Understanding the impact of health-related choices, particularly regarding smoking and nutrition, is crucial for children and adolescents. The following resources provide engaging, informative, and culturally relevant materials that aim to educate young learners about the consequences of smoking, the importance of nutrition, and how to foster healthy habits. These resources are designed for educators, parents, and caregivers, helping them guide children toward making informed decisions about their health.
F.A.C.T.S. for 5: Facts & Activities about Chewing Tobacco & Smoking
Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health (CATCH) ©1995
This curriculum consists of four engaging sessions over four weeks, tailored specifically for fifth-grade students. Each session lasts approximately 50 minutes and covers essential topics related to smoking prevention. Students will learn about the harmful consequences of smoking, strategies to resist peer pressure, the financial costs associated with smoking, and the dangers of secondhand smoke.
AUDIENCE: Upper Elementary Health Instructors
FORMAT: Four-Session Curriculum
Family Pictures: Cuadros de Familia
Children’s Book Press ©1990, Carmen Lomas Garza
This bilingual picture book showcases vibrant illustrations and heartfelt stories that depict life in a Mexican-American family. It highlights various culinary traditions, including picking cactus, making tamales, enjoying tacos, preparing rabbit with tortillas, harvesting oranges, and savoring watermelon.
AUDIENCE: Child Care Providers/Sponsors, Early Elementary Parents, Preschool Teachers
FORMAT: 32-Page Book
Feast for 10
Clarion Books ©1993, Cathryn Falwell
What’s involved in preparing a feast for 10 hungry people? The journey begins with one shopping cart, two pumpkins, three chickens, and more! With lively rhymes, children will count to ten during a grocery store adventure and again at home as everyone pitches in to create the meal.
AUDIENCE: Child Care Providers/Sponsors, Early Elementary Parents, Preschool Teachers
FORMAT: 32-Page Book
Fit For A King: The Smart Kid’s Guide to Food & Fun
American Academy of Pediatrics ©1997
This entertaining and educational video captures the interest of children aged 7-11 by following a young monarch and his friends—a storyteller, a scientist, and a traveling sales kid. Together, they explore the importance of nutrition and physical activity in leading a healthy life. Utilizing the Food Guide Pyramid, the video empowers kids to make healthy choices and create personalized diet and fitness plans that are truly “fit for a king.”
AUDIENCE: Elementary Child Care Providers/Sponsors, Health Clinics, Physical Education Instructors
FORMAT: 9-Minute Video, Leader Guide, Reproducible Activity Sheet, Food Guide Pyramid Poster
Fitness For Good Health
Perennial Education ©1994
Join young Jackie on her adventure to become her own fitness hero as she accepts her teacher’s exciting fitness challenge. This engaging program educates viewers about the essential components of health-related fitness, including strength, endurance, and flexibility. The importance of rest, safety, and healthy eating habits in achieving and maintaining fitness is also highlighted.
AUDIENCE: Lower Elementary Physical Education Instructors
FORMAT: 15-Minute Video
5 A Day Power Play: Eat 5 School Idea and Resource Kit
California Department of Education ©1994
Packed with innovative, child-driven activities, this resource kit aims to raise awareness and encourage children aged 9 to 11 to consume five servings of fruits and vegetables daily for better health. The activities deliver a straightforward and powerful message, making it suitable for 4th and 5th-grade teachers and child nutrition staff. They promote cooperation among classrooms, cafeterias, families, and communities, fostering a healthier environment based on the latest research in prevention.
AUDIENCE: Upper Elementary Parents, Food Service Personnel, Teachers, Health Clinics
FORMAT: Camera-Ready Teaching Aids, Audio Tape, Posters
Five A Day Bingo: A Fun Nutrition Game For All Ages
Food Services of America, Inc ©1995 Kathy Andersen
“Five A Day Bingo” combines fun and education by helping players learn more about produce while enjoying the game. It serves as an effective tool to raise awareness about the 5 A Day initiative, encourage the consumption of fruits and vegetables, and reward players for trying new produce items.
AUDIENCE: Child Care Providers/Sponsors, Elementary, High School, Adult Day Care, Health Clinics
FORMAT: Game, 25-Page Notebook
Food and Feasts Between the Two World Wars
Macmillan Publishing Company, New Discovery Books ©1994 Philip Steele
This engaging book offers a social history of the foods consumed in Europe and North America during the 1920s and 1930s, emphasizing how technological advancements and significant historical events influenced culinary practices.
