School Programs

The University of Illinois Extension - Macoupin County Family Nutrition Program can provide your classroom with educational lessons. The purpose of this program is to help children develop into healthy adults by gaining an interest in eating healthy foods and adopting fitness as part of their lifestyle. Children need to understand that good health is, in part, a choice of the food and activity choices they make daily. Also the program is to improve practices in food selection, safety, and preparation by using the Food Pyramid. Some of the lessons available are listed. I will be happy to come to give presentations for your classroom. If you wish, you may borrow my educational materials.

Pre-Kindergarten through 1^st

Handwashing

Emphasis on washing hands: Use of Glitter Bug potion and a special UV fluorescent light that teaches the fundamentals of proper hand-washing after going to the bathroom, playing outside/inside, playing with animals, coughing/sneezing or blowing your nose, and before eating or cooking. A 10 minute video All Hands on Deck compliments the lesson. Chart for school/home provided for each child. Time: 40 min. Physical Development and Health State Goal 22.A.1b, 22.B.1, English State Goal 4A

Pre-K

Food Pyramid

Meet the Food Pyramid group and squeeze the stuffed "Vegetable Friends". Color day celebration by seeing/tasting, if appropriate, the food. Examples: Red Day: kidney beans, cranberry juice, watermelon, red apples, strawberries, cherries, tomatoes. Brown Day: brown rice, whole-wheat bread, baked beans, chocolate milk. Time: 30 min. Physical Development and Health State Goal 22.A.1b, 22.B, English State Goal 4A

Kindergarten

Snacks

Review hand washing rules/criteria. Discuss Food Pyramid and broaden the child's snack menu. Sing along with a tape "I Try New Foods, Oh, Yes I Do". Charts provided for each child to use at home or school. Snacks, based on a pyramid level, provided for the child as an example to fill out their chart. (Example: Ants on a log--celery with cheese whiz or peanut butter and raisins.) Time: 40 min. Physical Development and Health State Goal 22.A.1b., 22.B.1, English State Goal 4A, English State Goal 4A

1^st Grade

Food Pyramid

Discuss the food pyramid and read The Tortilla Factory by Gary Paulsen. Each child will make their pyramid tortilla to eat to demonstrate eating from each level of the food pyramid. The correct way to set a table will also be shown. Time: 45 min. Physical Development and Health State Goal 22.A.1b, 22.B. English State Goal 4

2^nd Grade

Tossed and Turned

Eating the Alphabet: Fruits and Vegetables from A to Z by Lois Ehlert is a great book to introduce fruits and vegetables. That noisy fruit-vegetable group with dip can be sampled as a way to learn about eating snacks with vitamins and minerals 5 times a day. Are you eating the root, stem, leaf, fruit, flower or seed? A sample of each can be tasted. Time: 45 min. Science State Goal 13.B.1d, English State Goal 4A

3^rd Grade

Bread

Bread, Bread, Bread by Ann Morris shows people making, baking, transporting, selling, or eating bread around the world. The FoodPyramid base of breads, cereals, and grains is needed for energy. Different types of breads will be tasted. This healthy lesson introduces children to differences & similarities in foods eaten around the world. Time: 40 min. Social Science State Goal 15.A.1a, 16.D.1(W), Goal 17.A.1b., 17.A.2b, English State Goal 4A

4^th Grade

Serving Sizes

After reading excerpts from What Food is This? by Rosemarie Hausherr, discussion includes the Food Pyramid and demonstrating examples of serving sizes. "What's your serving size?" activity allows students to measure and grasp what a serving means. Snacks and/or recipes can be provided for any level of the pyramid. (Food Pyramid Bingo game & Mysteries of the Food Pyramid video can be borrowed.) Time: 45 min. Math State Goal 7A, Science State Goal 13.B.1b, English State Goal 4A, Physical Development and Health 23.B.1, 24B

5^th Grade

5-A-Day

Discussion includes the Food Pyramid. What's the serving size of the fruit/vegetable group? Students measure the correct serving size of fruits and vegetables to see that eating 5-A-Day is easier than one might think. Research has shown that people who eat at least 5-10 servings of fruits/vegetables a day significantly reduce their incidence of cancer and cardiovascular disease. (Food Pyramid Bingo game & Mysteries of the Food Pyramid video can be borrowed.) A fruit-vegetable goal chart for the student helps to track their progress. Snacks and/or recipes are provided. Time: 45 min. Math State Goal 7A, Science State Goal 13.B.1b, English State Goal 4A, Physical Development and Health 23.B.1, 24B

