Misael+Castillo-Jimenez

Teen Obesity Grades 7-9 (According to the modifications)
 * Overview: **

Throughout the last twenty years teen obesity has tripled leading to what we know today as the obesity epidemic. Due to lack of physical activities, high calorie intake, and lack of knowledge on the topic, the numbers are quickly increasing. I created this unit plan to shine light on this ongoing problem, educate students on the difficulties teens are experiencing because of obesity, and learning how to live a healthy lifestyle.

Students will read the book //Fat Boy Swim// by Catherine Forde, keep a food and exercise journal, learn the proper calorie intake, and listen to advice from a nutritionist and physical trainer. Through writing, reading, and journals students will learn more about obesity and how to overcome the epidemic.

This unit is intended to push students beyond a typical lecture about obesity. The book will allow them to put themselves in Jimmy’s shoes and understand the struggles that an overweight teen faces. The writing assignments are intended to teach students to use different types of writing to help make the world a better place. The assignments go beyond the standards but are intended to use writing to promote a greater change in the world.


 * Learning Objectives: **


 * Students will learn about the obesity epidemic.
 * Students will learn the struggles teens with obesity face.
 * Students will be more sensitive to those who are struggling with obesity.
 * Students will learn the proper calorie intake for their height and body type.
 * Students will learn healthy habits that will decrease the obesity epidemic.
 * Students will learn how keeping a food and exercise journal can help them keep track of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Use their experience and their knowledge of language and logic, as well as culture, to think analytically, address problems creatively, and advocate persuasively.
 * Standards( Eight Grade): **

Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.

Create a presentation, artwork, or text in response to a literary work with a commentary that identifies connections and explains divergences from the original.

** Schedule Overview **

Students will be introduced to the topic of teen obesity by watching the video, // [|Teen obesity on the rise] //. They will then be asked to write a reflection about the obesity epidemic with teens, and write a list of their opinions and feeling about the topic at the bottom of their reflections. Students will be asked to keep this reflection and compare it to the final reflection they will write at the end of the unit. Students will then be introduced to the book //Fat Boy Swim,// and assigned to read chapters one through five. Students will then be divided into five groups and read different articles on obesity. Students will learn about the growing obesity epidemic.
 * Day one:**



Resources for //Fat Boy Swim//: [|Fay Boy Swim- Teacher Resource] [|Fat Boy Swim]

Articles: [] [] [] []


 * Day Two:**
 * The class will begin a discussion about chapters one through five. They will discuss what they have learned about the protagonist (Jimmy) and his struggles.
 * Students will answer questions about the book and highlight the passages that exposed Jimmy’s character, his feelings and exposed his likes and dislikes.
 * Students will then reflect on their likes and dislikes.
 * Lastly students will be introduced to the assignment of food and exercise journals for the next four weeks.
 * Homework: Read chapter 6-10 and answer discussion questions. Continue the food and exercise journal.


 * Day three:**
 * The class will begin by having students write Jimmy a letter, as if they were his friend. Students will be able to reflect on his situation, give him advice and “be there” for Jimmy.
 * We will then reflect on the letters that students wrote.
 * Students will discuss chapters 6-10 and the discussion questions.
 * Homework: read chapters 11-15 and answer the discussion questions. Continue the food and exercise journal.


 * Day four:**
 * This book has discussed the many difficulties and struggles that Jimmy has to face. To begin with the class students will now be asked to put themselves in Jimmy shoes and write down Jimmy’s feelings, and thoughts.
 * We will then begin a discussion about the struggles that overweight teens face.
 * Students will then discuss how they can be more aware and sensitive to the feelings of those who are struggling with their weight.
 * Homework: Read chapters 16-20 and answer the discussion questions. Continue the food and exercise journal.


 * Day five:**
 * The books has exposed the reality of many the excessive bullying that Jimmy has had to deal with. This lesson will deal with bullying and the effects of it.
 * Students will then reflect on bullying and their school, their generation, and how they feel towards it.
 * We will then have a mini-lesson on persuasive writing.
 * Homework: Students will then begin a persuasive letter to their generation persuading them to take a stand against bullying, making a better and safer world for all. Read chapters 21-26 and answer the discussion questions. Continue the food and exercise journal.
 * Conferences will be held day six and seven.

