Fourth Grade Curriculum Resources
Standard of Learning
4.1 The student will explain how nutrition affects personal health and academic achievement. Key concepts/skills include:
- the nutrients needed for proper brain functioning;
- the importance of balance, variety, and moderation in a meal plan;
- the effects of malnutrition;
- the impact of nutrients on growth and development;
- the impact of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins on physical performance.
Understanding the Standard
The student will understand how nutrients are essential for proper brain functioning.
Essential Knowledge and Skills
The student will:
- describe the function of the brain. (nerves send and receive messages to and from all parts of the body and the brain stores what you learn)
- describe the function of the left side of the brain. (is the memory side of the brain and you also use this side of the brain when you read, spell, and do math)
- describe the function of right side of the brain. (is used when you draw, sing, write stories, or show feelings)
-
identify nutrients that help the brain function well:
- proteins; (good source of energy that lasts a long time – this is why you need proteins for breakfast to think clearly at school)
- carbohydrates; (starches and sugars – starches, such as bread, rice, pasta, and cereal, provide energy for a long time and should be included in your breakfast; while sugars provide quick energy that does not last a long time)
- fats; (fats help make brain cells and other tissues and store vitamins)
- water; (needed by every cell in the body – your brain will not work well without enough water – if you become dehydrated, you may become dizzy and weak)
- minerals; (they help with chemical processes in the cells and are needed for muscles and nerves to work) and
- vitamins. (they help your body use carbohydrates, proteins, and fats – vitamin B is needed for your nerve cells and memory to work well)
Sample Lessons
About All You Can Eat: A Feast at Plimoth Plantation
Grades 3-5
Compares foods eaten in 1627 with high fat foods eaten today. Also looks at 500 BC.
Sponsor: PBS
Two class periods
Contact: http://www.pbs.org/teachersource
Free
The Brain Reflex System and How It Works
Grade(s): K-5
The students will learn the basic facts about the reflex systems of the brain.
http://www.iit.edu/~smile/bi8902.html
Free
Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH)
Grades 3-5 (Hearty Heart and Friends - 3rd grade; Go For Health - 4th and 5th grades; and Facts for 5 - 5th grade)
*Evaluated program with mixed results
Coordinated effort between classroom, cafeteria, and physical education to decrease fat, saturated fat, and sodium in students' diets; increase physical activity; and prevent tobacco use.
Sponsor: Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH)
http://www.sph.uth.tmc.edu/chppr/catch/andhttp://www.flaghouse.com
+Cost
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
Don't Buy It - Get Media Smart!
Discusses advertisements and marketing. Students design a cereal box; graph data; complete nutritional comparisons; and use statistics to sell a product.
Sponsor: PBS
Six class periods
http://pbskids.org/dontbuyit/teachersguide.html
Free
Eat Well and Keep Moving
Grades 4-5
*Evaluated program
Comprehensive program to increase physical activity, increase fruits and vegetables, decrease fat, and decrease television viewing. Children learn as they move. Includes 44 lessons, CD-ROM to customize lessons, worksheets, school campaigns, and reproducible materials.
Sponsor: Harvard University
http://www.humankinetics.com
+Cost
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 and activity sheets. Teacher's guide, take home literature, recipes.
Sponsor: Dole Food Company
http://www.5aday.com
Free
Fit For Life: An Educator's Reference Desk Lesson Plan
Grade(s): 4
This lesson will make students more aware of the importance of a wellness lifestyle. It will also make them aware of they things the can do to develop a wellness lifestyle.
http://www.eduref.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Health/Nutrition/NUT0001.html
Free
The Food Groups: Food Pyramid
Grades 3-5
Students learn about the five food groups and how to use the food pyramid as their guide.
Sponsor: Ask ERIC Lesson Plan
Two classes
http://www.eduref.org (select lesson plans - health - nutrition)
Free
Food Works
Grades 3-5
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
Gregory, The Terrible Eater
Grades 3-4
Students demonstrate understanding of balanced meals and food sources from the various food groups. Construct healthy menus and determine costs of the foods. Based on the book Gregory, The Terrible Eater.
Sponsor: Ask ERIC Lesson Plan
One class period
http://www.eduref.org (select lesson plans - health - nutrition)
Free
Health Database
Grades 2-5
Students analyze the content of school lunches to see if the lunches are balanced.
Sponsor: Ask ERIC Lesson Plan
Five class periods
http://www.eduref.org (select lesson plans - health - nutrition)
Free
Healthy Weights for Healthy Kids
Grades 3-6
Addresses healthy eating, physical activity, and positive body image for children. Discusses healthy food, drink, and snack choices; physical activity options; and positive body image.