AUDIENCE: Upper Elementary, Middle School Teachers, General Adults
FORMAT: 32-Page Book
Food and Feasts in Ancient Egypt
Zoe Books Limited ©1994 Richard Balkwill
Delve into the social history of Ancient Egypt through this book, exploring what foods were eaten, how they were prepared, and the impact of the Nile on daily life.
AUDIENCE: Upper Elementary, Middle School Teachers, General Adults
FORMAT: 32-Page Book
Food and Feasts in Ancient Greece
New Discovery Books ©1995 Imogen Dawson
This informative book examines the dietary habits of the ancient Greeks, detailing the foods they consumed, how they were prepared, and the significant events that led to celebrations and feasts.
AUDIENCE: Upper Elementary, Middle School Teachers, General Adults
FORMAT: 32-Page Book
Food and Feasts in Ancient Rome
New Discovery Books ©1994 Philip Steele
Explore the social history of Ancient Rome in this book, which explains dietary customs and the events that inspired special celebrations, along with tips for recreating those feasts today.
AUDIENCE: Upper Elementary, Middle School Teachers, General Adults
FORMAT: 32-Page Book
Food and Feasts in the Middle Ages
New Discovery Books ©1995 Imogen Dawson
This book provides a fascinating look at the Medieval period, discussing the foods consumed, the reasons behind their popularity, and the events that led to special celebrations and feasts.
AUDIENCE: Upper Elementary, Middle School Teachers, General Adults
FORMAT: 32-Page Book
Food and Feasts in Tudor Times
New Discovery Books ©1995 Richard Balkwill
This book offers a captivating social history of Tudor England, exploring the diverse diets of country people, townsfolk, nobility, and royalty. Readers will learn about the foods they consumed, the preparation methods used, and how increased travel introduced new ingredients to the Tudor table.
AUDIENCE: Upper Elementary, Middle School Teachers, General Adults
FORMAT: 32-Page Book
Food and Feasts With The Aztecs
New Discovery Book ©1995 Imogen Dawson
Discover the rich culinary traditions of the Aztec Empire just before the Spanish conquest. This book explains the significance of various foods, their preparation methods, and the events that led to special celebrations and feasts.
AUDIENCE: Upper Elementary, Middle School Teachers, General Adults
FORMAT: 32-Page Book
Food and Feasts with the Vikings
New Discovery Books ©1995 Hazel Mary Martell
Explore the Viking culinary landscape with this social history, detailing what foods were consumed and how they were prepared. The book also provides insights into the events that inspired unique celebrations and feasts within Viking society.
AUDIENCE: Upper Elementary, Middle School Teachers, General Adults
FORMAT: 32-Page Book
Food Guide Pyramid Flannel Board Cutouts
Help students learn about healthy food choices with this engaging flannel board set, featuring a 25-inch food pyramid and 62 movable flannel pieces for hands-on learning about food groups.
AUDIENCE: Child Care Providers/Sponsors, Preschool, Early Elementary
FORMAT: Flannel Board Food Pyramid
Food Guide Pyramid Lesson Plans: Kindergarten
Young People’s Healthy Heart Program ©1995 Sharon E. Buhr
These lesson plans are crafted specifically for kindergarten teachers, aiming to introduce students to the Food Guide Pyramid to enhance their daily food choices. Each plan includes age-appropriate objectives, a daily supply list, additional resources, a healthy recipe for class preparation, and a parent newsletter.
AUDIENCE: Kindergarten
FORMAT: Lesson Plans, Reproducible Worksheets
Food Guide Pyramid Lesson Plans: First Grade
Young People’s Healthy Heart Program ©1995 Sharon E. Buhr
Designed for first-grade educators, these lesson plans introduce the Food Guide Pyramid, helping students make informed food choices. Each plan features specific age-appropriate objectives, daily supply lists, additional resources, a healthy recipe for class, and a parent newsletter.
