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What Moves You?

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Lesson Plan

Activity and Nutrition Match-Up

Students will explore different physical activities and learn the nutritional demands required to fuel each, then match activities to proper fueling strategies.

Understanding how nutrition supports physical activity empowers students to make informed choices that enhance energy, performance, and overall wellness.

Audience

6th Grade Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive slides, matching game, bingo, and reflection.

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up and Introduction

5 minutes

  • Pose the question: “What’s your favorite physical activity and why?”
  • Record student responses on chart paper
  • Share the lesson objective: matching activities to their nutrition demands
  • Display the first slide of Movement Variety Slides

Step 2

Movement Variety Exploration

10 minutes

  • Advance through each slide in Movement Variety Slides showcasing a different activity
  • Invite volunteers to demonstrate each movement briefly
  • Prompt discussion: What fuels your body when you do this activity?
  • Note key energy demands (endurance, strength, quick bursts)

Step 3

Activity & Nutrition Match-Up Game

10 minutes

  • Pair up students and distribute one set of Activity & Nutrition Matching Cards per pair
  • Instruct pairs to match each physical activity card with a recommended fueling strategy card
  • Circulate and support pairs as needed
  • Ask 2–3 pairs to share one match and explain their reasoning

Step 4

Fuel & Move Bingo

15 minutes

  • Hand out a Fuel & Move Bingo board and markers to each student
  • Call out different activities or fueling tips; students mark matching squares
  • Encourage discussion when lines are achieved
  • Award a small prize or recognition to first Bingo winners

Step 5

Cool-Down Reflection

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Nutrition Reflection Exit Ticket
  • Prompt students to write one thing they learned about fueling their favorite activity and one question they still have
  • Collect tickets to assess understanding
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Slide Deck

Movement Variety: Fueling Our Bodies

Today we’ll look at five different activities. For each:
• Identify the main energy demand (endurance, strength, quick bursts)
• Think: What foods or nutrients would fuel you best?

Introduce the purpose of this mini-tour: exploring different physical activities and thinking about what fuels them. Remind students to notice the energy demands (endurance, strength, quick bursts) as you go through each slide.

Running (Endurance)

• Activity: Continuous jogging or long-distance running
• Energy Demand: Aerobic endurance

Question: What foods give you sustained energy for a long run?

Show the image of a runner in motion (insert photo or clip-art). Ask: What fuels your body to keep running at a steady pace? Lead students to discuss carbohydrates and hydration.

Jumping Rope (Mixed Demand)

• Activity: Fast, repeated jumps
• Energy Demand: Quick bursts + moderate endurance

Question: Which snacks or drinks help you power each jump?

Show the image of someone jumping rope. Explain that jump rope mixes short bursts with steady pace. Ask students to identify both quick and sustained fueling needs.

Weightlifting (Strength)

• Activity: Lifting heavy weights or resistance training
• Energy Demand: Muscle strength & recovery

Question: Which nutrient is key for building and repairing muscles?

Display a photo of weightlifting. Clarify that strength activities rely on muscle repair and recovery nutrients. Ask: What nutrient helps build your muscles?

Swimming (Endurance + Strength)

• Activity: Continuous strokes and resistance against water
• Energy Demand: Combination of endurance & strength

Question: How would you plan a meal before a swim practice?

Show a scene of a swimmer in action. Highlight that swimming uses both strength and endurance. Ask students to think of a balanced fueling plan.

Reflect & Discuss

• Which activity seemed to need the most endurance?
• Which activity needed quick bursts of energy?
• Which would need extra protein?

Get ready to match activities with fueling strategies!

Wrap up the exploration. Encourage students to compare demands across activities and preview the matching game next.

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Game

Fuel & Move Bingo Instructions

Materials:

  • Fuel & Move Bingo board (5×5 grid) for each student
  • Markers or bingo chips
  • List of call-out items (activities & fueling tips)

How to Play:

  1. Give each student a bingo board with a random mix of 25 items—physical activities (e.g., Running, Jumping Rope, Weightlifting) and fueling strategies (e.g., Drink Water, Eat a Protein Snack).
  2. Explain that you will call out one item at a time. If students have that item on their board, they mark it.
  3. The first student to mark four in a row (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) calls out “Bingo!”
  4. Check the student’s marked items against the call-out list. If correct, award a small prize or recognition.
  5. Continue playing for a second or third winner if time allows.

Call-Out Items (Examples):

  • Running
  • Jumping Rope
  • Weightlifting
  • Swimming
  • Soccer
  • Dance
  • Cycling
  • Yoga
  • Drink Water
  • Eat a Carbohydrate-Rich Snack
  • Have a Protein Bar
  • Enjoy Fresh Fruit
  • Include Whole Grains
  • Add Healthy Fats
  • Snack on Yogurt
  • Meal with Lean Protein
  • Hydrate with a Sports Drink
  • Eat Vegetables
  • Make a Smoothie
  • Complex Carbohydrates
  • Quick Energy Foods
  • Fuel Before Endurance
  • Recover with Protein
  • Balanced Pre-Workout Meal
  • Hydrate Before Activity
  • Snack Post-Activity
  • Steady Energy Foods
  • Quick Burst Energy Foods
  • Plan a Balanced Meal





Nutrition Reflection Exit Ticket

Distribute one exit ticket per student and ask them to respond:

  1. One thing I learned today about fueling my favorite activity is:











  2. One question I still have about nutrition and physical activity is:












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Worksheet

Activity & Nutrition Matching Cards

Instructions: Cut out each card along the dashed lines. Then, match each physical activity card with the fueling strategy card you think fits best. Glue or tape your matches side by side on a separate sheet.


Activity Cards

Running

Jumping Rope

Weightlifting

Swimming

Cycling

Soccer

Dance

Yoga


Nutrition Strategy Cards

Eat a carbohydrate-rich snack before and during endurance activities.

Snack on a quick energy food (e.g., a banana) for bursts of energy.

Have a protein-rich meal or snack after strength activities to support muscle repair.

Plan a balanced meal with carbs and protein before swimming practice.

Drink water regularly to stay hydrated during long cycling rides.

Hydrate with a sports drink to replace electrolytes during soccer play.

Include complex carbohydrates for steady energy during dance.

Add healthy fats (e.g., nuts or avocado) for sustained focus in yoga.

Activity & Nutrition Matching Cards | Cut, Match, and Learn!

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