Sponsor: Virginia Cooperative Extension
Contact Local County Extension Office
Free
HeartPower
Grades 3-5
Teaches students about the heart and how to keep it healthy. Includes physical activity, nutrition, and living tobacco-free. Science-based.
--Healthy-Heart Menus Quick Activity (Children create a one-minute television feature called "The Healthy-Heart Minute.")
--Target: No Smoking Game
--A Bunch of Reasons Not to Smoke Quick Activity
--Stand and Deliver Game
--What Does the Heart Do? - lesson idea
--How Does Blood Circulate? - lesson idea
--How Do Foods Help Our Bodies? - lesson idea (Encourages students to eat a variety of healthy foods. Describes various nutrients.)
--How Do You Choose Snacks and Other Foods? - lesson idea (Discusses factors influencing why students choose the foods they do. Activity sheets.)
--How Does Physical Activity Help You? - lesson idea (Discusses factors that influence students' choices about physical activity.)
--How Can You Stay Fit? - lesson idea (Discusses peer influences on personal health decisions related to fitness. Discusses heart-healthy fitness. Activity sheet. "What's Your Activity IQ?")
--"Smoking in the Cellar" - lesson idea
--Label the Heart's Parts - activity sheet
--What's in Foods? - activity sheet
--Be Choosy! - activity sheet
--Rate that Snack! - activity sheet
Sponsor: American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org
Free
Is it Fruit?
Grades 2-4
Students learn what constitutes a fruit and that only 100% juice should be considered a fruit.
Sponsor: Ask ERIC Lesson Plan
One class period
http://askeric.org/cgi-bin/lessons.cgi/Health/Nutrition
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/eng/educators/
Free
Nutrition 3: Got Broccoli?
Grade(s): 3-5
In this lesson students will understand why the body needs food, and how it takes necessary nutrients as food passes through the digestive system.
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?BenchmarkID=6&DocID=58
Free
Nutrition - Food Pyramid Book and Game
Grades 2-6
Students create a food pyramid and classify foods.
Sponsor: Ask ERIC Lesson Plan
One class period
http://askeric.org/cgi-bin/lessons.cgi/Health/Nutrition
Free
Nutritious and Delicious
Grades 3-4
Students create a food pyramid, keep a food diary for one week, and compare what they eat with the pyramid.
Sponsor: Ask ERIC Lesson Plan
Two class periods
http://askeric.org/cgi-bin/lessons.cgi/Health/Nutrition
Free
Nutrition Education - Dietary Solutions
Grade(s): 4
The students will understand how a healthy diet and exercise can increase the likelihood of physical and mental wellness. Also students will learn that nutritional problems can have solutions.
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=952
Free
Nutrition Education - Nutritionally Well
Grade(s): 4
The students will understand how a healthy diet and exercise can increase the likelihood of physical and mental wellness because nutrients affect growth and well-being.
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=951
Free
Nutrition Education - Well Rounded Diet
Grade(s): 4
From this lesson students will learn how well-rounded daily meals effect their mental and physical wellness.
http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=976
Free
Planning a Healthy Menu Using the Food Pyramid
Grades 3-8
Students use the food pyramid to plan a healthy meal.
Sponsor: Ask ERIC Lesson Plan
One class period
http://askeric.org/cgi-bin/lessons.cgi/Health/Nutrition
Free
Pyramid Explorations
Grade Four
Program to teach students about good eating habits, sound nutrition, and the Food Guide Pyramid. Lessons based on aliens coming to earth to learn about nutrition. Each activity is one act of a six-act plan. Includes activity sheets, teacher guide, workbook for each student, food pyramid poster, handouts, and additional activities.
Sponsor: National Dairy Council
http://www.nutritionexplorations.org
Free
Salad Party
Grades 3-4
Students learn what part of plants are eaten as vegetables; taste new vegetables; and make a salad.
Sponsor: Ask ERIC Lesson Plan
One class period
http://askeric.org/cgi-bin/lessons.cgi/Health/Nutrition
Free
Additional Instructional Resources
- Review 2.2a
- Good Food Choices - http://www.neatsolutions.com
- Leafy Greens - http://www.leafy-greens.org
- Nutrition Cafe - http://www.exhibits.pacsci.org/nutrition
- Nutrition Explorations - http://www.nutritionexplorations.com/educators/lessons/pyramid-exp/exp-main.asp
- Southeast Dairy Association (free student workbooks) - http://www.southeastdairy.org
- Stepping Up to the Plate - interactive computer game teaching healthy eating habits for physically active youth - e-mail: stadler@vt.edu
Assessment Ideas
The student will:
- compare sample meals (one healthy, one unhealthy) using the food guide pyramid.
- assess the nutritional content of a meal based on the food guide pyramid.
