Does smiling take as much energy as running a lap around the track? Everything the body does requires energy. The more vigorous the activity, the more energy the body requires to perform the activity. Compare different low-energy...

Students build and test structures that can best withstand earthquakes. They create their structures from playdough, cornstarch, grape-nuts and popsicle sticks and place their structures on a "shake table."

As educators we are always looking to boost our learners' self esteem. Here they will analyze a Colombian sculpture, identify its traits, and then list positive traits about themselves. They'll create treasure boxes that exemplify a...

This is the culminating activity for a unit on energy balance for 3rd-5th graders created by Together Counts. Young learners make a plan to balance their energy in and their energy out for one month. They use the SMART steps in creating...

Young learners take a look at what they eat in one day and compare it to how much physical activity they do on that same day. Point out that this is only a one-day glimpse at balancing the energy going in and what energy being used. They...

How do young learners figure out how to balance their energy in and their energy out? The main thing to understand is calories. How many calories are in foods and beverages consumed and how many calories are burned off by physical...

Are there benefits to being physically active? Yes! There are both short-term and long-term benefits! Being physically active doesn't just have strengthen you physically, but also emotionally and socially. Learners find out how to...

What are Dietary Guidelines? What are the basic principles of a sensible healthy diet? What do variety, balance, and moderation have to do with eating healthy. What are the food groups? There are a couple of activities in this lesson...

All physical activity requires energy. The more vigorous the physical activity, the more energy required to perform the activity. Sitting around requires energy. What? Yes, there are still physical things happening in the body, like...

How many calories are needed each day? What foods have good calories? What happens to calories that don't get used? How many calories are in the different kinds of foods and drinks? How many calories do I need to do a certain activity?...

What does the term "lifestyle" mean? What constitutes an active lifestyle? What constitutes a healthy lifestyle? The main ideas in this lesson plan focus on what an active healthy lifestyle looks like. There are questions for discussion,...

How does one go about making a decision? Go with the flow, flip a coin? How about rock, paper, scissors? What things should be taken into consideration when making a decision? Does one need to consider benefits and/or consequences? A...

Students discuss the topic of body image.  In this body image lesson, students view a few people's body image thoughts and discuss how to help their people.  Students then write a poster and pretend press release, explaining to...

Young scholars discover the true value of their senses. In this sight instructional activity, students discover the difficulty of life without sight by performing everyday activities without the help of their eyes. The young scholars...

"Energy Plus!" from Together Counts is three days worth of lessons, discussions, and activities about nutrition. The materials help you teach youngsters about eating healthy and burning calories. Energy in and energy out. Included are...

Students diagram a plant. In this Science lesson plan, students explore the concept of photosynthesis focusing on the oxygen production. Students calculate the amount of plants needed to filter the air in their classroom.

Ever wonder how loud a sound has to be to cause damage? Young scientists explore sound properties by researching decibel levels. They discuss how sound is perceived by our ears and our brains and why it can cause negative health effects...

Students explore plant life by creating their own gardens in class. In this food growing activity, students discuss the types of gardening methods Native Americans used in order to keep healthy. Students plant corn seeds in their school...

It's disturbing to think that one third of children born after the year 2000 will suffer from diabetes and perhaps be the first generation to live shorter lives than their parents! Too many youngsters are not eating properly and are not...

Who doesn't love a good snack? Provide practice with basic snack preparation skill for your special education class. They follow each step-by-step procedure to make and serve a hot drink and a sandwich. These skills are taught using...

I really like this activity. Learners with special needs play a stoplight game to practice giving and responding to the need for personal space. Each child is given a green light and red light card, when you say, "Go" they walk around...

Take the time to teach learners with moderate disabilities how to identify recyclable materials. They learn how to recycle as a mode of social responsibility and community involvement. They practice identifying and sorting recyclable...

What to wear? Help your special needs class make independent choices about what they should wear during various weather conditions. They'll discuss weather-appropriate clothing, dress dolls for the weather outside, and even put on a...