Teacher Script: Drink Deep

Warm-Up: What's Your Go-To? (5 minutes)

"Good morning, everyone! Let's start with a quick thought. What's your favorite drink? When you're thirsty, or just want something tasty, what do you usually reach for? Think about it for a moment, then I'll ask a few of you to share."

"Great! We all have our go-to drinks. Today, we're going to become 'Drink Detectives' and learn about two common ingredients found in many of these drinks: sugar and caffeine. Our goal is to 'Sip Smarter, Stay Sharper!'"

Introduction to Sugar & Caffeine (10 minutes)

(Display Slide Deck: Sip Smarter, Stay Sharper - Slide 1)

"Look at this slide. Have you ever wondered what actually makes your favorite drinks taste so good, or gives you that burst of energy? We're going to explore just that."

(Display Slide Deck: Sip Smarter, Stay Sharper - Slide 2)

"First, let's talk about sugar. We need sugar for energy, but there's a big difference between natural sugars, like those in a piece of fruit, and added sugars, which are put into drinks to make them taste sweeter. Too much added sugar isn't good for us. Did you know that just 4 grams of sugar is about one teaspoon?"

"Look at these empty drink containers I have here. Hold up a soda can. Does anyone want to guess how many teaspoons of sugar might be in this can of soda? Just shout out a number!"

"Good guesses! Let's see the real numbers."

(Display Slide Deck: Sip Smarter, Stay Sharper - Slide 3)

"Wow! That's a lot, isn't it? We're going to visualize this in our activity next."

(Display Slide Deck: Sip Smarter, Stay Sharper - Slide 4)

"Now, let's switch gears to caffeine. Who knows what caffeine is or what it does to your body?"

"Exactly! Caffeine is a natural stimulant. It makes you feel more awake and alert. It's in coffee, tea, and some sodas. But for young bodies like yours, too much caffeine can make you feel jittery, give you an upset stomach, or even make it hard to sleep at night."

(Display Slide Deck: Sip Smarter, Stay Sharper - Slide 5)

"Here are some common caffeine amounts. Notice how some drinks have a lot more than others. Energy drinks, in particular, can have very high levels, which is why it's especially important to be careful with them."

Activity: Sugar Cube Stacking (10 minutes)

"Alright, Drink Detectives, it's time for our first mission: the Activity: Sugar Cube Stacking! I'm handing out a Worksheet: Drink Decoder Challenge to everyone. On this worksheet, you'll see a list of drinks and their sugar content. You'll use the sugar cubes (or 'sugar units') I provide to build a stack representing the sugar in each drink. This will give you a powerful visual of just how much sugar is hiding in our favorite sips."

"Work individually or with a partner to complete the sugar cube stacking for each drink listed on your worksheet. When you're done, try to answer the questions on the worksheet about what you observed. I'll be walking around to help and answer any questions."

Deep Dive: Reading & Discussion (5 minutes)

"Excellent work, everyone! Now that we've seen the sugar, let's learn more about the effects of sugar and caffeine on our bodies. I'm distributing a short Reading: The Sweet & Buzzing Truth. I'd like you to read it quietly to yourselves. Once you're done, we'll have a quick discussion."

(Allow 3 minutes for reading.)

"Okay, who can share one interesting fact they learned from the reading about sugar or caffeine?"

"Great point! What's one potential health issue mentioned in the reading that can come from too much sugar?"

"How about caffeine? What did the reading say about caffeine's effects, especially on young people?"

"These are all really important things to know when you're choosing what to drink!"

Game: Caffeine Crash Course (7 minutes)

"Ready for a fun way to test your caffeine knowledge? We're going to play the Game: Caffeine Crash Course! This game will help us understand different caffeine levels and their effects in a fast-paced way. Listen closely for the rules, and let's get ready to buzz!"

(Explain game rules and facilitate the game.)

Cool-Down: Smart Sips Pledge (3 minutes)

(Display Slide Deck: Sip Smarter, Stay Sharper - Slide 6)

"You've all been amazing Drink Detectives today! We've learned a lot about sugar and caffeine. Before you go, I want you to take a moment and think about one small change you might consider making to your own drink choices based on what we've discussed today."

"On the back of your Worksheet: Drink Decoder Challenge, there's a space for a 'Smart Sips Pledge.' Just write down one thing you might try. For example, maybe you'll choose water more often, or pick a smaller size of a sugary drink. There are no right or wrong answers, just your personal reflection."

