Script: Building Blocks of Life

Session 1

Warm-Up & Introduction (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Or good afternoon, depending on when you're watching this! Today, we're going to talk about something super important that affects all of us, every single day: the food we eat and what it does for our bodies. "

Teacher: "Think about your favorite food. Why do you like it? Does it give you energy? Does it make you feel good?" (Pause for student responses, encourage a few shares).

Teacher: "Amazing! You know, our bodies are like super complex machines. And just like any machine, they need the right parts and the right fuel to work well. Today, we're going to uncover the secret 'building blocks' that make up our bodies and the food we eat. These are called Macromolecules!"

(Display Building Blocks of Life Slide Deck - Slide 1: 'Building Blocks of Life: The Molecules That Make Us!')

Teacher: "Take a look at our first slide! Our title for today is 'Building Blocks of Life: The Molecules That Make Us!' It's all about understanding what makes our bodies tick."

(Display Building Blocks of Life Slide Deck - Slide 2: 'What Are Macromolecules?')

Teacher: "The word 'macromolecule' might sound big, but it just means 'big molecule'! Think of your body as being built with giant LEGO blocks. These 'macro' (big) 'molecules' are the super important large molecules found in all living things – that includes us and all the plants and animals we eat!"

(Display Building Blocks of Life Slide Deck - Slide 3: 'Why Do We Need Them?')

Teacher: "So, why do we need these big building blocks? Well, they help us with so many things! They give us energy to run, think, and play! They help us grow strong muscles and bones, and repair our bodies if we get hurt. And they help us stay healthy and fight off sickness. Without them, our bodies wouldn't work at all!"

Carbohydrates & Lipids Deep Dive (30 minutes)

(Display Building Blocks of Life Slide Deck - Slide 4: 'Carbohydrates: Your Energy Boosters!')

Teacher: "Let's start with our first building block: Carbohydrates! Who here feels sleepy sometimes? Or needs a boost to focus? Carbohydrates are your body's number one source for quick energy! They are like the express train of energy for your body. Their main job is to give you energy to do everything."

Teacher: "Carbohydrates are made of different kinds of sugars. The smallest unit, or a single 'building block,' of a carbohydrate is called a monosaccharide. 'Mono' means one, and 'saccharide' means sugar. So, a monosaccharide is one sugar unit. When many monosaccharides link together, they form bigger carbohydrates, which are also called polymers because they are made of many (poly) repeating units (mers)."

(Display Building Blocks of Life Slide Deck - Slide 5: 'Carbohydrates: Simple vs. Complex')

Teacher: "Now, not all carbohydrates are the same. We have simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates. Simple carbs are found in things like fruits, candy, and soda. They give you energy fast, like a quick flash, but that energy doesn't last very long."

Teacher: "Complex carbohydrates are found in foods like bread, pasta, rice, and vegetables. These give you energy slowly, over a longer time, helping you feel full and energetic for a longer period. Think of it like a slow-burning log in a fireplace - steady and long-lasting warmth."

Teacher: "Can anyone tell me one food they think is a simple carbohydrate? How about a complex one?" (Encourage student participation, asking why they chose those foods.)

(Display Building Blocks of Life Slide Deck - Slide 6: 'Lipids: The Body's Storage Units!')

Teacher: "Our next big building block is Lipids. You might know them as fats or oils. Lipids are super important for storing energy for a long time, like a battery that keeps a lot of power. They also help keep you warm and protect your organs. Think of them as the body's storage units, perfect for long-term savings!"

Teacher: "Lipids are made up of smaller parts called fatty acids and glycerol. One important type of lipid, called a phospholipid, is a major part of your cell membranes – the protective outer layer of every single cell in your body! Some hormones, which are like chemical messengers in your body, are also made from lipids."

(Display Building Blocks of Life Slide Deck - Slide 7: 'Lipids: What are Triglycerides?')

Teacher: "A very common type of lipid we hear about is Triglycerides. These are a specific kind of fat found in your blood. When you eat, your body turns any calories it doesn't need right away into triglycerides. These are then stored in your fat cells. Later, if you need energy, your body can use these stored triglycerides for fuel."

