Pinckney Elementary sixth-grader Shante Dillon casts an expression of disbelief as she listens to guest speaker Marianne Middleton of Lawrence Memorial Hospital's Sleep Center explain that kids her age should be getting XX hours of sleep each night. Sixth-grader Calvin Abbott, left, fills out a personal sleep chart to document his sleep over the weekend. Middleton's visit was in conjunction with the National Sleep Foundation's effort to educate young people about the importance of getting enough sleep.

Marianne Middleton, who coordinates an area sleep lab, disappointed 24 Pinckney School sixth-graders on Friday when she gave them scathing news about their favorite caffeine-loaded soft drink.

“If you drink Mountain Dew, that’s worth two Cokes,” Middleton said of the amount of caffeine in the drinks.

Groans of “What?” and “Oh no, I’m in trouble” filled teacher Mary Fulbright’s science classroom.

Middleton visited two Pinckney science classes Friday as part of National Sleep Awareness Week, which was March 27 through April 2. She instructed them on how to keep track of their caffeine and sleep habits for the next week.

Middleton is the clinical coordinator for Lawrence Memorial Hospital’s Sleep Center, which serves about 90 patients per month.

Middleton gave sleep diaries to the sixth-graders. They will keep track of their sleep, caffeine-consumption habits and before-bed activities every day. After a week, Middleton will return and collect the diaries.

It is more of an educational exercise than a research project, she said.

The students’ packets gave them tips on how to sleep effectively for 10-11 hours per night, which is the suggested rest time for a 5- to 12-year-old, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Nationally, about one-third of children in that age group sleep less than seven hours per night, Middleton said.

Students who sleep the recommended amount will be healthier and more attentive at school, she said.

“If you get too much caffeine, you are going to stay awake,” Middleton told the Pinckney students.

Pinckney Elementary guest Marianne Middleton of Lawrence Memorial Hospital's Sleep Center answers questions from sixth graders to help troubleshoot some of their sleeping difficulties.

She also advised them to go to bed at the same time every night and have a light snack or a glass of warm milk before bed if they are hungry.

“Sometimes your grumbling stomach will wake you up,” she said.

Student Kelsey Cole has already done this exercise. She kept track of her sleep habits during an asthma camp. She said the diary was fun and it helped her examine her daily habits.

Kelsey said her classmates also would benefit from the diaries.

“It’s showing them what is really working,” she said.

Middleton hopes the diaries will teach the sixth-graders about healthy sleep habits before they move on to junior high and high school, when they will likely become busier and have more activities during the morning and evening hours in addition to their homework.

“The older they get, the worse it gets,” Middleton said.