Mary+Schwartz

Preventing Obesity in Youth **A unit plan intended for 11th and 12th grade inner city students in either a Nutrition or English class. **  **Description: **As we speak, our country’s obesity problem becomes more of an issue each and every day. Right now, about one-third of the children and teens in the U.S. are overweight, and almost twenty percent are obese. Throughout this unit, students will learn about factors that influence obesity, how they can live their lives in order to avoid becoming overweight and obese, and they will also influence their communities for the better in order to promote the good health of others.

**Objectives: ** Students will become aware of growing obesity issue and explore reasons why the problem is occurring. Students will analyze their own food journals to determine how they can improve their diets and lifestyle for better health. Students will learn how weight problems can be managed and prevented. Students will analyze ways in which their community can improve the problem. Students will design a playground for their neighborhood and propose it at a city hall meeting. Students will develop a sense of empathy for those with weight issues. **Overview:** Throughout this month-long unit plan, students will engage in a variety of activities that will deepen their understanding of their own connection and their community's connection to the obesity issue. Some major activities will include advocating for change in the community that will help prevent obesity, keeping a food journal in order to get a handle on food intake and habits, and completing a multigenre project about obesity.

**Writing Activities: **The first major writing activity in the unit will be an analysis of how the community might be affecting the issue. Students will be expected to make their own observations and share their findings with other students. The students will then "take action" and pick the most pressing issue (as they designate it) to bring to the attention of the community and officials. For the purpose of this webpage, we will assume that the students decide to advocate for a new playground to be built in their community.

Another major activity is the keeping of a food journal. Students will be expected to write down everything they eat and drink on a daily basis, how they felt while they ate, and where they ate their meal. Students will be expected to keep track of calories consumed, and will learn to calculate their own energy requirements in order to determine if their intake is healthy.

Finally, students will create a multigenre project consisting of at least ten different writing genres that will chronicle what they have learned about childhood obesity. Students will present their projects in class during the final week of the unit. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Throughout the unit, students will be engaging in a multitude of freewriting and writing prompt activities based on readings, film clips, and brainstorming. **<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">How will this unit exceed standards and challenge students to think? ** <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The obesity issue will be examined from a variety of mediums. Students will read Eric Schlosser's __Fast Food Nation__, which is informative and slightly academic in nature. It will likely push the students to comprehend a different style of text than they are used to. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Students will also engage in various forms of writing which will challenge their preexisting skills and force them to try something new. In this unit alone, students will have to write a persuasive piece, keep a food journal, and try out ten different genres in the final project. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Therefore, most of the activities will be very fun for students, even though they are actually making a huge change in the community and challenge their thinking. **<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Common Core Standards Met Throughout the Unit ** <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">1. Analyze how two or more authors address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">2. Read and comprehend complex and literary informational texts independently and proficiently. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">3. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">4. Write routinely over extended time frames (times for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a short sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">5. Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 11-12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">**Daily Activities** <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">**Week One** <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Monday <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> 1) Students will freewrite about obesity issue. Afterward, share findings in a class discussion.  <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">2) Introduction to unit activities and food journals. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">3) View approximately 20 minutes of Part 3 of "Weight of the Nation" series "Children in Crisis". Have students fill out the provided worksheet as they view the film. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">

<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">[|Weight of the Nation Part 3: Children in Crisis] <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">4) Introduction to Eric Schlosser's book. Have students freewrite for ten minutes about fast food in our country. Share findings. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Homework: Read the Introduction and Chapter One of __Fast Food Nation__ by Thursday's class.  <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">By tomorrow's class, make three observations about how this community might affect obesity of its residents.   <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tuesday  <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">1) 15 minute lesson on history of obesity issue  <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Here is a link to the Prezi that will be used:  <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">[|Prezi on History of Obesity Epidemic] <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">2)Discussion about factors in community which might make the obesity issue better or worse. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">3) Separation into groups and introduction of playground design project. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Wednesday <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">1) 15 minute lesson on biological explanation for obesity. Use the following link to guide facts that are shared: [|What is Obesity?]  <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">2) View 20 minutes of Part 3 of WOTN, and have kids fill out the worksheet provided.

