Healthy Food, Healthy Body

Grades: 
K, 1, 2

In this lesson, the children identify foods to eat each day and foods that should be eaten in small amounts. They learn about healthy habits and healthy communities where all people have nutritious food. 

Duration 
PrintOne 45-Minute Session
Objectives 

The learner will:

  • define healthy food and sort a variety of foods into categories.
  • state that healthy food is important to all people.
Materials 
  • Magazines
  • read-aloud book about healthy foods (see Bibliography)
Bibliography 
  • Berger, Melvin. You Are What You Eat. Massachusetts: Newbridge Educational Publishing, 1996. 
  • Leedy, Loreen. The Edible Pyramid: Good Eating Every Day. Scott Foresman, 1996. ISBN: 0823412334
  • Rockwell, Lizzy. Good Enough to Eat. New York: Harper Collins, 2000. ISBN: 0064451747

Food in cultural traditions:

Instructions

Print
  1. Anticipatory Set:

    Display a picture of a healthy plate of balanced food groups, especially showing lots of vegetables. Ask, "why is it important for each of us to eat healthy foods?" Talk about the variety of foods and nutrition they get from each type of food. Note that there are many ways to get nutrition in their diet. Ask them to name their favorite food that adds vegetables (or protein or grains) to their diet. 

  2. Read a book about eating healthy (see Bibliography). 

  3. Say, "Eating healthy requires time and money. Sometimes it is easier to eat something quick and unhealthy, like chips or cookies." Talk about choice and responsible decision making for oneself. Talk about how sometimes we don't have what we want and need, and philanthropists in the community help make sure peopl;e have what they need. 

    Ask, "Why do you think it might be important for us to think about the health and nutrition of the whole community, not just ourselves?" Talk about how a community of people are all in this together. For our community to be healthy, each person needs to have the best chances. 

  4. Introduce the children to a community resource that provides food (food pantry) or meals (soup kitchen) to people to make sure they have healthy choices in their lives. Listen to a presentation or guest speaker to learn more about what they do and what we can do to volunteer our time to promote community wellness. As young people, we can talk about their work, make posters, design a fundraiser, or donate food. 

Philanthropy Framework

  1. Strand PHIL.I Definitions of Philanthropy
    1. Standard DP 02. Roles of Government, Business, and Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark E.2 Explain the difference between wants and needs.
  2. Strand PHIL.II Philanthropy and Civil Society
    1. Standard PCS 02. Diverse Cultures
      1. Benchmark E.4 Demonstrate listening skills.
    2. Standard PCS 03. Philanthropy and Economics
      1. Benchmark E.3 Give examples of <i>opportunity cost</i> in philanthropic giving.