"Thank you, everyone! You are now equipped to 'Sip Smarter, Stay Sharper!'"

Drink Decoder Challenge

Name: ____________________________

Date: ____________________________

Part 1: Sugar Cube Stacking Activity

Instructions: For each drink below, use the sugar cubes (or "sugar units") your teacher provides to build a stack that represents the amount of added sugar in that drink. One sugar cube = 1 teaspoon = 4 grams of sugar. (Refer to Reading: The Sweet & Buzzing Truth for more details if needed.)

Reflection Questions (Answer in complete sentences):

1. Which drink had the most sugar? Were you surprised by this?
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Why is it helpful to see the amount of sugar instead of just reading a number?
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. What do you think are some healthy alternatives to drinks with a lot of added sugar?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Caffeine Awareness

Instructions: Based on what you learned from the Reading: The Sweet & Buzzing Truth and class discussion, answer the following questions.

1. What is caffeine and what does it do to your body?
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. List two drinks that typically contain caffeine.
   
   
   

3. Why should children and teens be careful about consuming too much caffeine?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Cool-Down: Smart Sips Pledge

Instructions: Think about what you learned today. What is one small change you might make to your drink choices to be a "Smarter Sipper"? Write your pledge below.

My Smart Sips Pledge:

I will ____________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________.

Activity: Sugar Cube Stacking

Objective

To visually represent and compare the amount of added sugar in common beverages, helping students understand the impact of their drink choices.

Materials

• Worksheet: Drink Decoder Challenge (one per student)
• Sugar cubes or small paper slips labeled "sugar unit" (approx. 15-20 per student/pair)
• Empty drink containers (optional, for visual reference during introduction)

Instructions

1. Introduce the Challenge (2 minutes): Explain to students that they will be acting as "Drink Detectives" to uncover the hidden sugar in beverages. Remind them that 4 grams of sugar is roughly equal to 1 teaspoon, which we'll represent with one sugar cube/unit.

2. Distribute Materials (1 minute): Hand out the Worksheet: Drink Decoder Challenge and a small pile of sugar cubes/units to each student or pair.

3. Demonstrate (1 minute - optional but recommended): Pick one drink from the worksheet (e.g., a can of soda). Read its sugar content (e.g., 40 grams). Ask students, "If one sugar cube is 4 grams, how many cubes would we need for 40 grams?" (Answer: 10 cubes). Demonstrate by stacking 10 sugar cubes. Emphasize how much sugar that visually represents.

4. Student Stacking (5 minutes): Instruct students to work on their worksheets, calculating the number of sugar cubes needed for each drink and then physically stacking them. Encourage them to be careful with their stacks!

   • Guidance: Circulate around the classroom, providing assistance with calculations or stacking as needed. Prompt students to compare their stacks as they build them.

5. Observe and Discuss (1 minute): Once most students have completed a few stacks, ask them to look at their various sugar cube towers. Prompt with questions like:

   • "What do you notice about the height of the stacks?"
   • "Which drink surprised you the most with its sugar content?"
   • "How does seeing the sugar like this change your perception of these drinks?"

6. Complete Reflection Questions (as part of Worksheet): Students will then complete the reflection questions in Part 1 of their Worksheet: Drink Decoder Challenge.

The Sweet & Buzzing Truth: What's Really in Your Drinks?

Have you ever picked up a drink and wondered what's truly inside? Many of our favorite beverages contain two main ingredients that can affect our bodies: sugar and caffeine. Let's take a closer look.

The Scoop on Sugar

Sugar is a carbohydrate that our bodies use for energy. It's found naturally in fruits, vegetables, and milk. However, many drinks have added sugars, which are put in during processing to make them taste sweeter. These are the sugars we need to watch out for.

Why is too much added sugar a problem?

When we consume too many sugary drinks, our bodies get a lot of extra calories without many important nutrients like vitamins or fiber. Over time, this can lead to several health issues:

• Weight Gain: Extra sugar often means extra calories, which can contribute to gaining weight.
• Energy Crashes: Sugary drinks can give you a quick burst of energy, but this is often followed by a sudden drop, making you feel tired and sluggish.
• Dental Cavities: Sugar feeds bacteria in your mouth, leading to tooth decay.
• Increased Risk of Other Health Issues: Long-term, too much sugar can increase the risk of more serious health problems.

How to Spot It: Look at the nutrition label! Pay attention to "Added Sugars" and remember that 4 grams of sugar is roughly 1 teaspoon. It adds up quickly!

