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Fueling Our Bodies!

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Lesson Plan

Fueling Our Bodies!

The student will understand that different foods provide various types of 'fuel' for their body and will explore strategies for accepting and making the most of the food options available to them, including how to feel satisfied with what is offered and communicate needs constructively.

Understanding how to effectively choose and accept available food options is important for managing expectations and reducing frustration, especially during meal times. This personalized lesson will empower the student to recognize the role different foods play in providing energy and to develop strategies for feeling fueled and satisfied within the provided choices.

Audience

Individual 4th Grade Student

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Personalized discussion and a reflective activity.

Materials

Fueling Our Bodies! Slide Deck, and My Fuel Plate Worksheet

Prep

Preparation Steps

15 minutes

  • Review the Fueling Our Bodies! Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content and teacher notes.
    - Print a copy of the My Fuel Plate Worksheet for the student.
    - Gather drawing supplies (crayons, colored pencils) for the activity.
    - Ensure projector or interactive whiteboard is ready for the slide deck (or prepare to share on a tablet/computer for one-on-one).

Step 1

Introduction: What Fuels Us?

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking the student what they think 'fuel' means for a car or a rocket. (Expected answers: gas, energy to make it go).
    - Transition to asking: 'What do we use as fuel? What makes your body go?' (Expected answers: food, water, different kinds of food).
    - Introduce the concept that all food provides our body with some kind of fuel, giving us energy to learn, play, and grow. Show the first few slides of the Fueling Our Bodies! Slide Deck, tailoring the discussion to the student's personal experiences and preferences where appropriate.

Step 2

Exploring Different Fuels & Satisfaction

10 minutes

  • Use the Fueling Our Bodies! Slide Deck to discuss how different types of foods provide different kinds of energy and satisfaction. Focus on understanding the variety of foods available and how they contribute to feeling full and energized.
    - Engage the student with questions like: 'What are some foods that make you feel strong? What foods help you feel full?' Pay close attention to their responses regarding preferred foods and those they might typically leave behind.
    - Emphasize that all foods offer something to our bodies, and that learning to accept and try the foods offered can help them feel more content and energetic throughout the day. Connect this to their personal situation regarding mealtime choices and feeling hungry, discussing ways to feel satisfied with the current options or pre-arranged supplements (like the extra preferred snacks).

Step 3

My Fuel Plate Activity

10 minutes

  • Hand out the My Fuel Plate Worksheet.
    - Explain the activity: The student will draw or write foods they enjoy and foods they receive at school in the different sections of their 'fuel plate,' aiming to recognize all foods as fuel. Encourage them to think about how different foods contribute to their energy.
    - Work with the student, offering support and encouraging them to think about how different foods make them feel and how accepting the variety of foods offered can contribute to their energy.
    - Remind them that it's okay to have favorite foods, and it's also helpful to appreciate and accept the foods that are provided to get all the energy their body needs. Discuss the idea of bringing preferred snacks from home as a supplement, connecting it to the 'Foods I Get Energy From' and 'Foods I Will Accept' sections if applicable.

Step 4

Wrap-up and Reflection

5 minutes

  • Bring the discussion to a close.
    - Ask the student to share one new thing they learned about food as fuel, or one food they might try to accept more readily.
    - Reinforce the idea that all foods help their body stay strong and energetic, and that making thoughtful choices about what's available is a skill they can practice.
    - Conclude by saying: 'Remember, every time you eat, you're choosing the fuel for your amazing body! We can work together to find ways to make sure you feel fueled and happy, making the most of the foods you have.'
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Slide Deck

What Fuels You?

What makes a car go? What makes a rocket launch?
What makes your body go?

Greet the student and start with an engaging question to activate prior knowledge.

Food is Our Fuel!

All food gives us:

  • Energy to run, jump, and play!
  • Power to think and learn!
  • Strength to grow big and strong!

Explain that all food provides our bodies with fuel, giving us energy to learn, play, and grow!

Making the Most of Our Fuel!

Imagine your plate is full of different kinds of fuel!
Each food helps you in a special way!

Introduce the idea that different foods do different jobs to fuel our bodies. Emphasize that making the most of the foods we have helps us feel good.

Fruits: Quick Energy!

Fruits give us quick energy to play and feel good.
Examples: Apples, bananas, oranges, berries.

Discuss how fruits provide quick energy and can be tasty.

Veggies: Keep You Strong!

Vegetables help us stay strong and can make us feel full.
Examples: Carrots, broccoli, spinach, bell peppers.

Discuss how vegetables contribute to overall well-being and can be satisfying.

Grains: Long-Lasting Power!

Grains give us steady energy to learn and focus.
Examples: Bread, rice, pasta, oatmeal.

Discuss how grains provide sustained energy.

Protein: Building Blocks & Fullness!

Protein helps our muscles grow and helps us feel full.
Examples: Chicken, beans, eggs, nuts.

Discuss how protein helps with growth and feeling full.

Dairy: Strong Bones & Fuel!

Dairy helps make our bones and teeth strong, and gives us energy too.
Examples: Milk, yogurt, cheese.

Discuss how dairy strengthens bones and can be a good source of energy.

My Fuel Plate Exploration!

Time to think about the fuel you have on your plate!
Let's explore all the ways food helps you!

Transition to the worksheet activity. Emphasize that it's about exploring food and accepting what's offered.

Accept Your Fuel Wisely!

Every bite is fuel for your body.
Let's learn to enjoy and accept the foods that are offered, and fuel your amazing self!

Final thought: reiterate the importance of making the most of available foods and feeling good about choices.

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Worksheet

My Fuel Plate Exploration!

Your body is amazing, and it needs great fuel to run, learn, and play! Imagine your plate is a power-up station. Let's think about all the foods that give you energy and help you!

Instructions:

  1. Draw or write foods you enjoy eating that you get at school in the different sections of the plate below. Think about how these foods give you energy.
  2. In the 'Foods I Get Energy From' section, list foods you eat that make you feel good and strong.
  3. In the 'Foods I Will Accept' section, think about foods you sometimes leave behind, and consider one or two you might be willing to try or eat more of in the future!

My School Fuel Plate

Draw the foods you typically get at school here! Remember, all foods can be fuel.













Foods I Get Energy From

List some of your favorite foods from different groups that give you energy and make you feel strong!










Foods I Will Accept

What are some foods offered to you that you might try to accept or eat more of in the future? It's good to try new things and make the most of what's available!










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