First Grade Curriculum Resources

Standard of Learning

1.2 The student will explain that good health is related to health-promoting decisions. Key concepts/skills include:

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Understanding the Standard

The student will know the importance of proper nutrition and identify foods that are good sources of energy.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

The student will:

describe why proper nutrition is important. (food provides energy for the brain to think and the body to move and grow)
identify the groups of foods that makes up the food guide pyramid:
breads, cereal, rice, and pasta group;
fruit group;
vegetable group;
milk, yogurt, and cheese group;
meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, and nut group; and
fats, oils and sweets located at the top of the pyramid are not considered a food group
describe a healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner. (eat different foods from each food group)
describe healthy snacks.

Instructional Strategies

Balanced Meals: An Educator's Reference Desk Lesson Plan
Grade(s): 1-2
As a way to set the stage, the teacher will talk to the students about food. He or she will then ask the students to raise their hands and name their favorite foods. Then he or she will ask them to raise their hands if they like to eat vegetables. From there students will participate in activities promoting healthy food choices in hopes that they will learn to choose healthier.
http://www.eduref.org/Virtual/Lessons/Health/Nutrition/NUT0015.html
Free

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner with Gregory
Grades K-2
Create a nutritious breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and feed Gregory the goat.
Sponsor: Ask ERIC Lesson Plan
Three class periods
http://www.eduref.org (select lesson plans - health - nutrition)
Free

Dole's Five A Day Lesson Plans
Covers food journals, new fruits and vegetables, measuring portions, and where plants grow. Linked with reading/language arts, math, history, social science, science, geography, health, art/music/dance, agriculture, technology, home school, community service learning, and recognition curricula standards.
Sponsor: Dole
http://www.dole5aday.com/index.jsp
Free

Education Center Activity: Eat Right!
Grade(s): 1-5
In this lesson students will learn about eating healthy by being taught about the food pyramid and making a collage of healthy food choices.
http://www.eduplace.com/rdg/gen_act/cooking/eatrigh.html
Free

Elementary Interdisciplinary Curriculum: Every Day, Lots of Ways (EDLOW)
Grades: K-1, 5 A Day for Better Health (focus - five fruits and vegetables a day)
Curriculum to promote healthy food choices.
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Department of Education
http://www.pde.state.pa.us/food_nutrition/cwp

5 A Day The Color Way - "There's a Rainbow on My Plate"
Grades K-6 (K-3, 4, 5, 6)
Encourages students to eat more fruits and vegetables each day through a variety of lessons & activity sheets. Teacher’s guide, take home literature, recipes.
Sponsor: Dole Food Company
http://www.5aday.com
Free

Food Groups
Grade(s): 1
Introduce Nutrio the puppet. Have the puppet explain that everyone eats. Why do people eat? Why is food important?
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=975
Free

Food Pyramid Game
Grade(s): K-5
This game is for elementary aged kids. It is meant to familiarize them with the food pyramid.
http://www.theteacherscorner.net/lesson-plans/health/food-pyramid-game.htmFree

Food Time
Grades 1-2
Activity based program to build skills and motivate students to make healthy food choices. Each kit includes teaching guide, videos, magazines, family newsletter, posters, and worksheets. Produced in 1995.
Sponsor: USDA
http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/educators/scholastic.html
+Cost

The Great Body Shop
Grades preK-6
Evaluated program
Encourages students to make life-long healthy choices including healthy nutrition and physical activity. Comprehensive health education program. Topics include: --Critical thinking
--Life skills
--Health values
Available in English and Spanish; parent bulletins in seven languages
Sponsor: The Children’s Health Market
http://www.thegreatbodyshop.net
+Cost

Health: Winning with Nutrition
Grades preK-2
Look at athletes and what they eat, use food pyramid, taste various foods, and play quiz games.
Sponsor: PBS
Covers one class period but format may be used multiple times to teach new concepts about nutrition and healthy eating, with additional topics included.
http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/ (select Health & Fitness - Grades K-2 - Fitness & Nutrition)
Free

Healthy Eating: An Educator's Reference Desk Lesson Plan
Grade(s): K-3
To make students aware of ways newspapers can teach about nutrition and good health.
http://www.eduref.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Health/Nutrition/NUT0004.html
Free

HeartPower
Grades K-2
Teaches students about the heart and how to keep it healthy. Includes physical activity, nutrition, and living tobacco-free. Science-based lessons and handouts.
--What Is the Heart? - lesson idea
--What Does the Heart Do? - lesson idea
--How Does the Heart Work? - lesson idea
--Why Do We Eat Food? - lesson idea (role of nutrients in food)
--Choosing Healthful Foods - lesson idea (encourages children to eat a variety of healthy foods and plan healthy meals)
--"Gimme 5" - lesson idea (encourages children to eat a variety of healthy foods)
--What Is Smoking? - lesson idea
--How Does Physical Activity Help Your Body? - lesson idea (physical activity helps your body grow strong and stay healthy)
--How Muscles Work - activity sheet
--Follow the Blood - activity sheet
--What Foods Do You Need? - activity sheet
--Making Healthful Choices - activity sheet
--Fruits and Vegetables - activity sheet
--Activities for the Heart - activity sheet
--"Take a Look Inside of You" - visual quick activity
Sponsor: American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3003406
Free

Heart Power
Grade(s): K-4
This tag game is used to reinforce three important ways to keep your heart healthy.
http://www.pecentral.org/lessonideas/ViewLesson.asp?ID=5848
Free

Mission Nutrition
Grades K-5 (K-1; 2-3; 4-5)
Three units related to promoting healthy body image, healthy eating, and physical activity. Includes lesson plans and student activities.
Sponsor: Dietitians of Canada and Team from Kellogg Canada, Inc.
http://www.missionnutrition.ca/missionnutrition/educators
Free

Oral Health Education: Saving Smiles Series- “Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body”
Grade: 1
Lesson Plan (1) Identify the functions of healthy teeth. (SOL 1.1b)
Lesson Plan (2) Demonstrate correct toothbrushing techniques for young children. (SOL 1.2a)
Lesson Plan (3) Demonstrate safe toothpaste use and proper toothbrush storage. (SOL 1.2a)
Lesson Plan (4) Identify nutritious meals, snack foods and beverages to improve general and oral health. (SOL 1.2f)
Lesson Plan (5) Identify the oral health professionals met during a dental visit. (SOL 1.5a and b)
Lesson Plan (6) Follow school safety rules during activities to avoid dental and facial injuries. (SOL 1.3a, b, c and h; SOL 1.6a, b and c)
Sponsor: Virginia Department of Health, Division of Dental Health
Contact: http://www.vahealth.org/teeth/OralHealthEducation.asp (curriculum resources)
Free

Additional Intructional Resources

Review K.1a
"Figuring Out Food Labels" - http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/food/labels.html
"Food Guide Pyramid" - http://www.healthteacher.com
"The Food Guide Pyramid" - http://www.kidshealth.org
Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children - http://www.cnpp.usda.gov
"Let's Get Cooking" - http://www.healthteacher.com
Michigan Team Nutrition Booklist - http://www.tn.fcs.msue.msu.edu
National Dairy Council - http://www.nutritionexplorations.org
U are What U Eat - http://www.pecentral.org
When Snack Attacks Strike - http://www.kidshealth.org

Assessment Ideas

The student will:

identify on a worksheet of the food groups on the food guide pyramid.
describe healthy snacks.
plan a healthy breakfast.
identify a healthy snack or meal from a list of food items or pictures.

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