Objectives:

• Students will use a Sleep Diary to record their sleeping hours and their energy levels each morning.
• Students will discuss whether they see a connection between the number of hours they sleep each night and their energy levels.
• Students will discuss potential influences on the quality and quantity of their sleep.
• Students will understand that getting at least nine hours of sleep each night on a consistent basis is appropriate for children their age.

Standards:

• Understands the importance of rest, food choices, exercise, sleep, and recreation on a person's well-being. (McREL)
• Understands and demonstrates ways in which his or her health and well-being can be enhanced and maintained. (National Health Education Standards)

Materials:

• Poster board, marker, and a ruler
• Crayons and scissors
• Push pins or tape

Procedures:

1. Using the poster board, create a Sleep Meter and an Energy Meter and hang them on your classroom wall. Sample meters are available by clicking the printables box on this page.
2. Distribute the large "Zs". Sample Zs are available by printing the printables box on this page for the class – at least ten for each student – then have the students use scissors to cut them out. Students can color and design their "Z" so that it is identifiable once placed on the Meter.
3. Give each student a Sleep Diary. A sample Sleep Diary is available by clicking on the printables box on this page. Discuss the information requested – hours of sleep and energy level. You may want to review time measurement so that students can accurately record their sleep hours. You should also discuss the term "energy level" to ensure that students know precisely what it means.
4. Ask students to take their Sleep Diaries home and answer the questions each morning. When they come into class each day, ask students to take one of the cut-out "Zs" and use tape or a push pin to place it at the level on the class Sleep Meter that corresponds with the number of hours of sleep they got the night before. Have students do the same thing with the Energy Meter.
5. At the end of the week, use the questions below to lead a discussion about the sleep data that students have collected.

Discussion Questions:

1. Some nights, you had more sleep than other nights, and some mornings you had more energy than other mornings – what does that make you think? Do you see a connection between how long you slept and how much energy you had?
2. Scientists and doctors say that children should get at least nine hours of sleep each night on a consistent basis. Do you think you are getting enough sleep? Why or why not?
3. How well do you do at your favorite activities when you don't have enough energy?
4. What sorts of things can affect how much you sleep?
5. What can you do to make sure that you get enough sleep every night? Should you change your bedtime? Your pillow? Your room? Your eating habits? Your exercise habits?