Lesson Plan
Nutrition Exploration Plan
Students will identify various food groups and understand the benefits of balanced meals, empowering them to make healthier food choices.
This lesson equips students with essential knowledge on nutrition, helping them to make informed decisions about their diets and overall health.
Audience
6th Grade Class
Time
50 minutes
Approach
Interactive activities paired with guided discussion.
Materials
Prep
Lesson Preparation
10 minutes
- Review Nutrition Exploration Plan for overall structure.
- Ensure Nutrition Slides are set up and working.
- Prepare the Food Group Bingo materials.
- Print or set up digital versions of the My Plate Worksheet.
- Familiarize yourself with the key concepts of balanced meals and food groups.
Step 1
Warm-Up Discussion
10 minutes
- Begin with a brief discussion asking students what they had for breakfast and why they chose those foods.
- Introduce the concept of food groups and balanced meals.
- Ask guiding questions to prompt thinking about why a balanced diet is important.
Step 2
Main Activity: Interactive Learning
25 minutes
- Use Nutrition Slides to present key nutritional concepts and the importance of each food group.
- Engage students with Food Group Bingo as an interactive way to reinforce food group identification.
- Distribute the My Plate Worksheet for students to complete, ensuring they can apply what they've learned about balanced meals.
Step 3
Cool-Down and Reflection
5 minutes
- Review key points learned during the lesson.
- Ask students to share one new insight about nutrition.
- Summarize the importance of balanced meals and encourage students to try incorporating these habits into their daily lives.
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Slide Deck
Welcome to Nutrition!
Today, we're going to explore what’s on our plate and learn about balanced meals that keep us healthy.
Introduction to nutrition. Discuss what nutrition means and its importance. Highlight the agenda for the lesson and mention the interactive activities including Food Group Bingo and the My Plate Worksheet.
Food Groups
Key Food Groups:
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Grains
• Protein
• Dairy
Explain the concept of food groups. Ask students to name and discuss examples from each food group.
What is a Balanced Meal?
A balanced meal includes a variety of food groups to provide the nutrients your body needs:
• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Fiber
• Protein
Talk about balanced meals and how each food group contributes to our health. Encourage discussion on why balance is important.
Visualizing a Balanced Plate
Imagine your plate divided into sections:
• Half full of fruits and vegetables
• One quarter protein
• One quarter grains
Provide examples of balanced meals. Use visuals of a divided plate (similar to My Plate) to illustrate the proportion of food groups needed.
Key Takeaways
• Understanding food groups
• Importance of including all groups in a meal
• Making informed choices for a healthier life
Conclude with key takeaways. Remind students of the interactive activity coming next and ask what they learned today.
Game
What’s On Your Plate?
Welcome to the "What’s On Your Plate?" lesson! Today, 6th-grade students will embark on an engaging exploration of nutrition and healthy eating habits. They’ll learn to identify the major food groups and understand how balanced meals contribute to overall health.
Lesson Materials
Games and Activities
Warm-Up Discussion (10 minutes)
- Ask students what they had for breakfast and why they chose those foods.
- Introduce the concept of food groups and balanced meals.
- Prompt students to consider why a balanced diet is important by posing guiding questions.
Main Activity: Interactive Learning (25 minutes)
- Use the Nutrition Slides to introduce key nutritional concepts and the main food groups: Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein, and Dairy.
- Engage students with our exciting Food Group Bingo. In this game, students will work together to identify foods that belong to each group, reinforcing their recognition skills and understanding of where different foods come from.
- Distribute the My Plate Worksheet and guide students through filling out a balanced meal plan using the food groups. Encourage them to think about proportions as shown in the "Visualizing a Balanced Plate" slide.
Cool-Down and Reflection (5 minutes)
- Gather students for a review of the key points. Ask each student to share one new insight they gained about nutrition.
- Summarize how a balanced meal benefits health and encourage students to incorporate what they've learned into their daily lives.
Follow-Up Discussion Points
- How did playing Food Group Bingo help you remember which foods belong to each food group?
- Which food group do you think is most important, and why?
- Can you suggest any other fun ways to learn about nutrition on your own or with friends?
Enjoy the lesson, and let's have fun with nutrition!
Worksheet
My Plate Worksheet
Welcome! In this worksheet, you'll create your very own balanced meal plan. Follow each section's instructions and use the space provided to write down your ideas. Remember to include foods from each group to create a healthy plate.
1. Fruits and Vegetables
List at least three fruits and three vegetables that you enjoy eating. Explain why you think these foods are important for your health.
2. Grains
Write down three examples of healthy grains (like whole wheat, brown rice, or oatmeal). Describe how grains can give you energy for the day.
3. Protein
List three protein sources (this can include meat, beans, tofu, nuts, etc.). Explain what proteins do for your body and why they are beneficial.
4. Dairy
Name two or more dairy or dairy alternative options that help build strong bones (such as milk, cheese, yogurt, or almond milk). Briefly describe one benefit of dairy in your diet.
5. Creating Your Balanced Plate
Imagine you are planning a meal. Draw or describe your balanced plate. Make sure it includes a variety of foods from all four groups above. How much of your plate is filled with fruits and vegetables? How do you balance proteins, grains, and dairy?
Remember, a balanced meal helps you grow strong and stay healthy!
Worksheet
Food Group Bingo Sheet
Welcome to the Food Group Bingo game! Use this bingo sheet to mark off foods as they are called out during the lesson. Each square contains a food item. As you listen, decide which food group the item belongs to (Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein, or Dairy) and mark it if you agree with the classification.
Fill in any blank squares with extra food items that you can think of to cheer on your classmates!
How to Play:
- Listen carefully as the teacher calls out a food item.
- If the item is on your bingo sheet, mark it off by coloring the square or drawing a checkmark in it.
- When you mark off a complete row, column, or diagonal, shout "Bingo!" and be ready to share which food groups you identified.
Food Group Bingo Sheet
| Food Item | Food Item | Food Item | Food Item | Food Item |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | Carrot | Bread | Chicken | Milk |
| Banana | Lettuce | Rice | Beans | Yogurt |
| Orange | Broccoli | Oatmeal | Eggs | Cheese |
| Grape | Spinach | Pasta | Tofu | Almond Milk |
| Strawberry | Tomato | Cereal | Fish | Ice Cream* |
*Ice Cream is a fun example! Sometimes treats like ice cream fall into the Dairy group, but always check the label for added ingredients.
Enjoy the game and think about why each food belongs to its group. Keep your eyes and minds open, and have fun playing Food Group Bingo!