<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">3) Meet in groups to work on playground project and come up with proposals.  <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Thursday  <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">1) Discussion of first two chapters of __Fast Food Nation__. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">2) Quick quiz on readings to make sure students have read. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">3) Check food journals for completion. Short discussion on how food journals have been going. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">4) Lead students to calculate their own Basal Metabolic Rate and Estimated Energy Requirement in order to see if they are consuming a similar amount of calories in their food journals. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Here is a link explaining how to help your students calculate their requirements:  <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">[|BMR Calculator and Explanation]  <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Homework: Read next two chapters of book by Tuesday.   <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Friday  <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">1) Meet in groups to plan playground project. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">2) View final 20 minutes of WOTN Part 3, and have kids fill out the worksheet.  <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Homework: Each student will submit their two-page playground proposal by Monday.   <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">**Week Two**  <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Monday  <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">1) Introduction to multigenre project. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">[|Here is a link where you can learn more about multigenre projects and how to do them with your students.]

<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">2) 10 minute multigenre freewrite. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">3) Discuss procedures for Wednesday night's city hall meeting. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Tuesday <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">1) Discussion about next few chapters of Eric Schlosser's book.  <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">2) Short quiz on homework reading. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">3) 10 minute multigenre freewrite. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">4) Discussion about schools' role in preventing obesity and helping kids lead healthy lives. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Homework: Read next two chapters of the book by Friday, and prepare for tomorrow's city hall meeting. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Wednesday <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">1)Introduce the idea of a Socratic Circle, which students will engage in on Monday. The Socratic Circle discussion will be based on an article that is read, which will be assigned for homework.  <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">[|Here is How to Conduct a Socratic Circle Discussion]  <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">2) 20 minute multigenre freewrite. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">3) Remind students what to do and how to conduct themselves at the meeting tonight. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Homework: Read Socratic Circle article and be prepared to be a participant and have questions! Here is the article: [|Is Obesity a Disease? You Decide.]   <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Thursday  <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">1) Food journal check-in. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">2) Discussion of how food journals are going. Are students eating too much or too little? Where do they sit when they eat? Do they see areas in which they can improve? <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">3) 20 minute multigenre freewrite. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Friday <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">1) Discussion and quiz on readings.  <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">2)Have students write for 20 minutes about body image and the media. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Homework: Read the rest of the book by next Thursday. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">**Week Three** <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Monday <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;"> 1)Share findings from Friday's freewrite on body image and the media. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Watch this clip on body image, and share reactions:  media type="custom" key="23386926" <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">2) The remainder of the class period will be used to work on multigenre projects. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Tuesday <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Lab day to type up multigenre projects. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Wednesday <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">1)Thinking about yesterday's clip on body image, have students write a poem about things they like about themselves, and encourage them to share in a read-around.  <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">2) Food journal check. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Thursday <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">1) Final discussion and quiz on __Fast Food Nation.__   <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Friday  <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">1) Final lab day for multigenre projects (Presentations will begin Monday) <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">**Week Four** <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;"> This week will be used exclusively for students to share their multigenre projects in front of the class. In addition, food journals will be checked for the last time on Friday. It would also be a great week to host a Challenge Day. Challenge Day encourages teens to break down barriers and to see one another without judgement. Here is a clip that clarifies the idea: media type="custom" key="23386958" <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">**Resources** <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;"> HBO'S Weight of the Nation Series: weightofthenation.hbo.com <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">__Fast Food Nation__ by Eric Schlosser <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">Below is the YouTube series "The Skinny on Obesity". It debunks a lot of myths and confusion, and can be really helpful to explain the issue. <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5;">media type="youtube" key="h0zD1gj0pXk" width="560" height="315"

media type="youtube" key="mGL3iT5MMdQ" width="560" height="315" <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif;">Globesity, the video above, is a great documentary of how obesity is taking hold even in poor and developing countries across the world.

<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif;">Challenge Day- If you can, try to fit this in. It encourages bonding and acceptance for all students: challengeday.org <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif;">The link below is the Center for Disease Control's fact sheet on adolescent obesity. []