Teacher: "However, having too many triglycerides can be bad for your heart health. It can increase your risk of heart disease. Doctors often check triglyceride levels during blood tests to see how healthy someone's heart is."

Teacher: "What foods affect triglycerides? Eating too many simple carbohydrates, like sugary drinks and white bread, and too many unhealthy fats can raise your triglyceride levels. So, choosing complex carbs and healthy fats is a good way to keep them in check."

Guided Practice & Reading (20 minutes)

Teacher: "Alright, we've covered a lot about carbohydrates and lipids. Now it's your turn to be a macromolecule expert! I'm handing out the Macromolecules Explorer Worksheet. We'll work on the first few questions together, focusing on carbohydrates and lipids."

(Distribute Macromolecules Explorer Worksheet. Guide students through questions 1-4. Circulate to provide support, especially for ELL and IEP students. Use visuals or rephrase questions as needed.)

Teacher: "Now, I'm also giving you a reading called The Body's Building Blocks Reading. This reading will help you review what we just talked about and get ready for the next part of our lesson. Please start reading the sections about carbohydrates and lipids. Feel free to highlight any words or ideas that are new or interesting to you. You can work by yourself or with a partner."

(Monitor students as they read and work on the worksheet. Offer support, vocabulary clarification, or sentence starters for ELLs. For IEP students, you might provide a graphic organizer to fill out while reading or focus on specific questions from the worksheet.)

Session 2

Review & Proteins (20 minutes)

Teacher: "Welcome back, everyone! Last time, we started exploring the 'Building Blocks of Life' – our macromolecules. Can anyone remind us of the two macromolecules we discussed last session?" (Expect 'Carbohydrates' and 'Lipids'.)

Teacher: "Excellent! Today we're going to dive into the other two super important building blocks: Proteins and Nucleic Acids!"

(Display Building Blocks of Life Slide Deck - Slide 8: 'Proteins: The Body's Builders!')

Teacher: "Our third macromolecule is Proteins! If carbohydrates are for quick energy and lipids are for stored energy, then proteins are the ultimate builders and repair crew for your body. Their main job is to build and repair tissues like your muscles, bones, and skin. They also help make important things like enzymes and hormones."

Teacher: "Proteins are made of smaller building blocks called amino acids. Think of amino acids as the individual beads, and when you string many amino acids together, you get a protein, which is a long chain or a polymer."

Teacher: "A really cool example is hemoglobin. Does anyone know what hemoglobin does?" (Pause for responses). "That's right! Hemoglobin is a protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to every single part of your body. Without enough protein, your body wouldn't be able to carry enough oxygen!"

Teacher: "Also, enzymes are special proteins that help speed up chemical reactions in your body, like digesting food. And some hormones, like insulin, are proteins that send messages around your body to keep things balanced."

(Display Building Blocks of Life Slide Deck - Slide 9: 'Proteins: Where Do We Find Them?')

Teacher: "So, where do we find these amazing builders? We get proteins from foods like meat (chicken, beef, fish), eggs, beans, lentils, nuts, and dairy products like milk and cheese. It's important to eat a variety of these foods so your body gets all the different types of amino acids it needs to build everything properly."

Nucleic Acids & Review (20 minutes)

(Display Building Blocks of Life Slide Deck - Slide 10: 'Nucleic Acids: The Body's Instruction Manual!')

Teacher: "And finally, our fourth macromolecule: Nucleic Acids! These are like the body's master plan or instruction manual. Their main job is to store and carry all the genetic information that makes you, you!"

Teacher: "Nucleic acids are made of smaller building blocks called nucleotides. Just like amino acids for proteins or monosaccharides for carbohydrates, nucleotides are the individual units that link together to form a long nucleic acid chain."

Teacher: "There are two main types you've probably heard of: DNA and RNA."

Teacher: "DNA is the master blueprint. It contains all the instructions for building and operating your entire body. It's in almost every cell!"

Teacher: "RNA is like a messenger. It takes copies of instructions from the DNA and carries them out to other parts of the cell to help build proteins. So, DNA gives the orders, and RNA helps carry them out."

