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Energy Equation

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Lesson Plan

Calorie Calculation Guide

Students will calculate their individual daily calorie needs by applying a base metabolic rate formula and activity multipliers, reinforcing math skills with real-world nutrition concepts.

This lesson builds essential math fluency while promoting health literacy by showing how calories fuel daily activities. It empowers 6th graders to connect classroom learning with personal wellness.

Audience

6th Grade Student

Time

25 minutes

Approach

Guided demonstration, independent application, and quick quiz

Materials

Energy Math Slides, Calorie Needs Worksheet, Energy Equation Check, Calculator, and Pencil or digital device

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction to Calories & Formula

5 minutes

  • Explain what a calorie measures (energy).
  • Introduce the base metabolic rate (BMR) concept as 25 kcal × body weight (kg).
  • Present activity multipliers (e.g., Sedentary ×1.2, Moderate ×1.5, Active ×1.8) on Energy Math Slides.
  • Show overall formula: Total Calories = BMR × Activity Multiplier.

Step 2

Guided Example

8 minutes

  • Project an example (e.g., 40 kg student, moderate activity) on the slides.
  • Walk through: BMR = 25 × 40 = 1000 kcal; Total = 1000 × 1.5 = 1500 kcal.
  • Ask student to calculate a second example with your support.
  • Confirm steps and clarify any questions.

Step 3

Independent Practice

7 minutes

  • Distribute the Calorie Needs Worksheet.
  • Have the student measure or estimate their weight, choose an activity level, and compute their own daily calorie need.
  • Circulate, check calculations, and provide hints as needed.

Step 4

Quick Assessment

5 minutes

  • Administer the Energy Equation Check quiz.
  • Ensure student completes two problems independently.
  • Review answers together, give immediate feedback, and address any errors.
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Slide Deck

Energy Equation: Calculating Your Daily Calories

• Understand what a calorie measures
• Learn the Base Metabolic Rate (BMR) formula
• Apply activity multipliers
• Practice one example and then calculate your own

Welcome! Today we’ll learn how to calculate daily calorie needs using simple math. Our goals: define a calorie, introduce the BMR formula, review activity multipliers, see one worked example, and then you’ll try your own calculation.

What Is a Calorie?

• A calorie measures the energy your body uses to breathe, move, and think.
• Everything you eat has calories that fuel your activities.
• Balancing calories in vs. calories out affects your energy level.

Explain that a calorie is a unit of energy. Relate to food packages or fuel for the body. Ask: “When you eat a snack, what do you think calories do for you?”

Base Metabolic Rate (BMR)

BMR = 25 kcal × body weight (kg)

Example: If you weigh 40 kg → BMR = 25 × 40 = 1 000 kcal

Introduce BMR as the energy your body needs at rest. Walk through the formula: BMR = 25 kcal × weight (kg). Emphasize units.

Activity Multipliers

• Sedentary (little or no exercise): × 1.2
• Moderate (light exercise/sports 3–5 days/week): × 1.5
• Active (hard exercise/sports 6–7 days/week): × 1.8

Discuss activity levels and why more active people need more calories. Show multipliers and examples of activities for each level.

Total Calories & Worked Example

Total Calories = BMR × Activity Multiplier

Example:
• Weight = 40 kg → BMR = 25 × 40 = 1 000 kcal
• Moderate activity → 1 000 × 1.5 = 1 500 kcal

So this student needs 1 500 kcal/day.

Combine BMR and multiplier. Walk through the calculation step by step. Check student understanding after each step.

Your Turn: Calculate Your Calories

  1. Measure or estimate your weight in kg.
  2. Choose your activity level (Sedentary ×1.2 / Moderate ×1.5 / Active ×1.8).
  3. Compute BMR = 25 × your weight.
  4. Multiply BMR by your activity multiplier to find your total daily calories.

Prompt the student to apply what they’ve learned. Guide them if they need hints. Check their arithmetic and discuss any mistakes.

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Worksheet

Calorie Needs Worksheet

Follow the guided steps below to calculate your daily calorie needs based on your weight and activity level.

1. Measure or estimate your weight in kilograms:

Weight (kg): ______




2. Calculate your Base Metabolic Rate (BMR):

Use the formula BMR = 25 kcal × weight (kg)

BMR = 25 × ______ = ______ kcal




3. Choose your activity level and record its multiplier:

• Sedentary (little or no exercise): × 1.2
• Moderate (light exercise/sports 3–5 days/week): × 1.5
• Active (hard exercise/sports 6–7 days/week): × 1.8

My Activity Level: ______
Multiplier: ______







4. Compute your total daily calorie needs:

Total Calories = BMR × Multiplier
= ______ × ______ = ______ kcal




Complete the table below for two sample scenarios:

Weight (kg)BMR = 25 × weight (kcal)Activity LevelMultiplierTotal Calories (kcal)
40______Moderate1.5______
55______Active1.8______




Practice Problems

  1. A student weighs 30 kg and is sedentary. Calculate their total daily calorie needs. Show your work:Step 1: BMR = 25 × ______ = ______ kcal
    Step 2: Total Calories = ______ × 1.2 = ______ kcal





















  2. A student weighs 60 kg and is moderately active. Calculate their total daily calorie needs. Show your work:Step 1: BMR = 25 × ______ = ______ kcal
    Step 2: Total Calories = ______ × 1.5 = ______ kcal





















When you’ve finished, complete the short quiz: Energy Equation Check

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Quiz

Energy Equation Check

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Energy Equation • Lenny Learning