AUDIENCE: Elementary, First Grade
FORMAT: Lesson Plans, Reproducible Worksheets
Food Guide Pyramid Lesson Plans: Second Grade
Young People’s Healthy Heart Program ©1995 Sharon E. Buhr
This set of lesson plans for second-grade teachers introduces students to the Food Guide Pyramid, promoting better daily food choices. Each plan includes age-appropriate objectives, a daily supply list, additional resources, a healthy recipe for classroom cooking, and a parent newsletter.
AUDIENCE: Elementary, Second Grade
FORMAT: Lesson Plans, Reproducible Worksheets
Food Guide Pyramid Lesson Plans: Third Grade
Young People’s Healthy Heart Program ©1995 Sharon E. Buhr
Created for third-grade teachers, these lesson plans aim to familiarize students with the Food Guide Pyramid, encouraging healthier food choices. Each lesson includes specific objectives, a daily supply list, additional resources, a healthy recipe to prepare in class, and a parent newsletter.
AUDIENCE: Elementary, Third Grade
FORMAT: Lesson Plans, Reproducible Worksheets
Food Guide Pyramid Lesson Plans: Fourth Grade
Young People’s Healthy Heart Program ©1995 Sharon E. Buhr
This collection of lesson plans for fourth-grade teachers introduces students to the Food Guide Pyramid, aimed at improving their daily food choices. Each plan provides age-appropriate objectives, a daily supply list, additional resources, a healthy recipe for classroom cooking, and a parent newsletter.
AUDIENCE: Elementary, Fourth Grade
FORMAT: Lesson Plans, Reproducible Worksheets
Food Guide Pyramid Lesson Plans: Fifth Grade
Young People’s Healthy Heart Program ©1995 Sharon E. Buhr
These lesson plans, designed for fifth-grade educators, aim to introduce students to the Food Guide Pyramid and encourage healthier daily food choices. Each plan includes specific objectives, a daily supply list, additional resources, a healthy recipe for class preparation, and a parent newsletter.
AUDIENCE: Elementary, Fifth Grade
FORMAT: Lesson Plans, Reproducible Worksheets
Food Guide Pyramid Lesson Plans: Sixth Grade
Young People’s Healthy Heart Program ©1995 Sharon E. Buhr
Tailored for sixth-grade teachers, these lesson plans introduce the Food Guide Pyramid to help students make better food choices daily. Each lesson includes age-appropriate objectives, a daily supply list, additional resources, a healthy recipe to make in class, and a parent newsletter.
AUDIENCE: Elementary, Sixth Grade
FORMAT: Lesson Plans, Reproducible Worksheets
Food Models for General Audience: Comparison Cards
National Dairy Council ©1994
This resource features life-size cardboard photographs of 185 commonly consumed foods, complete with portion sizes and nutritional information on the back of each card. The accompanying Leader Guide offers various activity ideas for utilizing the Food Models effectively.
AUDIENCE: Elementary Students, High School Students, General Adults
FORMAT: 185 Food Models, Leader’s Guide
Food Pyramid Bingo
Smartpicks, Inc ©1996 Kathleen Stefancin
Experience an energetic way to learn about nutrition with Food Pyramid Bingo! This interactive game engages participants of all ages, teaching them about good nutrition while having fun. The game features a traditional bingo format with the Food Guide Pyramid displayed prominently on each card, helping players learn about 95 pre-selected foods, their placements within the pyramid, and serving sizes.
AUDIENCE: Elementary, Child Care Providers/Sponsors, Parents, Community
FORMAT: 30 Laminated Cards, 95 Picture Squares, Checking Chart, Instruction Sheet
Food, Energy and You
Perennial Education ©1993 Sy Wexler
This informative program illustrates how our bodies utilize energy from the foods we consume. It emphasizes the importance of obtaining sufficient food energy for growth and development. The edition also explains the process by which food supplies energy and highlights how sensible eating habits significantly contribute to overall well-being.
AUDIENCE: Elementary Students, Child Care Providers/Sponsors
FORMAT: 20-Minute Video
Food, Family & Fun: A Seasonal Guide to Healthy Eating
June 1996 USDA
This 122-page book offers a collection of 50 nutritious recipes for parents, arranged by the months of the year. Each recipe includes a family nutrition education activity, making it a valuable resource for promoting healthy eating within families. This book is part of the USDA’s Team Nutrition program.
