Peer Feedback Circles Guide

Purpose

Students work in small circles to share label observations, ask clarifying questions, and offer constructive feedback on each other’s concerns before proposing healthier alternatives.

Group Roles (rotate roles each round)

1. Sharer: Presents one key observation from your pair’s label analysis.
2. Questioner: Asks 1–2 open-ended questions to clarify or deepen understanding.
3. Responder/Listener: Offers positive feedback and suggests one improvement or follow-up idea.

Steps & Timing (10 minutes total)

1. Form Circles (1 min)
   Arrange 4–6 students so that two pairs combine into one circle.
2. Round 1 Sharing (3 min)
   - Each Sharer speaks for 30–45 seconds, summarizing their pair’s key concern (e.g., sugar content).
   - Questioner asks one clarifying question (e.g., “How did you calculate sugar per serving?”).
   - Responder offers one piece of positive feedback (e.g., “I like how you noticed fiber content.”).
3. Rotate Roles & Repeat (3 min)
   Switch roles clockwise. Next pair repeats the process.
4. Group Reflection (3 min)
   As a whole circle, discuss:
   • Which observation surprised you most?
   • What question led you to new insights?
   • How might you refine your concern before proposing an alternative?

Discussion Prompts & Sentence Starters

• “I noticed that… because…”
  
  
  
• “Can you explain more about…”
  
  
  
• “What makes you concerned about…”
  
  
  
• “I appreciate how you…”
  
  
  
• “One idea to consider is…”
  
  
  

Tips for Constructive Feedback

• Focus on the label data, not the student.
• Use specific examples (e.g., “12 g sugar per bar stands out”).
• Ask before offering a suggestion: “Would you like a tip on…?”
• Keep comments brief and respectful.

When circles wrap up, return to your pair and integrate any new ideas into your Alternative Proposal Sheet before moving on to the next activity.

Alternative Proposal Sheet

Instructions: Complete this sheet after analyzing food labels in Real Label Examples Slides and discussing observations in Peer Feedback Circles Guide. Use clear, evidence-based reasoning. Compare your final proposal with examples in the Sample Proposals Answer Key after you finish.

1. Label Analysis

Product Name / Label Example:

Serving Size:

Calories per Serving:

Key Nutrients Observed (e.g., sugars, fats, fiber):

Ingredients or Claims That Concern Me:

2. Peer Feedback Integration

One Key Observation from My Pair:

One Piece of Peer Feedback I Received:

3. Proposed Healthier Alternative

Describe your suggested changes (ingredient swaps, portion adjustments, etc.):

4. Evidence-Based Justification

Explain how your proposal improves the product’s nutrition, citing label data:

5. Reflection

What surprised you most during this analysis?

How will you apply this label-reading skill in your daily life?

Sample Proposals Answer Key

This answer key provides three fully developed student examples—one for each label from the Real Label Examples Slides. Each example includes:

1. Label Analysis Summary
2. Proposed Healthier Alternative
3. Evidence-Based Justification
4. Reflection

Example 1: Granola Bar

1. Label Analysis Summary

• Product: Granola Bar (40 g)
• Calories: 180 per bar
• Key Nutrients: Total Sugars = 12 g; Dietary Fiber = 3 g; Total Fat = 7 g
• Concerns: Added sugars appear high relative to fiber; ingredients list shows “sugar,” “corn syrup,” and hydrogenated oils.

2. Proposed Healthier Alternative

• Swap refined sugar and corn syrup with a drizzle of honey or pure maple syrup (reducing added sugar by ~25%).
• Replace hydrogenated oils with a small amount of coconut oil or nut butter (for healthier fats).
• Increase whole‐grain oats and add chopped almonds or walnuts (to boost fiber from 3 g to ~5 g).

3. Evidence-Based Justification

• Reducing added sugars from 12 g to ~9 g lowers sugar intake by 25%, aligning with nutrition guidelines.
• Substituting healthier fats keeps total fat similar (~7 g) but replaces trans fats with medium‐chain triglycerides or monounsaturated fats, which support heart health.
• Boosting fiber to 5 g per bar slows sugar absorption and helps students feel full longer.

