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

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction to Calories & Formula

5 minutes

Step 2

Guided Example

8 minutes

Step 3

Independent Practice

7 minutes

Step 4

Quick Assessment

5 minutes

Slide Deck

Energy Equation: Calculating Your Daily Calories

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?

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)

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

Activity Multipliers

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

Total Calories & Worked Example

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

Your Turn: Calculate Your Calories

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

Lesson Plan

Calorie Calculation Guide

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

Step 1

Introduction to Calories & Formula

Step 2

Guided Example

Step 3

Independent Practice

Step 4

Quick Assessment

Slide Deck

Energy Equation: Calculating Your Daily Calories

What Is a Calorie?

Base Metabolic Rate (BMR)

Activity Multipliers

Total Calories & Worked Example

Your Turn: Calculate Your Calories

Worksheet

Quiz

Energy Equation Check

Energy Equation

Lori Danko