The Buzz on Caffeine

Caffeine is a natural stimulant found in plants. It's what gives coffee its kick, is in tea, and is often added to sodas and energy drinks. Caffeine works by affecting your brain and nervous system, making you feel more awake, alert, and focused.

Why should we be careful with caffeine?

While a little bit of caffeine might help adults feel energized, it can have stronger effects on children and teenagers because their bodies are still developing and are more sensitive. Too much caffeine can lead to:

• Jitters and Nervousness: Feeling shaky, anxious, or restless.
• Trouble Sleeping: Caffeine can stay in your system for many hours, making it difficult to fall asleep at night.
• Upset Stomach or Headaches: Some people experience these side effects.
• Dependence: Over time, your body can get used to caffeine, and you might experience headaches or tiredness if you don't have it.

Where is it found?

Common sources include coffee, tea, many sodas (like cola and root beer), chocolate, and especially energy drinks. Energy drinks often contain very high levels of caffeine, sometimes as much as several cups of coffee, which can be particularly risky for young people.

Making Smart Choices

Understanding the sugar and caffeine content in your drinks helps you make informed choices. By choosing water, unsweetened tea, or milk more often, you can help your body stay healthy, maintain steady energy, and get better sleep. Be a smart consumer, read labels, and choose wisely!

Game: Caffeine Crash Course

Objective

To quickly review and reinforce knowledge about caffeine content in different drinks and its effects.

Materials

• Small whiteboards or paper for each student/team
• Markers
• A list of drinks with varying caffeine levels (provided below)
• Answer Key (for teacher)

Setup

Divide the class into small teams (2-3 students) or have them play individually. Each team/student needs a whiteboard or piece of paper and a marker.

How to Play

1. Teacher Reads Drink: The teacher will read out the name of a drink.
2. Students Guess Caffeine Level: Students/teams will quickly (within 10-15 seconds) write down whether they think the drink has:
   • HIGH caffeine
   • MEDIUM caffeine
   • LOW caffeine
   • NO caffeine
     They should also briefly note one potential effect of caffeine if they believe the drink contains it.
3. Reveal and Score: The teacher will then reveal the actual caffeine level and a key effect. Teams/students who correctly identified the caffeine level get 1 point. If they also named a correct effect, they get an bonus point.
4. Discussion: Briefly discuss why the caffeine level is what it is, and reiterate the effects. (e.g., "Energy drinks have HIGH caffeine because they are designed to give a big energy boost, which can lead to jitters.")
5. Continue: Play through 5-7 rounds, depending on time.

Drink List & Answers (Teacher Key)

Winning

The team/student with the most points at the end of the game wins!

Answer Key: Drink Decoder Challenge & Caffeine Crash Course

Part 1: Sugar Cube Stacking Activity - Answers

Note: One sugar cube = 1 teaspoon = 4 grams of sugar.

Reflection Questions (Sample Answers):

1. Which drink had the most sugar? Were you surprised by this?
   The can of soda had the most sugar (10 cubes). Students may or may not be surprised, depending on their prior knowledge. Discuss the visual impact.
   
   
   

2. Why is it helpful to see the amount of sugar instead of just reading a number?
   Seeing the actual sugar cubes makes the amount more tangible and understandable. It helps visualize how much sugar is truly in the drink, which can be more impactful than just a number.
   
   
   

3. What do you think are some healthy alternatives to drinks with a lot of added sugar?
   Healthy alternatives include water, unsweetened sparkling water, milk, or small amounts of 100% juice diluted with water.
   
   
   

Part 2: Caffeine Awareness - Answers

1. What is caffeine and what does it do to your body?
   Caffeine is a natural stimulant that affects the brain and nervous system, making you feel more awake, alert, and focused.
   
   
   

2. List two drinks that typically contain caffeine.
   Examples: Coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, hot chocolate.
   
   
   

3. Why should children and teens be careful about consuming too much caffeine?
   Children and teens are more sensitive to caffeine. Too much can cause jitters, nervousness, trouble sleeping, upset stomachs, headaches, or even lead to dependence.
   
   
   

Cool-Down: Smart Sips Pledge

Note: This is an open-response reflection question. Look for thoughtful responses where students commit to a realistic change in their drink choices based on the lesson's content. Examples might include: "I will try to drink more water instead of soda," or "I will check the sugar label on my juice."

Game: Caffeine Crash Course - Answer Key