Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 1

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Identify at least three healthy food items and three unhealthy food items.
• Sort pictures or examples of food into two categories: 'Healthy Foods' and 'Unhealthy Foods'.
• Explain in simple terms why healthy food is good for the body (e.g., "It helps me grow," "It makes me strong," "It gives me energy to play").
• State that unhealthy foods are 'sometimes' or 'treat' foods that should not be eaten every day.
• Draw a picture of a healthy meal or lunchbox containing at least two healthy food items.

Lesson summary

This lesson introduces Grade 1 learners to the fundamental concept of healthy eating. In South Africa, children are exposed to a wide variety of foods, from traditional home-cooked meals like pap and morogo to processed snacks and fast foods readily available at spaza shops and supermarkets. Understanding the difference between foods that help their bodies grow strong and foods that should only be eaten as occasional treats is a foundational life skill. This knowledge empowers them to start making positive choices, contributes to their long-term health, and helps them maintain the energy needed for learning and playing.

Lesson notes

This section provides the core knowledge for the lesson. It should be delivered using simple language, visual aids, and repetition.

Concept 1: Our Bodies Need Fuel Just like a car needs petrol to go, our bodies need food for energy. This energy helps us to run, jump, play with our friends, and even to think and learn in class. The best kind of fuel for our bodies comes from healthy food.

Concept 2: 'Go' Foods (Healthy Foods) We will call healthy foods 'Go' Foods or 'Grow' Foods. These are the superfoods that help us in many ways: They help us GROW: They build strong bones, strong teeth, and strong muscles.

They help us GO: They give us long-lasting energy to play and learn all day.

They help us GLOW: They keep our skin, hair, and eyes healthy and bright. They also help fight off sickness like colds and flu. Examples of 'Go' Foods relevant to South African learners: Fruits: Oranges, bananas, apples, mangoes, grapes. "These are full of vitamins that act like superheroes inside your body to fight germs!"* Vegetables: Carrots, morogo (spinach), pumpkin, tomatoes, cabbage. "Eating vegetables of different colours, like a rainbow, gives your body many different kinds of power." Grains: Pap (maize meal), brown bread, rice, oats. "These give you slow-releasing energy so you don't feel tired in the middle of the school day." Protein: Chicken, fish, beans, lentils, eggs. "These are body-builders! They help make your muscles strong for running and climbing." Dairy: Milk, amasi (maas), yoghurt. "These have something called calcium, which is like cement for your bones and teeth, making them hard and strong." Water: Water is the most important drink! It helps your whole body work properly.

Concept 3: 'Sometimes' Foods (Unhealthy Foods) We will call unhealthy foods 'Sometimes' Foods or 'Treat' Foods. It is important to explain that these foods are not 'bad', but they don't give our bodies the good things they need. We should only eat them sometimes, maybe on a special day like a birthday, but not every day. Why are they 'Sometimes' Foods? They often have too much sugar, salt, or unhealthy fat.

Too much sugar: Can make your teeth sore (cavities) and gives you a quick burst of energy that disappears fast, leaving you feeling tired.

Too much salt and fat: Is not good for your heart and body when you eat it all the time. Examples of 'Sometimes' Foods relevant to South African learners: Sweets & Chocolates: Chappies, lollipops, chocolate bars.

Salty Snacks: Packets of chips (like NikNaks or Simba).

Sugary Drinks: Fizzy drinks (Coke, Fanta), and some juices with lots of added sugar.

Fried Foods: Vetkoek, hot chips (fries). While delicious, they are often oily and best as a treat.

Cakes & Biscuits: These are lovely for parties, but not for your daily lunchbox. Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Activity 1: The Food Sorting Game Question: The teacher holds up picture cards of different foods (or uses real food items). For each food, the teacher asks: "Is this a 'Go' Food that helps us grow, or a 'Sometimes' Food for treats?" Picture of an Apple Picture of a Lollipop Picture of a Carrot Picture of a glass of Water Picture of a packet of Chips Solution &

Commentary: Apple: Learners should say it's a 'Go' Food. Teacher's

Commentary: "That's right! An apple is a fruit full of vitamins that keeps us healthy and strong." Lollipop: Learners should say it's a 'Sometimes' Food. Teacher's

Commentary: "Correct! A lollipop is mostly sugar. It's a nice treat for a party, but not for every day because it's not good for our teeth." Carrot: Learners should say it's a 'Go' Food. Teacher's

Commentary: "Yes! A carrot is a vegetable that helps our eyes to see well. It's a fantastic, crunchy snack." Water: Learners should say it's a 'Go' Drink. Teacher's

Commentary: "Excellent! Water is the best drink for our bodies. It keeps us feeling fresh and helps our brains think." Chips: Learners should say it's a 'Sometimes' Food. Teacher's

Commentary: "Well done. Chips are very salty and are a treat. A better choice for a snack would be a fruit or a vegetable." Activity 2: Packing a Healthy Lunchbox Question: "Sipho is packing his lunchbox for school. His mom gives him a choice between two items. Which one is the better 'Go' Food choice to help him learn and play at school?" A cheese sandwich or a chocolate bar? A bottle of water or a can of fizzy drink? A banana or a packet of sweets? Solution &

Commentary: A cheese sandwich.

Commentary: "The sandwich gives long-lasting energy for the brain and body. The chocolate is a 'Sometimes' food." A bottle of water.

Commentary: "Water hydrates the body without any sugar. The fizzy drink has too much sugar and will make Sipho feel tired later." A banana.

Commentary: "The banana is a 'Go' Food full of energy and vitamins.