Activity Title - "Food for Thought"

Goal/Objective

Students will design a one-day menu which meets the requirements of the U.S.D.A.'s Food Pyramid's guidelines and be able to provide an alternative food item for 3 different food groups.

Lesson Outline

Students will apply nutrition information in developing a healthful "one-day" menu.

Introduction

Introduce the U.S.D.A. Food Pyramid's guidelines for healthy diets and distribute brochures for reading. Students make a list of unfamiliar terms and record their meanings from the glossary.

Activity

Instructor dialogues with students to create a composite list of unfamiliar terms and discusses the meaning of each. Students work with partners to develop a "one-day" menu that meets the criteria of the Food Pyramid, labeling each item by food group. They will also follow instructions to provide alternatives for food items in 3 different food groups.

Debriefing/Evaluation Activity

Teacher elicits responses regarding the variety of menus prepared.

Materials, Texts, Realia, Handouts

Extension Activity

Have students make a grocery list for a family of four, based on their "one-day" menu, which includes the 3 alternative food items.

ESE Accommodations

Real-Life Connection

Each day we make for ourselves - and sometimes others - food choices that affect health.

Activity Title - "Food for Thought"

Introduction

Say: Today I have brought each of you a brochure, developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about the Food Pyramid, which divides foods into six groups and shows recommended daily servings of each. As you read the brochure, make a list of unfamiliar terms and use the glossary to record their meanings. You will have 15 min. to do this assignment.

Main Activity

Instructor dialogues with students to create a composite word list of unfamiliar terms on the board and discusses and expands the meaning of each.

Say: Choose a partner and work with him or her to develop a "one-day" menu (3-meal and snacks) that will meet the criteria of the Food Pyramid. Record your menu and indicate the "food group" under which each food item falls. At the bottom of your menu suggest alternative food items from 3 separate food groups. You will have 20 minutes to complete this activity.

Closure/Conclusion

Say: Tomorrow we will compare menus and discover the variety of possible food items that can be included in a daily diet, while still satisfying the food pyramid guidelines.

Follow-up lessons/Activities

Teacher leads discussion about food aversions and food allergies that must also be taken into account when preparing menus.