and First Level on why we need energy as well as reinforcing understanding of healthy and less healthy energy giving foods ie, energy from bread, cereals etc, rather than sugary snacks.
- Investigate the energy needs of different people. Ask children to write down the reasons why different people might need different amounts of energy. Prompts include: age, size, gender, and physical activity. They should understand that young children have a very high energy requirement in relation to their size and that in later years, we require fewer calories from food but the nutritional value is still important.
- Investigate the energy content in a range of foods by looking at a range of food labels (measured in kilojoules or kilocalories). Compile a chart of highest to lowest energy giving foods – discuss those foods and drinks that surprised them by the very high / low energy content. Sort and match foods from highest to lowest energy content and / or healthy and less healthy energy giving foods.
- Investigate the current daily energy recommendations for boys / girls; men / women in the U.K. In groups/pairs, consider reasons for differences in figures.
- Match the recommended daily calorie intake with pictures of a toddler, teenager, pregnant woman and an older person.
- Ask children to estimate how much one serving of food actually looks like (e.g. dry pasta) by pouring into a bowl, and compare to the actual serving size shown on the packaging by placing the two side by side- is there a difference?
- Collaborative Learning – in small groups consider the short and long-term effects of poor energy balance on health and wellbeing – this could be categorised into physical, mental and social effects.
- Evaluate the foods on offer in a fast food establishment and discuss how effectively they contribute to promoting a healthy diet.
- Invite a dietitian/health professional in to talk to children about the benefits of healthy eating and physical activity and how to achieve the correct balance of both.
Suggested Cross-Curricular Links
- MNU 2-21a – Create tables, graphs or charts to display information about energy in foods / energy used by different activities. Discuss how effective these methods are. http://www.foodafactoflife.org.uk – 8-11years – Energy Balance interactive activity is a useful resource to support teaching and learning about energy balance and the Eatwell plate..
- MNU 2-20b - Record a diary of own food intake and activity over a day – compare energy intake with energy expenditure. Evaluate how successful they have been at achieving an energy balance. Work with a partner to discuss how they could achieve an energy balance.
- SOC 2-15a – Research the health implications of poor diet and low levels of exercise in Scotland.
- Investigate possible reasons for people being over and underweight in other countries eg, USA; third world countries.
Suggested Word Bank
- Energy
- fuel
- active
- carbohydrates
- starch
- cereal
- potatoes
- bread
- rice
- pasta
- wheat
- Eatwell Guide
- healthy
- breakfast
- long-term effects
- exercise
- slow/fast release
- snacks
- energy balance
- input
- output
- exercise
- physical activity
- proportion
- calories
- kilocalories
- kilojoules
- recommendations
- consequences
Parent & Community Engagement
Pathways, Tracking & Monitoring
- Year Planner (Second Level)
- Pupil Learning Log and Benchmarks satf
- Annual Progression Planners ( Second Level)
- Active E/O Bundle with UNCRC links
- Personalised Year Planner (Second Level)
- Topic Specific Planners ( Second Level)
NHS Lanarkshire Library Resources
- What you should know about nutrition.
- Food choices: take your pick.
- Weigh your options
- Balancing act of food and fitness.
External Links
- Explains to primary children about food/energy balance
- This website explores how and why our body needs energy, with practical activities to help children understand the relationship between food and energy
- Students will learn how they use energy for all activities and the amount of energy used by many of their daily activities.