Math, Calories and You

by Francie Caraker

Introduction:

Don't we all like to eat and exercise? This lesson makes students aware of how many calories they burn in relation to their own body weight and they get to practice their multiplication skills at the same time.

Prior Knowledge:

Students will need to know how to multiply decimals and round off to the nearest whole number.

Grade Level: 5-8

Objective:

Students will multiply their body weight times calorie estimates for various physical activities to calculate calories burned per minute and per hour.

Resources:

Computer with Internet access
Scale
Calculator (optional)
Worksheet (HTML)
Worksheet (PDF)

Process:

Students weigh on a scale and record the weight on the worksheet (HTML) / worksheet (PDF)
Access the site Calories Count!
Calculate how many calories they burn according to their body weight per minute and per hour for a number of physical activities.

Learning Advice:

If a scale is not available, you may be able to use the most recent measurement from student records or use the weight of well known athletes and compare calculations for different body weights. Teachers may wan to do one sample calculation as an example for students. An overhead transparency of the worksheet would be helpful for the class to review answers as a closure activity.

Evaluation: On a scale of 1-10 with the number of correct answers for the calculations:

Number Correct	Number of Points	Grade
27-30	9-10	A
24-26	8	B
21-13	7	C
18-20	6	D

Extensions:

Students could calculate calories burned for people of different body types or for different athletes, like a dancer compared to a linebacker. Have them visit site Exercise Recommendations (http://www.angelfire.com/biz/connexx/exercise.html) to see how much exercise the U.S. Surgeon General recommends. Do they meet that recommendation?

Conclusion:

Students will realize that weight makes a difference in the number of calories burned for different activities and practice multiplication and rounding with decimals.

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California's Mathematics Academic Standards

Grade 5:
Number Sense
1.0 Students compute with very large and very small numbers, positive integers, decimals, and fractions and understand the relationship between decimals, fractions, and percents. They understand the relative magnitudes of numbers.
1.1 estimate, round, and manipulate very large (e.g., millions) and very small (e.g., thousandths) numbers

2.0 Students perform calculations and solve problems involving addition, subtraction, and simple multiplication and division of fractions and decimals.

2.3 solve simple problems, including ones arising in concrete situations, involving the addition and subtraction of fractions and mixed numbers (like and unlike denominators of 20 or less), and express answers in simplest form

Mathematical Reasoning
1.0 Students make decisions about how to approach problems.

1.1 analyze problems by identifying relationships, discriminating relevant from irrelevant information, sequencing and prioritizing information, and observing patterns

2.0 Students use strategies, skills and concepts in finding solutions.

2.4 express the solution clearly and logically by using the appropriate mathematical notation and terms and clear language; support solutions with evidence in both verbal and symbolic work

NCTM Standards 5-8: Mathematics as Problem Solving, Mathematics as Reasoning, Computation and Estimation

Answer Key:

1-17 Student calculations will vary depending on their body weight.
18 Because calories are burned based on the amount of weight moved, a person who weighs more will burn more calories by exercising over the same distance as a lighter person.