6^th, 7^th, 8^th Grades

11-13 Year Olds

Calcium Curriculum

A two-part program (45 minutes each session) developed by the University of Illinois Extension Nutrition and Wellness Educators that includes information about the importance of calcium in the diet, sources of calcium, and taste testing of food with calcium. Physical Development and Health State Goal 22.A.3b, 24.B.3, English State Goal 4A

Additional Classroom Programs

Poster Lesson: Think Your Drink

Compare the nutrient density and price per serving to decide which drink gives you the most nutrition for your buck. (Comparisons of milk, fruit drinks, juice, bottled water, colas, sports drink). Xerox sheet of chart per person. Time: 20 min. Physical Development and Health State Goal 22A,B, 23B, 24B, English State Goal 4A

The Attic

Hands-on activities that demonstrate differences in fat content of foods. Reading food labels, the display tubes of sugar, fat, and salt found in foods are part of this lesson to teach healthy choices. You and the class will be amazed at the amount of fat, sugar, salt in foods. Time: 45 min. Physical Development and Health 22A,B, 23B, 24B

Healthy Snacks

This lesson helps promote a pyramid of snacks for making healthy food choices. Rainbow fruit salad, Veggies & dip to go, Pyramid pockets, Pyramid tortilla are a few of the recipes that can be made and tasted. Time: 30 min. Physcial Health and Development State Goal 22A, 23B, English State Goal 4A

Exercise Moving Power

Moving your body helps you stay healthy and keeps your body in working condition. (For PreK-2nd Exercise Cheer-I Will Have A Healthy Heart lesson from Nutrition Notes.) Wall Walk Coupons: Information on 5-A-Day physical fitness program that shows nutrition and physical fitness are essential partners. The walk occurs during a 15 min. lunch recess. Three simple behavior rules: Walk, stay on course, hands to self. The program suggests 3 times a week for 4 weeks to keep interest high. Call for more detailed information. Physical Development and Health State Goal 20C.1, 2.a-b., 21A-B, 22A, B, 23B, 24B, English State Goal 4A

Fishing the Food Pyramid

Familiar foods are placed in their proper section of the Food Pyramid and the nutritional contributions are discussed. Students will fish for food with the fishing poles after which their "catch" will be put in a proper food bucket. 30 min. Physical Development and Health State Goal 21A, B, English State Goal 4A

Importance of Breakfast

In the race between the remote-controlled Corvette and Mercedes, the one without batteries is the loser. That's just like the child without breakfast. It will be stressed that any nutritious food can be breakfast food. Time: 30 min. Physical Development and Health State Goal 22A, 23B, 24B, English State Goal 4A

Breads and Cereals

Carbohydrates give us energy for run and play. Iodine will be used to determine if foods contain carbohydrates. Paper games go along with the lesson. Time: 30 min. Science State Goal 13.A.2b-2c, English State Goal 4A

Brand Comparisons

We'll do some tasting of national, store, and generic brands of food to determine the best tasting. Two foods will be tasted. The teacher chooses which two: chips, crackers, canned fruit, fruit drinks, and peanut butter. Reading and understanding food labels is also included. Time: 40 min.Science State Goal 13.B2a, Physical Development and Health State Goal 22.A.3b, English State Goal 4A

BOOKS to enhance the nutrition lessons

Eating the Alphabet, Fruits & Vegetables from A to Z by Lois Ehlert

The Milk Makers by Gail Gibbons

COW by Jules Older

Hooray for Dairy Farming by Bobbie Kalman

From Cow to Ice Cream by Bertram T. Knight

Extra Cheese, Please! By Cris Peterson

Bread, Bread, Bread by Ann Morris

What Food is This? By Rosmarie Hausherr

The Tortilla Factory by Gary Paulsen

A is for Salad by Mike Lester

Cloudy with a Chance for Meatballs by Judi Barrett

From Head to Toe by Eric Carle

From Milk to Ice Cream by Ali Mitgutsch

From Grass to Butter by Ali Mitgutsch

Nutrition Notes: Musical Nutrition and Education to Sing and Color by Barbara J. Mayfield, M.S., R.D.

