Individual Unit Theme: Nutritional Health

Subject: Mathematics
Grade Level: 8th
Focus Standards
Mathematics Standards
Use functions to model relationships between quantities
8.F.B.4: Construct a function to model a linear relationship between two quantities. Determine
the rate of change and initial value of the function from a description of a relationship or from
two (x,y) values, including reading these from a table or from a graph. Interpret the rate of
change and initial value of a linear function in terms of the situation it models, and in terms of
its graph or a table of values.
8.F.B.5: Describe qualitatively the functional relationship between two quantities by analyzing a
graph (e.g., where the function is increasing or decreasing, linear or nonlinear). Sketch a graph
that exhibits the qualitative features of a function that has been described verbally.
Statistics and Probability - Investigate patterns of association in bivariate data
8.SP.A.3: Use the equation of a linear model to solve problems in the context of bivariate
measurement data, interpreting the slope and intercept. For example, in a linear model for a
biology experiment, interpret a slope of 1.5 cm/hr as meaning that an additional hour of
sunlight each day is associated with an additional 1.5 cm in mature plant height.
Health Education Standards
S3.M2 Engages in Physical Activity
8 - Values participation in physical activity three times a week outside of physical education
class.
S3.M16 Assessment and Program Planning
8 - Designs and implements a program to improve levels of health related fitness and nutrition.
S3.M17 Nutrition
8 - Describe the relationship between poor nutrition and health risk factors.
Speaking and Listening Standards
Comprehension and Collaboration
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacherled) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others ideas and
expressing their own clearly. (8.SL.1)
Analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually,
quantitatively, orally) and evaluate the motives (e.g., social, commercial, political) behind its
presentation. (8.SL.2)
Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with
relevant evidence, sound valid reasoning, and well-chosen details; use appropriate eye contact,
adequate volume, and clear pronunciation. (8.SL.4)
Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen
claims and evidence, and add interest. (8.SL.5)

 Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English
when indicated or appropriate. (8.SL.6)
Enduring Understanding
Important Concepts:

Eating plans and exercise programs impact

overall health in individuals

Factors that contribute to personal eating

behaviors

Benefits of eating a balanced meal

The relationship among food intake and physical

activity plays a huge role in proper weight
management

Interpreting data in various formats and

replicating it onto a chart, graph, equation, etc.

Learning Outcomes
Students will know and be able to:

Demonstrate the ability to use

nutrition and fitness knowledge, skills,
and strategies to promote healthy
lifestyles

Analyze factors that contribute to

personal eating behaviors

Evaluate personal healthy eating

practices and behaviors

Demonstrate healthy practices and

behaviors that will maintain or improve
the health of self and others

Explain the relationship among food

intake, physical activity, and weight
management

Calculate a sample Body Mass Index

and explain what constitutes a healthy
weight

Analyze linear relationships in

various formats

Construct linear functions from realworld context

Design a poster which reflects the

information gathered throughout unit

Texts
1. MyPlate

Formative:

Assessment
Summative:

Publisher: United States Department of

Agriculture

Food Journal /
Log

Link to website:
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/about.html

Jeopardy
Review Game

Entry / Exit
Ticket

Tweet the Text

Think-PairShare

Checkpoint
quizzes

Reading Aloud

2. SuperTracker
Publisher: United States Department of
Agriculture
Link to website:
https://www.supertracker.usda.gov/
3. Curriculum Integration in Nutrition and
Mathematics
Authors: James Delores & Thomasenia Adams
Citation: James, D. C., & Adams, T. L. (1998).

Unit Test

Poster board

Infomercial

Curriculum Integration in Nutrition and

Mathematics. Journal of School Health, 68(1), 36. doi:10.1111/j.1746-1561.1998.tb03476.x
4. Food Rules: An Eaters Manual
Author: Michael Pollan