AUDIENCE: Child Care Providers/Sponsors, Parents
FORMAT: 122-Page Book
Foods Around the World
Dairy Council of Wisconsin
Embark on a journey to various countries with this engaging multicultural program. In just a few minutes, you can create a bulletin board perfect for any environment and suitable for all ages. Customize it to fit your needs by showcasing one or all 15 featured countries. This teacher-tested program includes maps, flags, food lists, and reference sheets for each country, a vibrant banner, 150 colorful food picture cards, a teacher/leader guide with three lessons and 20 activities for grades 2-6, and a recipe booklet.
AUDIENCE: Elementary students, childcare providers/sponsors
FORMAT: Maps, picture food cards, teacher/leader guide, recipe booklet
The Foods I Eat…The Foods You Eat
Many Hands Media ©1996
This educational program provides young children with exciting opportunities to explore a multicultural world of food! Through this food and nutrition education initiative, children will experience a variety of foods and learn how the foods that help them grow can be similar and different. It’s a joyful celebration of food and culture!
AUDIENCE: Childcare providers/sponsors, Head Start, early elementary nutritionists
FORMAT: Teacher’s guide, audio cassette, books, and recipe cards
Foodworks: Over 100 Science Activities and Fascinating Facts That Explore the Magic of Food
Addison-Wesley Publishing Company ©1987 Ontario Science Center
Developed by the renowned Ontario Science Centre, this resource combines fun activities, games, and intriguing facts about food—from teeth and taste to digestion and culture. Discover why you feel hungry, what happens to a hamburger after a bite, and what kids eat for breakfast in India. Learn why cheese isn’t a common food in China, make ice cream without a machine, create a hydroponic garden, and delve into the worlds of chocolate, hot dogs, soda pop, and more. Explore topics like fish farming, food in space, the life of seeds, and the eating habits of pythons.
AUDIENCE: Upper elementary students, middle school students
FORMAT: 90-page book
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Photo Cards
California Department of Education ©1997
This set includes 142 photo cards, each displaying a photograph of a fruit or vegetable along with its name in English and California-Mexican-Spanish. The back of each card features nutrient analysis in bar-graph form, serving size, preparation methods, a map indicating the main producing states, a symbol denoting which part of the plant is edible, and the names of different varieties.
AUDIENCE: Middle school students, high school students, upper elementary students
FORMAT: 142 photos
From Farm to Food
Pennsylvania Department of Education ©1993
This 10-minute video explores the origins of food. It uses the Food Guide Pyramid to teach Pennsylvania school children about the food products sourced from their state and how these items fit into the Pyramid structure.
AUDIENCE: Elementary students, childcare providers/sponsors, health clinics
FORMAT: 10-minute video
From Moo to You
Dairy Council of Wisconsin ©1996
In the “From Moo to You” program, students will join Billy on an exciting journey through the pasture, barn, and dairy plant to learn how milk is produced and processed. Additional trips to the supermarket and school illustrate the nutritional benefits of milk when combined with other foods from the Food Guide Pyramid.
AUDIENCE: Preschool, early elementary
FORMAT: CD-ROM computer program
Go for Health 4: Taking Off
Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health ©1995 CATCH
This comprehensive 24-session curriculum spans 12 weeks and is designed for fourth-grade students, emphasizing nutrition and physical activity. Each session lasts about 45 minutes and introduces the concepts of GO, SLOW, and WHOA foods, empowering children to make healthier food choices. The curriculum includes six activity booklets titled “Stowaway to Planet Strongheart,” serving as homework to promote family engagement.
AUDIENCE: 4th-grade health instructors
FORMAT: 24-session curriculum
Go for Health 5: Breaking Through Barriers
Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health ©1995 CATCH
This engaging 16-session curriculum, intended for fifth graders, spans 8 weeks and focuses on nutrition and physical activity. Each session is approximately 50 minutes long and emphasizes the importance of dietary variety, the Food Guide Pyramid, and problem-solving strategies to overcome barriers to healthy eating and physical activity. The curriculum includes four activity newsletters, “Health Trek…the Journey Continues,” to encourage family participation.