Germs on their Fingers (English/Spanish) by Wendy Wakefield Ferrin

Germs, Germs, Germs by Bobbi Katz

Germs Make Me Sick by Melvin Berger

GAMES 6

Food Pyramid Bingo
Ages 8-Adult, 2-30 players, 6-8 minutes/game

JestEdibles
Ages 6-12, and 12 on up, 2 to 12 players, 20-30 minutes/game

Food Pyramid Pursuit Jr.
Ages Pre-K to 4 years, 5-11 years, For 4-6 players

Food Pyramid Pursuit
Ages Grade 6-Up, For 4-6 players

Nutrition Facts Toss Up 24 in. Inflatable ball challenges students with 60 questions relating to the Food Guide Pyramid, serving sizes, nutrients & lots more. Answer sheet included. 2 or more players.

COMPUTER CD-ROM

Little by Little program is based on scientific principles intended to change individual dietary behavior, help set goals, & suggest practical & realistic steps to change dietary habits. The program is designed to teach people to eat better - little by little. Middle School - Adult

POSTERS

Healthy Choices - Choose between foods with little/no fat and high fat foods. Fat - Compare different food products that have equal amounts of fat. Eat More, Eat Light - Eating light does not necessarily mean eating less. Calorie & content are listed for each sample meal.

VIDEOS

The Truth About Sugar explains where sugar comes from & explains the myth and fiction about sugar. Does sugar cause hyperactivity, what kinds of sugar are worse for the teeth, is sugar a source of energy or empty calories, is sugar fattening & do sugar-free foods help in weight loss are just examples of issues covered in the video. 20 minutes.

Best Breakfast is aimed for young people from junior high to adult. It respects individual differences. Those who eat a breakfast are more likely to have a healthy, well-balanced diet than those who skip breakfast. Which is a worse habit--coffee or cola for breakfast? The best breakfast is based on 2 servings from grains, one or more from fruits and vegetables, and one from the dairy group. Pre/post test if desired. Also, quick breakfast ideas are suggested. 22 minutes

Life in the Fast Food Lane encourages good decision making about nutritious foods from fast food restaurants. Grades 7-12 - 20 min.

Secrets of the Food Pyramid covers eating the right amounts of many kinds of foods, making time for breakfast, drinking water, and choosing nutritious snacks. Grades K-3 14 min.

Mysteries of the Food Pyramid emphasis good nutrition for building, strengthening, repairing the body, eating a variety of foods daily, drinking water, eating a healthful breakfast and nutritious snacks, and exercising to be healthy. Grades 4-6 16 min.

Janey Junkfood's Fresh Adventure This Emmy Award-winning video kit teaches children how to be nutrition-smart & consumer-wise in today's fast-paced world. Dynamic performers, upbeat music, engaging graphics motivate kids to take charge of growing up healthy & fit. Video & 30 page follow-up activity guidebook with reproducible activity sheet masters, lesson plans & more. Grades K-6 30 min.

Nutrition Labels This video & teaching aids explain how to read food labels; interpret the nutrition facts for healthy food choices, define key terms; & relate reading labels to the Food Guide Pyramid. Teacher's guide, student quiz, blackline masters/activities Grade 5-adult 18 min.

How to Read & Understand Food Labels Shows how to interpret & use daily values, percentages vs absolute values, & the meaning of each item on the label. Grade 5-adult 15 min.

PROGRAM CURRICULUM BOOKLETS (Includes recipes, lessons, games, activities)Preschool Nutrition Programs: Great Purple Power Panther

I Can Eat A Rainbow Preschool Nutrition Program

Tickle Your Appetite Preschool Nutrition Program

Exploring the World of Plants Preschool Curriculum

Storybook Cook (Includes Frog & Toad, Clifford, Goldie Locks, Crunch, Munch, I am an Apple, Chocolatina, Teddy Bears' Picnic)

4-H Nutrition Programs for 8 and up
5-A-Day is the Healthy Way; Healthy Moves for Healthy Children; Celebrate Fitness (Food, Fun & Fitness)