4 Fun and Easy Ways to Teach Elementary Students About Healthy Eating
/This post is quite late as we look at healthy eating earlier in the school year. It's one of my favourite units to teach because I am able to effect change when it comes to eating habits for my students AND their families.
I must say, I LOVE chocolate! It's my weakness...now I want some! Anyway, just this week I had a student tell me that they don't like chocolate. I was stunned and asked why. He responded, "I don't like chocolate because it's not healthy. I like healthy food like apples." Preventing childhood obesity, one kid at a time!!
During a parent-teacher interview, a parent asked me how to make popcorn on the stove because she made microwave popcorn and her son refused to eat it because, "Ms. Brown says popcorn at the movie theatres and microwave popcorn isn't a healthy choice, it's healthier if you make it yourself ." Priceless!! The best part about that is the student is really shy and quiet and is new to Canada and doesn't have an extensive vocabulary, but he's taking it all in! In case you're interested, here is a recipe for the stovetop and one for the microwave. I've also made it in a brown paper bag in the microwave.
Book
Just Try One Bite
Author: Adam Mansbach and Camila Alves McConaughey
Illustrator: Mike Boldt
A healthy reading story with a twist! This time it’s the children trying to persuade their parents to eat healthy foods. It’s written in rhyme, however the rhyming scheme is a little off. The illustrations however are fantastic!
Video
Catchy songs make learning fun and memorable for elementary students. The rhythm and repetition help reinforce content, making it easier for kids to remember important information. Listen to the Nutrition Song by the Learning Station below or Jack Hartmann's Good Foods video.
Digital Activities
This Healthy or Not activity is a simple and engaging way to review healthy and less healthy foods. After viewing the food item, have students decide whether it's a healthy choice or something that should be limited in our diets. The correct answer will be revealed on the slide.
These Name That Food Group PowerPoint activities are a way to review learning about the groups of foods recommended by Canada’s Food Guide and USDA's My Plate program.
Healthy and Unhealthy Sort
I'd like to share a healthy/unhealthy sorting mat that I have my students complete. I request grocery store flyers from families or just save up a bunch over the weeks. The kids cut and paste foods into the two categories. The brand recognition is amazing! They clearly come across a lot of environmental print. You can get a copy of the sorting mat {here} for free. I used fonts from Kimberly Geswein.
You can get a copy of the sorting mat {here} for free. I used fonts from Kimberly Geswein.
The sorting mat is part of a healthy eating resource that I have posted in my TPT store and BP Shop. Click on the images to check them out!
