Go back See all

    Diabetes

    from
    Assign Activity

    Subject: Science

    Lesson Length: 45 minutes - 1 hour

    Topic: Managing Diabetes

    Grade Level: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

    Standards / Framework:

    Brief Description: Use this to lesson to introduce students to diabetes and strategies for maintaining good health.

    Know Before You Start: Given the prevalence of diabetes, this lesson should be implemented with sensitivity.

    Hook:

    • Ask the whole class the following questions:
      • Do you know someone with diabetes?
      • What is diabetes?
      • How does it affect this person?
    • Explain that diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders affecting 34.2 million Americans, including children and adolescents. The condition affects how one’s body processes food into energy.

    Activity:

    • Working in groups, have students research different aspects of diabetes including the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, the characteristics of each type, the risks associated with Type 2 diabetes, symptoms, and things that can be done to maintain good health.
    • Ask each group to share their findings with the class.
    • Have students create a three-panel comic demonstrating their understanding of the everyday choices they can make to help keep their blood sugar at normal levels.
      • How does exercise help them?
      • What foods are part of their plan?
      • How can they recognize low blood sugar?

    Closure:

    • Set up a gallery walk so that students can view and discuss the comics.
    • Point out that eating right and regular exercise are important for everyone, but especially for people managing diabetes.

    Differentiation:

    • Allow students to use the speech-to-text feature.
    • Allow students to use the voiceover feature to read their comics aloud.
    • Allow students to create a comic based on a specific aspect of diabetes such as symptoms or the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

    Resources:

    Suggested Content Packs:

    Assign Activity

    Related Ideas

    Sequencing Time and Events

    Students will use sequence words to describe the order of events in a story when speaking and writing.

    Actually Fake News

    These days, we are burdened with the task of filtering out this “noise” so that we can get to the heart of matters and not be distracted by loud, preference-driven commentary. Use this lesson to promote critical thinking and introspection among your students.

    Desert Island

    Consider the classic question, "Who or what would you take with you if you were stranded on a desert island?" with your students. Encourage students to apply their critical-thinking and problem-solving skills to ensure their survival.