4. Reflection

• What surprised you most? The amount of hidden sugars (corn syrup) was higher than expected.
• How will you apply this skill? I will always check the first three ingredients and compare sugar to fiber ratios before buying a snack.

Example 2: Soda

1. Label Analysis Summary

• Product: Regular Soda (12 fl oz)
• Calories: 150 per can
• Key Nutrients: Total Sugars = 39 g (all added sugar); Sodium = 45 mg
• Concerns: Extremely high added sugar; no fiber, protein, or beneficial nutrients.

2. Proposed Healthier Alternative

• Replace soda with carbonated water infused with fresh fruit slices (e.g., lemon, berries).
• If sweetness is desired, add a teaspoon of honey or pure fruit juice (≈5 g sugar) instead of 39 g.

3. Evidence-Based Justification

• Cutting sugar from 39 g to ~5 g reduces sugar intake by 87%, dramatically lowering empty‐calorie consumption.
• Fruit infusion adds flavor, vitamins, and antioxidants without processed sugars.
• Carbonation satisfies the “fizzy” craving without artificial additives.

4. Reflection

• What surprised you most? That one can has more than the daily recommended sugar limit for kids.
• How will you apply this skill? I’ll substitute fizzy drinks with sparkling water and fresh fruit at home.

Example 3: Flavored Yogurt

1. Label Analysis Summary

• Product: Fruit-Flavored Yogurt Cup (150 g)
• Calories: 140 per cup
• Key Nutrients: Total Sugars = 20 g; Protein = 6 g; Fat = 2 g
• Concerns: Sugars include both natural (lactose) and added fruit puree sugars; ingredient list begins with “milk,” but “sugar” appears before fruit puree.

2. Proposed Healthier Alternative

• Choose plain Greek yogurt (no added sugar) for similar protein (10 g) and lower sugar (~6 g lactose).
• Stir in 2 tbsp of fresh berries or chopped fruit (≈5 g natural sugar) and a sprinkle of cinnamon for flavor.

3. Evidence-Based Justification

• Switching to Greek yogurt increases protein from 6 g to 10 g, supporting growth and satiety.
• Total sugars drop from 20 g to about 11 g (6 g lactose + 5 g fruit sugar), a 45% reduction in sugar.
• Using whole fruit adds fiber and vitamins, improving overall nutrient density.

4. Reflection

• What surprised you most? That “fruit” yogurts often contain more added sugar than natural yogurt.
• How will you apply this skill? I will compare flavored and plain yogurt labels and always look at the order of ingredients.

Use these examples to guide your own proposals. Your version may include other sensible swaps or portion changes—just be sure to justify each choice with label data and clear reasoning.

Label Buzz Warm-Up

Time: 5 Minutes

Get ready to dive into food labels by sharing your favorite snack and reflecting on what you already know.

1. Think Independently (2 minutes)

1. Write down the name of your favorite snack:
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. On the snack’s nutrition label (real or imagined), pick one detail you notice (e.g., serving size, calories, sugars, ingredients):
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Why might that detail be important when choosing a snack?
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Pair-Share (2 minutes)

Turn to a partner and take turns sharing:

• Your snack name and the label detail you picked
• One question you have about that detail (e.g., “What does % Daily Value mean?”)

3. Class Buzz (1 minute)

Let’s do a quick buzz around the room!
Volunteers—share one label detail or question you heard that surprised you.
 
 
Next Steps:
We’ll now look at some real-world labels on the slides and dig deeper into what these numbers and ingredients tell us about our snacks.

Ready? Let’s go!

Real Label Examples Slides

Quick Takeaway Exit Ticket

Time: 5 Minutes

1. What is one new insight you gained about reading food labels today?

1. Describe how you will use this skill when choosing snacks or meals outside of class.

1. What’s one question you still have about nutrition labels that you’d like to explore further?

Great work today! Remember, you can review the Real Label Examples Slides or revisit your Alternative Proposal Sheet if you want to refresh your label-reading strategies.