Teacher: "Because nucleic acids are in all living things, you actually get them from all the foods you eat – whether it's plant-based or animal-based, it all has DNA and RNA!"

(Display Building Blocks of Life Slide Deck - Slide 11: 'Recap: The Four Building Blocks')

Teacher: "Wow, we've learned about four incredible building blocks today! Let's quickly recap:

• Carbohydrates: These are our quick energy providers! (Think sugars, starches, monosaccharides)
• Lipids: These store energy for the long term and protect us! (Think fats, oils, glycerol, phospholipids, triglycerides)
• Proteins: These build and repair our bodies! (Think muscles, bones, enzymes, hormones, hemoglobin, amino acids)
• Nucleic Acids: These are our genetic instruction manuals! (Think DNA, RNA, nucleotides)"

Teacher: "Any questions about these amazing molecules before we move to an activity?" (Address questions and clarify misunderstandings. Provide simplified explanations or visual cues as needed for ELL/IEP students.)

Activity: Food Detective! (20 minutes)

(Display Building Blocks of Life Slide Deck - Slide 12: 'Activity: Food Detective! 🕵️‍♀️🍔')

Teacher: "Alright, it's time to put on your detective hats! You're going to become 'Food Detectives.' I'm going to give each group some Food Detective Activity Cards with pictures of different foods. Your job, as a group, is to look at each food card and decide: Which of the four macromolecules do you think are in this food? And what role do they play?"

Teacher: "For example, if you get a picture of an apple, you might say, 'An apple has carbohydrates for quick energy!' Or if you get a picture of chicken, 'Chicken has protein to build muscles!'"

Teacher: "Work together, discuss, and be ready to share your findings with the class. Remember to use the terms we learned: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and even the smaller parts like monosaccharides, amino acids, or nucleotides if you can! I'll be walking around to help. You have about 15 minutes for this."

(Divide students into small groups (3-4 students). Distribute Food Detective Activity Cards. Circulate, listen to discussions, offer hints, and provide support. Encourage all students to participate, using sentence frames for ELLs if helpful: "I think this food has ____ because it gives us ____." or "This food is a good source of ____ which helps our body ____.")

Cool Down (10 minutes)

(Display Building Blocks of Life Slide Deck - Slide 13: 'Cool Down: My Food, My Fuel')

Teacher: "Fantastic work, Food Detectives! Let's bring it all back together. For our cool down today, I want you to think about what you learned. On your Macromolecules Explorer Worksheet, turn to the last page or just use a blank piece of paper. I want you to answer these two questions:

1. What was one new thing you learned today about food and your body?
2. How might this information help you make healthy choices in the future?"

Teacher: "Take a few minutes to write down your thoughts. This is a great way to reflect on how important these building blocks are for your own health."

(Collect worksheets or have students share out briefly as an exit ticket. Provide options for drawing or verbal responses for students who struggle with writing.)

Teacher: "Excellent job today, everyone! You are now all experts on the amazing building blocks of life! Keep thinking about these macromolecules next time you eat!"

Macromolecules Explorer Worksheet

Name: ____________________________

Date: ____________________________

Part 1: What Are Macromolecules? (Review from Session 1)

1. What does the word "macromolecule" mean? (Hint: Think about "macro" and "molecules")
   
   
   
   

2. List two reasons why macromolecules are important for your body.
   a.
   
   
   
   b.
   
   
   

Part 2: Carbohydrates - Your Energy Boosters!

3. What is the main job of carbohydrates in your body?
   
   
   
   

4. The smallest building block of a carbohydrate is called a:
   a. Amino acid
   b. Monosaccharide
   c. Nucleotide
   d. Glycerol
   
   
   
   

5. Match the carbohydrate type to its description:

   • Simple Carbohydrates ______ A. Give you long-lasting energy
   • Complex Carbohydrates ______ B. Give you quick energy
     
     
     
     

6. Name two foods that are good sources of carbohydrates.
   a.
   
   
   
   b.
   
   
   

Part 3: Lipids - The Body's Storage Units!

7. What are two main jobs of lipids in your body?
   a.
   
   
   
   b.
   
