• lenny-learning-logoLenny Learning
  • Home
    Home
    • Lessons
    Lessons
  • Curriculum
    Curriculum
  • Surveys
    Surveys
  • Videos
    Videos
  • Support
    Support
  • Log In

What’s On Your Plate?

Deborah Carpenter

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Plate It Right Lesson Plan

Students will learn to identify the five food groups, analyze the balance of common meals, and apply the MyPlate model by designing a healthy plate diagram.

Understanding balanced nutrition builds lifelong healthy eating habits. This lesson empowers 5th graders to make informed food choices, recognize food groups, and develop practical meal-planning skills.

Audience

5th Grade Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, sorting activity, creative plate design

Materials

  • Balanced Meal Bonanza Slides, - MyPlate Makeover Activity, - Food Group Sorting Sheet, and - Nutrition Knowledge Check

Prep

Prepare Materials and Review Content

10 minutes

  • Print or load digital versions of: Balanced Meal Bonanza Slides, Food Group Sorting Sheet, MyPlate Makeover Activity, and Nutrition Knowledge Check
  • Review the MyPlate model and key food group concepts
  • Ensure classroom projector/computer is ready for slide presentation

Step 1

Hook & Objective

5 minutes

  • Greet students and ask: “What did you eat today?”
  • Record a few responses on the board
  • Explain today’s goal: learn about food groups and build a balanced plate using the MyPlate model

Step 2

Nutrition Basics Presentation

10 minutes

  • Launch Balanced Meal Bonanza Slides
  • Define the five food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, dairy
  • Discuss why each group is important and examples of each
  • Invite questions and real-life meal examples

Step 3

Food Group Sorting Activity

10 minutes

  • Distribute Food Group Sorting Sheet
  • In pairs, students cut or label pictured foods into the correct groups
  • Circulate, prompt discussion on tricky items
  • Review answers together as a class

Step 4

MyPlate Makeover Creation

15 minutes

  • Hand out blank plate templates from MyPlate Makeover Activity
  • Students draw and color a balanced meal, labeling each food group
  • Encourage creativity while maintaining correct proportions
  • Volunteers share their plates and explain choices

Step 5

Knowledge Check & Closing

5 minutes

  • Distribute Nutrition Knowledge Check
  • Students complete a brief quiz silently
  • Review answers aloud and address misconceptions
  • Summarize key takeaways and encourage students to apply MyPlate at home
lenny

Slide Deck

Balanced Meal Bonanza

Exploring the Five Food Groups to build a healthy, balanced meal.

Welcome everyone! Today we're starting our Balanced Meal Bonanza. Get students excited about learning the five food groups and building a healthy plate.

Today's Goal

• Identify the 5 food groups
• Learn why each group matters
• See examples of common foods

Review today's goals: identifying five food groups, understanding why each matters, and seeing real examples.

Food Group 1: Fruits

Why fruits matter:
• Packed with vitamins & fiber
• Keep our skin and body healthy
Examples: apples, bananas, berries, oranges

Explain that fruits provide vitamins and fiber. Show a real apple if possible and ask for student favorites.

Food Group 2: Vegetables

Why veggies matter:
• Loaded with vitamins & minerals
• Great for healthy eyes & skin
Examples: carrots, broccoli, spinach, peppers

Discuss vegetables next. Highlight color variety and nutrients like vitamins A & C.

Food Group 3: Grains

Why grains matter:
• Provide energy (carbs)
• Eat more whole grains for fiber
Examples: whole wheat bread, brown rice, oatmeal

Point out grains like whole wheat bread and rice. Emphasize energy-providing carbohydrates.

Food Group 4: Protein

Why protein matters:
• Builds & repairs muscles
• Keeps us full and strong
Examples: chicken, beans, nuts, eggs

Explain protein’s role in building muscles and repairing tissues. Include plant & animal sources.

Food Group 5: Dairy

Why dairy matters:
• Rich in calcium & vitamin D
• Builds strong bones & teeth
Examples: milk, yogurt, cheese

Discuss dairy for strong bones and teeth. Mention dairy alternatives (soy milk) for lactose sensitivities.

Pop Quiz Time!

Which food is in the dairy group?
A) Carrot
B) Cheese
C) Bread
D) Chicken

Engage students by asking them to choose the correct answer. After responses, reveal the right one and discuss.

Introducing MyPlate

• ½ Fruits & Vegetables
• ¼ Grains
• ¼ Protein
• Side of Dairy

Introduce the MyPlate model as a visual guide. Encourage students to think about plate portions.

lenny

Activity

MyPlate Makeover Activity

Description: A creative, hands-on project where students apply their knowledge of the MyPlate model by designing and coloring their own balanced meal plates. They will demonstrate correct food-group proportions, label each section, and explain their choices.

Materials Needed:

  • Blank plate templates (from MyPlate Makeover Activity)
  • Colored pencils or crayons
  • Optional: food magazines or printed pictures, scissors, and glue

Prep (5 minutes):

  • Print one blank plate template per student
  • Arrange coloring supplies and optional food cut-outs on tables

Instructions:

  1. Design Your Plate (10 minutes)











    • Distribute the blank plate templates.
    • Guide students to fill in each section:
      • ½ plate with fruits & vegetables
      • ¼ plate with grains
      • ¼ plate with protein
      • A side portion for dairy
    • Have students draw or paste foods in each section and label each item with its food group.
  2. Share & Reflect (5 minutes)





    • Invite volunteers to present their MyPlate creations.
    • Ask presenters to explain why they chose each food and how they ensured correct proportions.
    • Encourage classmates to ask questions or give positive feedback on nutritious and creative choices.
lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Food Group Sorting Sheet

Instructions:

Sort the foods listed below into the correct food groups. Write each food name under the appropriate heading in the space provided.

Fruits







Vegetables







Grains







Protein







Dairy







Foods to Sort:

  1. Apple
  2. Carrot
  3. Rice
  4. Chicken
  5. Yogurt
  6. Spinach
  7. Bread
  8. Cheese
  9. Beans
  10. Banana
  11. Broccoli
  12. Oatmeal
  13. Eggs
  14. Orange
  15. Milk
  16. Nuts

Use scissors to cut out each food name and paste (or write) it under the correct food group heading above.

lenny
lenny

Quiz

Nutrition Knowledge Check

lenny