The Great Food Pyramid

Subject: Health , Art , and Writing

Learner Outcomes:
1. Students will identify the food groups and explain why they are important.
2. Students will explain what a balanced diet is and why it is important.
3. Students will create a food pyramid.
Duration of Lesson:  three 45 minute periods

Materials:  Poster board for each group of 4 students, ruler or yard stick, scissors, pencils, markers, food pictures from magazines or newspaper circulars containing food pictures,  and/or the Internet, a copy of a blank Food Pyramid chart (abcteach) make 1 copy for each group or team, and a textbook (--Harcourt Brace & Co., copyright 1997), and access of a computer with Internet.  Magazines should be obtained beforehand,  copies of blank food pyramids should be copied prior to lesson,  and students should access internet for food pictures prior to creating the food pyramid.
Your Health 

Technology Tools/Courseware:  Computer with internet access.

Teacher Notes:

• A student/parent release form must be on file for each student.
• A computer with Internet access is needed.

Day 1

• Have students read Lesson 2  Food and the Nutrients it Contains.
• Discuss each food group, the number of servings in each, and explain why each is important.
• Discuss why a balanced diet is important.
• Have the students study the picture of the Food Guide Pyramid.  Help them recognize  that the size of each section of the pyramid roughly corresponds to the number of servings recommended  for that food group each day.

• Divide class into small groups of 3-4 students.
• Hand out one copy of a blank food pyramid chart per group or team.
• Hand out poster board, markers, pencils, rules/yard sticks, glue, and magazines or newspaper circulars containing food pictures.  Students may also access the Internet for clip art (ReceipeLu's Food Clip Art).
• Students will draw  model of the Food Guide Pyramid using markers and a ruler/yard stick.
• As a group , students will cut out food pictures that fall into the six sections of the pyramid and glue them in the appropriate sections.

Enrichment Activities:
Day 3

• Students will use computer to play Food Pyramid and Nutrition Games (ritacwright.tripod).  Students will choose one of the games.

Evaluation/Assessment:  Correctly completed Food Guide Pyramid and class participation.  Teacher may assign points for each correctly completed section of the pyramid. Food Pyramid Rubric supplied.

West Virginia Standards:
Health:   4.24,4.23,3.29,3.30
Art:  3.11,4.24
Writing: 3.46, 4.49, 4.53

National Standards: Understands
Essential concepts about nutrition and diet

References: Your Health-Harcourt Brace & Co., copyright 1997
                     abcteach
                     ritacwright.tripod
                     ReceipeLu's Food Clip Art
                     Various magazines  containing food pictures
                     Newspaper ads containing food pictures
                     Food Pyramid Rubric
 
 

AUTHORS:  Randa Baisden  Kathy Blankenship  Dixie Ingles