Scott's+Lesson+Plan

Scott's Lesson Plan

Grade Level- 9th Topic-Nutrition Guide Materials- KWL worksheet, Nutrition Guide (not labeled), pictures of various foods

The KWL chart will be used to give me an understanding of what the students know about the food chart. I know that this topic is not covered in seventh grade health but it is talked about in home economics in seventh grade, but not in great detail. The class will revisit the chart at the end of the unit to complete the learned part. I like this idea of waiting to the end so I can get an idea of what changes I could make to the lesson to make it easier for the students to learn about this or other topics. The students will get a handout of the Nutrition Guide. [] This is the new pyramid which has changed since many of us went to school. The great part about this site is that it is interactive with what I am trying to get across about the foods groups. You can see the colors are all different shapes. I have the students list some foods they think are healthy and unhealthy. We will place these foods as I click on the colors on the pyramid. For example, I click on the orange color and it is the grain group. We list some foods that as a class we think are in the grain group. I then click on the learn more button and it takes me to an explanation of what foods are in the grain group. This is the part where the photographs come in. You scrool down to the middle section and see the words view grains food gallery. This gives you a picture of some of the food listed. I like the fact that the size and amounts that you are supposed to eat are listed along with it. It tells you that 1 cup of corn flakes is one ounce of your daily intake of grains. That is not alot of cornflakes if you think about it. The students get a better understanding by seeing the amount they should be eating and what they should be avoiding with this exercise. I also try to tie this in with the school nutritionist to come in to speak to the class about the lunches at the school and why certain items have been left off the menu. The students will hand the pyramid in to me so I can take a look at their understanding of each food group. From the feedback I hear from the students it is a eye opener in what foods they should and shouldn't eat. Like most of us we tend to overdo it in some of the foodgroup areas. Later in the chapter the students design a week-long menu using what they have learned from this and other lessons.

The site I used above is a great site to use for all ages so if you have a few moments take a look at it and maybe there is something you can use for yourself or your classes.

I didn't think the NARA or SEA method would fit into this lesson unless I really modified the SEA method. Please correct me if I am seeing that wrong.  Great website, Scott. I'm bookmarking it right now : ) Thanks for Sharing! - Diane

"I also try to tie this in with the school nutritionist to come in to speak to the class about the lunches at the school and why certain items have been left off the menu."

Scott, I really like how in this lesson you are able to connect something relevant and important to kids, the school lunch menu. By bringing the nutritionist into the classroom, students are able to see how what they are learning affects them on a daily basis, a key component to an effective lesson. Maybe after this unit your students will be able to make some sound nutritional suggestions about the school lunch menu to the nutritionist. (Joe)