Sample lesson: Sugar Detectives
Here is what a lesson in the program looks like, start to finish. About 15 minutes, no prep beyond a printout.
Written from AAP, federal and National Academies guidance and checked against each source. Medical review by a pediatric registered dietitian is in progress. Updated November 2026.
This lesson is a working draft from the program, shown so you can see the format. Final materials will change after review. The drinks on the label cards are made up, so the lesson never points at a real brand.
The goal
By the end, kids can find the sugar on a drink label, turn grams into teaspoons by dividing by 4, and name water as the drink to reach for first.
Lesson at a glance
- Minutes 0 to 2: HookHold up a spoon. "Detectives, today's mystery: how much sugar hides in a drink?"
- Minutes 2 to 4: Meet DripPlay the 90-second Drip video (script below).
- Minutes 4 to 6: Teach the trickOn the board: sugar grams ÷ 4 = teaspoons. Do one together.
- Minutes 6 to 12: Detective workPairs get a label card, find Added Sugars, and spoon out that many teaspoons into a cup.
- Minutes 12 to 15: Wrap-upCompare cups. Ask the discussion questions. Send the take-home sheet.
Label cards (made-up drinks)
Print these or write them on index cards. Every number divides cleanly, so kids can do it in their heads.
| Card | Serving | Added sugars | Teaspoons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Splash Water | 12 fl oz | 0 g | 0 |
| Fizzy Pop | 12 fl oz | 40 g | 10 |
| Berry Blast Drink | 10 fl oz | 28 g | 7 |
| Power Up Sports Drink | 20 fl oz | 32 g | 8 |
| Sunny Lemonade | 12 fl oz | 24 g | 6 |
One level teaspoon of sugar is about 4 grams. Real drinks vary by brand, so for real products use the label checker.
Teacher script
Discussion questions
- Which card had the most sugar? Which had none?
- Health groups say kids should have less than 6 teaspoons of added sugar in a whole day. How does your cup compare?4
- Which drink could you pick at lunch if you want your body to feel good?
- Where else could you use the detective trick? (Cereal, yogurt, juice boxes.)
Adapting it
- Kindergarten to grade 2: skip the division. Give each pair a card that already says the number of teaspoons, and have them scoop it out and count.
- Grades 4 to 5: add the ingredient list. Have kids circle every sugar name (corn syrup, cane juice, dextrose) and notice where it sits in the list.
Teacher notes
- Frame drinks as "everyday" and "sometimes," not "good" and "bad." Kids shouldn't feel shame about what's at home.
- Don't taste or share the sugar. Use a clean, dedicated spoon and dispose of it after.
- Skip any talk of weight or body size. The lesson is about reading labels and choosing water.
Sample Drip video script (90 seconds)
Drip is a water drop who is always thirsty for adventure. Final artwork and voice are still in development.