   
   

8. Lipids are made of smaller parts called fatty acids and ____________________.
   
   
   
   

9. What are triglycerides? What happens if you have too many of them?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

10. Name two foods that contain lipids (fats/oils).
    a.
    
    
    
    b.
    
    
    

Part 4: Proteins - The Body's Builders! (Review from Session 2)

11. What is the main job of proteins in your body?
    
    
    
    

12. The smallest building block of a protein is called an:
    a. Saccharide
    b. Glycerol
    c. Amino acid
    d. Nucleotide
    
    
    
    

13. How does hemoglobin (a protein) help your body?
    
    
    
    

14. Name two foods that are good sources of protein.
    a.
    
    
    
    b.
    
    
    

Part 5: Nucleic Acids - The Body's Instruction Manual!

15. What is the main job of nucleic acids in your body?
    
    
    
    

16. The smallest building block of a nucleic acid is called a:
    a. Amino acid
    b. Nucleotide
    c. Monosaccharide
    d. Fatty acid
    
    
    
    

17. What are the two main types of nucleic acids?
    a.
    
    
    
    b.
    
    
    

Part 6: Reflection (Cool Down)

18. What was one new thing you learned today about food and your body?
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

19. How might this information help you make healthy choices in the future?
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

The Body's Building Blocks: Macromolecules

Did you know your body is made of amazing, tiny building blocks? These special, large molecules are called macromolecules! They are super important for helping your body grow, get energy, and stay healthy. Let's learn about the four main types:

1. Carbohydrates: Your Quick Energy!

Carbohydrates are your body's main source of fast energy. Think of them as the fuel that helps you run, play, and even think!

• What they do: Give you energy.
• Building Blocks: The smallest unit of a carbohydrate is a monosaccharide (mono = one, saccharide = sugar). Many monosaccharides linked together form larger carbohydrates, which are also called polymers.
• Two Types of Carbs:
  • Simple Carbs: These are found in sugary foods like candy, soda, and fruit. They give you quick energy that doesn't last long.
  • Complex Carbs: These are found in foods like bread, pasta, rice, and vegetables. They give you energy slowly, helping you feel full and strong for a longer time.
• Where to find them: Bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, fruits, vegetables, candy, sugary drinks.

2. Lipids: Stored Energy and Protection!

Lipids are fats and oils. They are important for storing energy for a long time, keeping you warm, and protecting your body's organs.

• What they do: Store energy, keep you warm, protect organs, form cell membranes.
• Building Blocks: Lipids are made of smaller parts called fatty acids and glycerol.
• Special Lipids:
  • Phospholipids are a main part of your cell membranes (the outside layer of your cells).
  • Some hormones (chemical messengers in your body) are also made from lipids.
  • Triglycerides: This is a type of fat found in your blood. Your body stores extra energy as triglycerides. If you have too many, it can be bad for your heart. Eating too many simple sugars and unhealthy fats can raise your triglycerides. Doctors check these to see how healthy your heart is.
• Where to find them: Oils (olive oil, vegetable oil), butter, avocado, nuts, fatty meats.

3. Proteins: The Body's Builders and Workers!

Proteins are like the construction workers and repair crew of your body. They build and fix your muscles, bones, skin, and hair.

• What they do: Build and repair tissues, make enzymes (which speed up reactions) and hormones (chemical messengers).
• Building Blocks: The smallest unit of a protein is an amino acid. Many amino acids linked together form a protein polymer.
• Important Proteins:
  • Muscles are mostly made of protein.
  • Hemoglobin is a protein in your blood that carries oxygen.
  • Enzymes are special proteins that help your body do things, like digest food.
• Where to find them: Meat (chicken, beef, fish), eggs, beans, nuts, dairy products (milk, cheese).

4. Nucleic Acids: Your Body's Master Plan!

Nucleic acids are like the instruction manual or blueprint for your entire body. They carry all the genetic information that makes you unique.

• What they do: Store and carry genetic information.
• Building Blocks: The smallest unit of a nucleic acid is a nucleotide. Many nucleotides link together to form nucleic acid polymers.
• Two Main Types:
  • DNA: This is the master blueprint, found in almost every cell of your body. It has all the instructions for how your body is built and how it works.
  • RNA: This is like a messenger that carries copies of instructions from DNA to help your body build proteins.
• Where to find them: In all living things! So, you get them from all the foods you eat, whether it's meat, vegetables, or fruit. They are in every cell!

