Lesson Plan
Fueling Our Superpowers
Students will be able to identify and categorize healthy choices in food, physical activity, and personal hygiene.
Making healthy choices everyday helps us feel energetic, stay strong, focus better in school, and keep our bodies healthy for a long time. It's like giving our bodies superpowers!
Audience
2nd Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, sorting activity, and a reflective cool-down.
Materials
Smartboard or projector, Fueling Our Superpowers Slide Deck, Healthy Choices Sorting Cards, and Healthy Habits Cool Down
Prep
Gather Materials & Review
10 minutes
- Review the Fueling Our Superpowers Slide Deck and ensure the projector/smartboard is ready.
- Print and cut out the Healthy Choices Sorting Cards. It's recommended to laminate them for future use.
- Print copies of the Healthy Habits Cool Down worksheet, one for each student.
- Ensure markers or pencils are available for students.
- Arrange desks or clear a space for a group sorting activity.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What Gives You Energy?
5 minutes
- Begin with a quick class discussion. Ask students: 'What are some things you do that make you feel strong and full of energy?'
- Prompt them to think about food, playing, and even getting enough rest. Write their ideas on the board or a chart paper.
- Introduce the lesson by saying, 'Today, we're going to explore how we can be superheroes of our own bodies by making healthy choices!'
- Transition to the Fueling Our Superpowers Slide Deck.
Step 2
Introduction to Healthy Choices (Slide Deck Guided Discussion)
10 minutes
- Present the Fueling Our Superpowers Slide Deck (Slides 1-5).
- Slide 1: Title Slide. Briefly explain the 'superpowers' concept – how healthy choices make us feel amazing.
- Slide 2: Healthy Foods. Discuss examples of healthy foods. Ask students to share their favorite healthy snacks. Guide them to understand 'Go Foods' (fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins) vs. 'Slow Foods' (processed snacks, sugary drinks, high-fat foods in moderation).
- Slide 3: Active Bodies. Talk about different ways to be active. Ask students what games they like to play outside or sports they enjoy. Emphasize that movement is good for our hearts and muscles.
- Slide 4: Happy Habits. Cover hygiene (washing hands, brushing teeth) and sleep. Explain why these are important for staying healthy and strong.
- Slide 5: Why is it important? Briefly summarize the benefits discussed earlier.
Step 3
Activity: Healthy Choices Sorting Game
10 minutes
- Divide the class into small groups (3-4 students per group) or do this as a whole-class activity using a projector.
- Distribute the Healthy Choices Sorting Cards to each group.
- Instruct students to sort the cards into two categories: 'Healthy Choices' and 'Not-So-Healthy Choices.'
- Circulate among groups, providing guidance and prompting discussion about why certain choices fit into each category.
- After sorting, bring the class back together. Review a few cards as a whole group, discussing any disagreements or interesting points students raise. Emphasize that sometimes 'not-so-healthy' foods are okay in moderation, but healthy choices should be our main focus.
Step 4
Cool-Down: My Healthy Habits Reflection
5 minutes
- Distribute the Healthy Habits Cool Down worksheet.
- Ask students to complete the worksheet individually, drawing or writing one healthy food choice, one active play idea, and one good habit they will try to do more of.
- Collect the cool-down slips as an exit ticket to informally assess understanding.
- Conclude by reiterating the main message: 'You all have the power to make great choices for your bodies! Keep fueling your superpowers!'
Slide Deck
Fueling Our Superpowers!
How can you be a body superhero?
Welcome students and introduce the exciting idea that they can be 'superheroes' of their own bodies by making good choices. Explain that today we'll learn what those choices are.
Healthy Foods: Go Power!
What foods help us grow strong and have energy?
- Fruits & Veggies
- Whole Grains
- Lean Proteins
Sometimes Foods: enjoy in small amounts!
Discuss healthy foods. Use simple language to explain 'Go Foods' (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins) that give us lasting energy, and 'Slow Foods' (sweets, chips) that are okay sometimes but not for every meal. Ask for student examples.
Active Bodies: Move Your Body!
How can we keep our bodies moving and strong?
- Playing outside
- Running, jumping, dancing
- Sports and games
- Walking & Biking
Talk about the importance of moving our bodies. Ask students about their favorite ways to play and be active. Emphasize that all kinds of movement count!
Happy Habits: Super Routine!
What other habits keep us healthy and happy?
- Washing hands
- Brushing teeth
- Getting enough sleep (9-11 hours for you!)
Explain why good habits like washing hands, brushing teeth, and getting enough sleep are crucial for health. Relate it back to feeling good and having energy.
Why Is It Important?
Making healthy choices helps us to:
- Have lots of energy!
- Stay strong and active!
- Think clearly!
- Feel happy!
Summarize the main benefits of making healthy choices: more energy, stronger bodies, and feeling happier overall. Encourage students to think about one healthy choice they can make today.
Activity
Healthy Choices Sorting Cards
Instructions: Cut out each card below. Work with your group to sort the cards into two piles: "Healthy Choices" and "Not-So-Healthy Choices."
Cut-Out Cards
Eat an apple
Drink soda
Play tag outside
Watch TV for a long time
Wash your hands
Stay up very late
Brush your teeth
Eat a cookie for breakfast
---\n
Eat broccoli
Drink water
Run around in the park
Eat lots of candy
Go to bed on time
Eat a greasy burger and fries every day
Help clean your room
Read a book instead of playing outside (for too long)
Cool Down
Healthy Habits Cool Down
Think about what we learned today about fueling our superpowers!
-
Draw or write one healthy food you like to eat (or want to try!):
-
Draw or write one way you like to be active and play:
-
Draw or write one good habit you will try to do more of (like washing hands, brushing teeth, or sleeping well):
Answer Key
Healthy Choices Sorting Cards Answer Key
Here are the correct categories for the sorting cards:
Healthy Choices
- Eat an apple
- Play tag outside
- Wash your hands
- Brush your teeth
- Eat broccoli
- Drink water
- Run around in the park
- Go to bed on time
- Help clean your room
Not-So-Healthy Choices (Okay in Moderation)
- Drink soda
- Watch TV for a long time
- Stay up very late
- Eat a cookie for breakfast
- Eat lots of candy
- Eat a greasy burger and fries every day
- Read a book instead of playing outside (for too long)
Note to Teacher: While some items in the "Not-So-Healthy Choices" category aren't inherently bad (like reading a book), the context in which they are presented on the cards implies an imbalance or excess that makes them less healthy than other choices for active 2nd graders.