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 * Day six:**
 * Writing conferences day one. // (Rubrics for persuasive writing: []) //
 * As conferences are going on students will be working on their essays and peer editing.
 * Read chapters 27-32 and answer the discussion questions. Continue the food and exercise journal.


 * Day seven:**
 * Writing conferences day two.
 * As conferences are going on students will be working on their essays and peer editing.
 * Homework: Continue the food and exercise journal.


 * Day eight:**
 * Wrap up of the book //Fat Boy Swim.//
 * What did this book teach us?
 * How did this book change our perspective?
 * How is Jimmy similar a typical teenager?
 * Homework: Continue the food and exercise journal.


 * Day nine:**
 * Today will be the beginning of the “Healthy Eating for Teens” part of the unit plan.
 * The nutritionist will discuss healthy eating habits for teens, and how much time they should be exercising.
 * A nutritionist will be the guest speaker for the day, and give students resources that they can use to find out about healthy eating for teens.
 * The nutritionist will guide students through websites that will help them find out their calorie intake should be.


 * Day ten:**
 * As a class we will begin a research about healthy eating and non healthy eating.
 * With very little direction, students will be allowed to go on the computers, get books from the library,
 * Students will work in groups of four.
 * Teacher will be walking around helping the groups through their research.


 * Day eleven:**
 * Students will continue to work on their research on “Healthy Eating for Teens” and each group will create a poster, which they will present to the class.
 * Teacher will continue to help students on their presentations.
 * Each group will get five minutes to present their findings.
 * Homework: Continue the food and exercise journal. Students will also have to write a short essay on healthy eating.
 * Day twelve:**
 * Writing conferences.
 * As conferences are going on students will be working on their essays and peer editing.
 * Homework: Continue the food and exercise journal.


 * Day thirteen:**
 * A physical trainer will be the guest speaker for this class.
 * He will help students make appropriate workout routines and give them tips to keep active.


 * Day fourteen:**
 * Today will be a day of reflection, students will look through their food and exercise journals and reflect on their eating and exercise habits. Are they contributing to the ongoing obesity epidemic or are they living a healthy lifestyle.
 * What changes can they make in their lives, how can they help others in their lives live healthier lifestyles.
 * Students will write the final reflection, They will then be asked to write a reflection about the obesity epidemic with teens, and write a list of their opinions and feeling about the topic at the bottom of their reflections.
 * At the end of the class they will be handed back their initial reflection at the beginning of the unit and how things have changed. Has their perspective, and feelings change since the beginning of the unit.


 * Day fifteen, sixteen, and seventeen**
 * For the next three days students will prepare for a “Fighting Against the Teen Obesity Epidemic.”
 * This will be a fair in which other class are invited and educated about the current obesity epidemic and educated on healthy and exercise eating activities. The goal of this fair is to impart some of the knowledge the class has obtained throughout the unit and promote sensitivity to those struggling with obesity, and promote healthy lifestyle.
 * Students will be divided into four groups and each group is going to be responsible for a different preparation.
 * Group one: Posters and decorations
 * Group two: A PowerPoint or Prezi presentation
 * Group three: Brochures to give out to the classes that visit the “fair.”
 * Group four: will be the group that will give speeches in the fair.


 * Day eighteen, nineteen and twenty:**
 * Presentation, visitors will be invited to the “fair” for the class period, whether it be in the room, or auditorium, or bigger room. Students will great the guest, hand out brochures and answer any questions they may have. Students will bring light to the obesity epidemic and hopefully help others become more sensitive to those struggling with obesity, decrease the epidemic, and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
 * Homework: Students will write a paper summiting up the unit, what they learned, what changes they need to make in their lives, and how they can promote healthier living.


 * Writing Assignments: **


 * 1) Persuasive Essay: Students will be asked to write a persuasive essay to this generation. This point of the essay is to persuade and urge this generation to take a stand against bullying.


 * 1) Reflections: Students will be asked to write a reflection about the obesity epidemic in teens before studying the topic, and then write a reflection after the unit, to compare their responses.


 * 1) Short Essay: Students will write a short essay on healthy eating.


 * 1) Summary: Students will write a paper summiting up the unit, what they learned, what changes they need to make in their lives, and how they can promote healthier living.


 * 1) Students will create a “Fighting Against the Teen Obesity Epidemic.” The goal of this fair is to impart some of the knowledge the class has obtained throughout the unit and promote sensitivity to those struggling with obesity, and promote healthy lifestyle.


 * References: **

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