Food Detective Activity Cards

Instructions: Work with your group to identify which macromolecules (Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, Nucleic Acids) are present in each food card. Explain why you think so!

Card 1: Apple 🍎

• Description: A juicy, sweet red fruit.
• Macromolecules?
  
  
  
  

Card 2: Chicken Breast 🍗

• Description: A lean piece of cooked chicken.
• Macromolecules?
  
  
  
  

Card 3: Olive Oil 🧪

• Description: A golden liquid used for cooking.
• Macromolecules?
  
  
  
  

Card 4: White Bread 🍞

• Description: A slice of bread often used for sandwiches.
• Macromolecules?
  
  
  
  

Card 5: Kidney Beans 🌱

• Description: Small, reddish-brown beans, often eaten in chili.
• Macromolecules?
  
  
  
  

Card 6: Avocado 🥑

• Description: A creamy, green fruit often used in guacamole.
• Macromolecules?
  
  
  
  

Card 7: Pasta 🍝

• Description: Cooked noodles, a common dinner item.
• Macromolecules?
  
  
  
  

Card 8: Salmon 🍣

• Description: A pink fish known for its healthy fats.
• Macromolecules?
  
  
  
  

Card 9: Spinach 🍃

• Description: Green leafy vegetable.
• Macromolecules?
  
  
  
  

Macromolecules Explorer Answer Key

Part 1: What Are Macromolecules? (Review from Session 1)

1. What does the word "macromolecule" mean? (Hint: Think about "macro" and "molecules")

   • "Macromolecule" means "big molecule." These are large and important molecules found in all living things.

2. List two reasons why macromolecules are important for your body.

   • They give us energy.
   • They help us grow strong muscles and bones.
   • They help repair our bodies.
   • They help us stay healthy.

Part 2: Carbohydrates - Your Energy Boosters!

3. What is the main job of carbohydrates in your body?

   • To give the body quick energy.

4. The smallest building block of a carbohydrate is called a:

   • b. Monosaccharide

5. Match the carbohydrate type to its description:

   • Simple Carbohydrates B. Give you quick energy
   • Complex Carbohydrates A. Give you long-lasting energy

6. Name two foods that are good sources of carbohydrates.

   • (Any two of) Bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, fruits, vegetables, candy, soda.

Part 3: Lipids - The Body's Storage Units!

7. What are two main jobs of lipids in your body?

   • Store energy for a long time.
   • Keep you warm.
   • Protect your organs.
   • Form cell membranes.

8. Lipids are made of smaller parts called fatty acids and glycerol.

9. What are triglycerides? What happens if you have too many of them?

   • Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood that stores unused energy. If you have too many, it can be bad for your heart health and increase your risk of heart disease.

10. Name two foods that contain lipids (fats/oils).

    • (Any two of) Oils (olive oil, vegetable oil), butter, avocado, nuts, fatty meats.

Part 4: Proteins - The Body's Builders! (Review from Session 2)

11. What is the main job of proteins in your body?

    • To build and repair tissues (like muscles, bones, skin), and make enzymes and hormones.

12. The smallest building block of a protein is called an:

    • c. Amino acid

13. How does hemoglobin (a protein) help your body?

    • Hemoglobin carries oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your body.

14. Name two foods that are good sources of protein.

    • (Any two of) Meat (chicken, beef, fish), eggs, beans, lentils, nuts, dairy (milk, cheese).

Part 5: Nucleic Acids - The Body's Instruction Manual!

15. What is the main job of nucleic acids in your body?

    • To store and carry genetic information (the instructions for your body).

16. The smallest building block of a nucleic acid is called a:

    • b. Nucleotide

17. What are the two main types of nucleic acids?

    • DNA
    • RNA

Part 6: Reflection (Cool Down)

18. What was one new thing you learned today about food and your body?

    • (Student's individual response)

19. How might this information help you make healthy choices in the future?

    • (Student's individual response)