KNWS

Partner
Reading

Annotating
Text

Citation: Pollan, M. (2011). Food Rules: An

Eater's Manual. Retrieved from
http://www.healthmantra.com/food_guide.pdf
5. Khan Academy
Founder: Salman Khan
Link to website:
https://www.khanacademy.org/math/cc-eighthgrade-math/cc-8th-linear-equations-functions
6. The Skin You're In: Staying Healthy Inside and Out
Author: Diane Webber
Citation: Webber, D. (2008). The Skin You're In:
Staying Healthy Inside and Out. New York:
Franklin Watts.
7. Connecting Mathematical Ideas: Middle School
Video Cases to Support Teaching and Learning
Authors: Jo Boaler & Cathy Humphreys
Citation: Boaler, J. & Humphreys, C. (2005).
Connecting Mathematical Ideas: Middle School
Video Cases to Support Teaching and Learning.
Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
8. Teaching and Learning High School Mathematics
Authors: Charlene Beckmann, Denisse
Thompson, & Rheta Rubenstein
Citation: Beckmann, C. E., Thompson, D. R., &
Rubenstein, R. (2004). Teaching and Learning
High School Mathematics. Hoboken, NJ: John
Wiley & Sons.
9. What Did I Eat?: Fractions, Decimals, and Percents
Author: Aubrie Nielsen
Citation: Nielsen, A. (2012). What Did I Eat?:
Fractions, Decimals, and Percents. Huntington
Beach, CA: Teacher Created Materials.
Learning Plan:

Differentiation:

Week 1:

Introduce the notion of mathematics and

nutrition integration
Read Curriculum Integration in Nutrition and

Using reading materials at varying

Lexile

Multiple text formats

Presenting ideas both in auditory and

Mathematics
o Students will work in groups to find
important concepts from their assigned
passage to share for a whole class
discussion.
Introduce Relations and Functions
o Define, evaluate, and compare functions
Read Part I of The Skin You're In: Staying
Healthy Inside and Out

Week 2:

Discussion from Part I of independent reading

o Students will complete an exit ticket on
something important they learned from the
reading with textual evidence
Continue lesson on Relations and Functions
o Functions are described and modeled using
a variety of depictions, including algebraic
representation, graphic representation,
numerical tables, and verbal descriptions
Introduce Khan Academy for student resource
Read Part II of The Skin You're In: Staying
Healthy Inside and Out

Week 3:

Discussion from Part II of independent reading

Introduce Linear Functions
o Connections between proportional
relationships, lines, and linear equations
Introduce MyPlate & SuperTracker resources
o Students will work in groups to learn about
their assigned food group/information (oils,
etc.) from the MyPlate website. Then, each
group will create a small poster on their
assigned information and share it with the
class.
o The SuperTracker website will be
introduced during an in-class lesson to
show students how to track their meals in
their food journal for an entire week.
Read Part III of The Skin You're In: Staying
Healthy Inside and Out

Week 4:

Discussion from Part III of independent reading

o Students will complete an exit ticket on
something important they learned from the
reading with textual evidence
Assign Food Journal project
o Using a given template, students will

visual formats

Small group work

Following IEP and 504 Plans

Varying length of time to complete

tasks

Rubrics

Varied expressions of learning

record the meals they eat for a full week.

The information they recorded will be used
for a reflection on food consumption and
physical activity on overall health.
Continue lesson on Linear Functions
o Compare proportional relationships
depicted in different ways (graphical,
tabular, algebraic, verbal)
o Explore models and tables to describe rate
of change
Read Food Rules: An Eaters Manual
o Students will be given one or two rules to
study. Then, each student will explain their
given rule(s) to the class. The whole class
will choose which ten rules to focus on for
the remainder of the unit.
Read Part IV of The Skin You're In: Staying
Healthy Inside and Out

Week 5:

Discussion from Part IV of independent reading

Continue lesson on Linear Functions
o Expand knowledge to bivariate data, which
can be graphed and a line of best fit
determined
Reflection on Food Journal project
o Using knowledge from previous lessons,
students will record their overall
consumption and physical activity on a
graph, which they will then use to evaluate
and reflect on their overall health.
Assign Gallery Walk project
o Students will create a poster board using
the nutritional and mathematical concepts
and information learned throughout unit
Read Part V of The Skin You're In: Staying
Healthy Inside and Out

Week 6:

Discussion from Part V of independent reading

o Students will complete an exit ticket on
their overall takeaway from the reading
Unit Test
o Students will participate in a Jeopardy
Review game the day prior to the test
Perform Gallery Walk activity
o Half the class will present their information
one day and the other half will present their
information on the next day