AUDIENCE: 5th-grade health instructors
FORMAT: 16-session curriculum
Gobble Up Math: Fun Activities to Complete and Eat for Kids in Grades K-3
The Learning Works, Inc ©1994 Sue Mogard
This delightful program combines math, nutrition, and the Food Guide Pyramid in a fun and tasty way! Children use healthy foods such as raisins, pasta, cereal, and fruit to explore concepts like patterns, geometry, measurement, number operations, fractions, and estimation. As kids complete each activity, they get to enjoy the tasty results! It’s a fantastic way to inspire a love for math at home or in the classroom.
AUDIENCE: Childcare providers/sponsors, elementary students
FORMAT: 136-page book
Gobble Up Science: Fun Activities to Complete and Eat for Kids in Grades 1-4
The Learning Works, Inc ©1996 Carol A. Johmann
Filled with engaging activities and experiments, this book encourages kids to explore fascinating topics such as taste, water properties, mixtures, reactions, digestion, and food origins. It’s a hands-on approach to learning science that is sure to captivate young minds.
AUDIENCE: Childcare providers/sponsors, elementary students
FORMAT: 136-page book
The Good Food Diner
Markay Enterprises Corp. ©1995
This lively program, blending animation and live action, highlights the importance of balanced and healthy meals for maintaining energy and well-being. It showcases various in-school nutrition initiatives, emphasizing the positive effects of eating breakfast and healthy snacks. Viewers will learn about the digestive system and its role in processing food, as well as the consequences of healthy versus unhealthy diets, stressing moderation with “junk food.” The program concludes with a visit to a grocery store’s produce section, teaching viewers how to select vegetables and assemble a nutritious, balanced meal.
AUDIENCE: Elementary students
FORMAT: 14-minute video
Good Food for Good Health
Perennial Education ©1993
This informative video thoroughly explains the Food Guide Pyramid and the role of different food groups in providing essential nutrients. It includes a brief overview of the digestive system, illustrating how it extracts vital nutrients from food for energy. The program also addresses the health risks associated with excessive sugar, cholesterol, and fat intake.
AUDIENCE: Lower elementary, childcare providers/sponsors, health clinics, parents
FORMAT: 10-minute video with discussion questions
Good Nutrition is Everybody’s Ball Game
Francis Family Publishing ©1992 Lynnrae Francis
Join B. Smart and his friends as they create an understanding of wise food choices in this engaging book.
AUDIENCE: Childcare providers/sponsors, early elementary, parents, preschool teachers
FORMAT: 18-page book
Good Nutrition Round Up
Providers Press ©1994 Lynnrae Francis
Join B. Smart and his friends as they explore how to make smart food choices in this engaging book.
AUDIENCE: Childcare providers/sponsors, early elementary, parents, preschool teachers
FORMAT: 14-page book
Good Nutrition Travels Far
Lynnrae Francis ©1992
Join B. Smart and his friends in this delightful book, which helps children understand how to choose food wisely.
AUDIENCE: Childcare providers/sponsors, early elementary, parents, preschool teachers
FORMAT: 14-page book
A Good Soup Attracts Chairs: A First African Cookbook for American Kids
Pelican Publishing Company, Inc ©1993 Fran Osseo-Asare
This beautifully illustrated cookbook serves as a recipe for cultural understanding, offering basic cooking tips along with special African techniques for creating enticing dishes like egg curry, banku, fufu, African doughnuts, and akla—a delicious cousin to Southern hush puppies. The easy-to-follow recipes from Ghana and West Africa are enriched with cultural and historical insights, an extensive glossary of West African ingredients, and guidance on sourcing and substitutions.
AUDIENCE: Middle school students, elementary students, general adults
FORMAT: 159-page book
Gregory, the Terrible Eater
Scholastic Inc ©1980 Mitchell Sharmat
In this humorous tale, Gregory the Goat’s unusual eating habits worry his parents, mirroring the concerns of human parents! It’s a lighthearted way to initiate discussions about healthy eating.
AUDIENCE: Childcare providers/sponsors, early elementary, parents, preschool teachers
FORMAT: 30-page book
Growing Colors
Lothrop, Lea & Shepard Books ©1988 Bruce McMillan
Featuring vibrant photographs of green peas, yellow corn, red potatoes, purple beans, and other fruits and vegetables, this book beautifully illustrates the colorful diversity of nature.
AUDIENCE: Childcare providers/sponsors, early elementary, parents, preschool teachers
FORMAT: 32-page book