Meet the Food Groups

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Recognize the 5 food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein foods.
• Research information about the food groups.
• Write dialogue and perform a short skit or play about food groups.

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Materials

For each small group:

• Computer or other device with internet access, or printed pages from a website (see Preparation)
• Pens or pencils
• Writing paper
• (Optional) Craft materials, such as construction paper (various colors), colored pens or markers, tape, and string

For the whole group:

• Smartboard or anchor chart

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Preparation

• Read through and familiarize yourself with the entire activity. Then, be ready to guide students to complete the activity in the time you have available. Alternatively, you may wish to complete the activity over two sessions, if feasible.
• Review the information linked below about the 5 food groups and their roles in a balanced diet. Then, be prepared to share this website with students. Alternatively, you may wish to download and print the necessary pages (1 page for each food group).

Resources:

ChooseMyPlate

Activity Steps

1. Introduce the activity by asking students to list some of their favorite foods. Record their responses on the board or chart.
2. Ask students if they know the main 5 food groups. Confirm or explain that the 5 food groups are Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Dairy, and Protein, and list these groups on the board or chart. See if students can classify some of their favorite foods into these groups. Point out that some foods can be classified into two or more groups. Hamburgers and hot dogs, for example, could fit in the Protein Foods group for their meat and the Grains group for their buns, as well as the Vegetables and Dairy groups if certain toppings are included.
3. Tell students that they will be writing and performing five short skits today, one for each food group. The goal of the five skits is to teach younger children some basic facts about the food groups in an entertaining way.
4. Have the class work in five equal teams. Assign one food group to each team.
5. Throughout the next steps of the activity, circulate among the teams and assist them as needed. Keep teams moving through the activity, so there will be time for performances.
6. Have teams begin by researching information about their food group at ChooseMyPlate.gov (See the Preparation link). Tell teams to be sure to find out the information listed below. Then, they should plan to present this information in their skits.
   • Examples of foods in the food group
   • Main nutrients the food groups provide
   • Role of the foods in a balanced diet
7. Next, have teams brainstorm ideas for their skits. For example, students might play the roles of specific foods in the food group and explain to the audience why they should be eaten. Students might also play diners at a cafeteria where the food group is served.
8. After team members have agreed on their idea for the skit, have them write dialogue and practice performing it. Encourage to give all team members roles and to try to distribute the speaking lines evenly.
9. (Optional) Students may prepare costumes or props for their skits. A costume could be a paper sign that dangles around the neck, a cutout of an apple, a milk bottle, or another food that students hold.
10. Reconvene the whole group, and invite each team to perform their skit. Encourage the audience to offer positive and constructive feedback, either after each performance or at the very end.
11. Wrap up the activity with a whole-group discussion. Ask:
    • Why do you think nutritionists organize foods into food groups
    • Did your thoughts or opinions about the food groups change because of this activity? Why or why not?
    • If young children watched the skits, what do you think they would learn? Do you think they might change their eating habits?

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Variations

1. Have students rehearse and refine their skits and then perform them for an audience of other school children.
2. Tell students to prepare their skits for a wider audience, including children and adults, for a more elaborate activity. Encourage them to include more specific information about the foods, such as RDA (recommended daily allowance).

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