Colleen Mistler

Paper Mill Elementary School Health Lesson

Lesson Duration: 40 minutes
Lesson 1 / 4
Week of January 24, 2017
Grade Level: 4

Materials:
Youtube Video- Nutrition Facts Labels - How to Read - For Kids - Dr. Smarty
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylY0w04AAVk
Ipad/computer
Various nutrition labels from different types of food
Cut out food
Paper Bags
Food Group Labels to put in the corners of the room
Nutritional Facts: Is Your Food A Healthy Choice? Worksheet
How to Read Food Labels Handout

Objectives: should be posted in the classroom for the students to reference, as well as
an agenda
by the end of the lesson, students will be able to :
learn about the nutrition facts labels found on food items and how they can make
healthy choices based on the information published on the labels.
learn about claims that can be found on food labels and what specific terms such as
light. good source, and free mean.
learn about the trends in portion sizes

Standards:
MACF 3.3 Recognize hunger and satiety cues and how to make food decisions based
upon these cues
MACF 3.1 Identify the key nutrients in food that support healthy body systems (skeletal,
circulatory) and recognize that the amount of food needed changes as the body grows
MACF 3.7 Describe how food choices are influenced by availability, individual and
family preferences, media, and background, and identify healthy foods within various
social groups
MACF 5.5 Explain and practice a model for decision-making that includes gathering
information, predicting outcomes, listing advantages and disadvantages, identifying
moral implications, and evaluating decisions
Introduction: Review Nutrients and food categories of MyPlate
Introduce Food Labels
Introduce low fat and sugar free foods
Review portions vs. servings
Nutrients per calorie
Ask students questions:
Can two foods have the same number of calories, but one be better for
you?
Do you know the difference between nutrition and nutrients?
What is the purpose and benefits of a well-balanced diet?

**Pre-Test will be taken individually by the students

Activity 1: Discussion
Review previous objectives and materials about MyPlate and Nutrients.
Discuss the purpose and importance of nutrients.

Activity 2: Youtube Video- Nutrition Facts Labels - How to Read - For Kids - Dr. Smarty
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylY0w04AAVk
The students will sit in front the teacher, who will told the ipad or computer and play the
video. This video is age appropriate and provides information and about the nutritional
label and how to read it correctly

Activity 3: Nutrient Grab Bag

The students will each be given one food cut out. The students should move around the
room and place the food in the correct bag. The bags will be separated by nutrients
including: water, carbs, protein, minerals, vitamins, and fats
*review in front of the class with a thumbs up and thumbs down from all students who
agree or disagree if the food is in the correct nutrient bag

Activity 4: Nutritional Labels

1. Reference the nutritional labels on the back of each food handed out to students
2. emphasize serving sizes and discuss how healthy food choices can be made by
reading the nutrition facts label. Include in the discussion the difference between
nutrition facts and nutrient content claims.
3. Talk to the students about the Percent Daily Value (% DV):
a. Percent Daily Value of five percent or less for a nutrient is considered low in that
nutrient.
b. Percent Daily Value of between ten and nineteen percent for a nutrient is
considered a good source of that nutrient.
c. Percent Daily Value of twenty percent or greater for a nutrient is considered high
in that nutrient.
d. Healthier choices have a lower Percent Daily Value for total fat, saturated fat,
cholesterol, and sodium and higher Percent Daily Value for total carbohydrate, dietary
fiber, vitamins A and C, and calcium and iron.
4. Distribute the Is Your Food A Healthy Choice? handout. Instruct students to work
in pairs and select a nutrition facts labels from the cereal, snack or packaged a-la-carte
snack items to complete the worksheet.

Activity 5: Is Your Food A Healthy Choice? Worksheet

Allow students to work in pairs to complete the worksheet. Use stickers to match
partners.

Activity 6: Discussion
Ask the students about their food label, is their food label a good choice?
Relate information to the different food groups, ask them what food group their food is a
part of.
Mention how most food that comes in packaging tends to have less nutrients.
Ask the students about the amount of calories per serving, and what it means

Activity 7 Nutrient Word Wall

Each student will be given a card. The cards either have one word or a definition. The
students will match with their pair, and review in front of the class. These partners will
be used for the Menu activity in the next lesson.