In an age where nutrition plays a crucial role in children’s overall health and academic success, schools have a unique opportunity to educate young students about healthy eating habits. This supplement offers a comprehensive collection of resources designed specifically for elementary-aged children (grades K-6) to promote nutrition education. From engaging lesson plans and interactive activities to colorful cookbooks and nutrition games, these materials aim to empower students, teachers, and families alike to make informed food choices and foster a lifelong appreciation for healthy living.
1% Or Less for Primary and Secondary Schools (1996)
The Center for Science in the Public Interest has developed an engaging kit designed to facilitate the 1% Or Less campaign in schools. This comprehensive kit consists of two parts: “Getting Started” and “Materials.” The first section guides you on how to effectively conduct a campaign, while the second section supplies essential materials to educate and motivate students to choose low-fat or fat-free (skim) milk. With a variety of activities tailored for both primary and secondary schools, this kit allows you to create a program that best fits your school’s needs.
Audience: Students, Parents, Teachers, Food Service Personnel, Community
Format: Lesson Plans/Campaign Materials
5 a Day Power Play: School Idea and Resource Mini-kit (1998)
Created by the California Children’s 5 a Day-Power Play! Campaign, this mini-kit includes 17 activities that engage schools, families, peers, and communities in healthy eating. Each activity is presented in a consistent, easy-to-follow format, with ready-to-duplicate activity sheets available in both English and Spanish.
Audience: Teachers, School Foodservice, 4th and 5th Grades
Format: Resource Book
Body Trek: Learning Activities on Health and Nutrition for Upper Elementary and Middle School Students (1998)
Developed by the Dairy Council of Utah/Nevada, this curriculum is aimed at 5th and 6th graders. The learning activities align with national health standards focusing on anatomy, body systems, disease risk reduction, and healthy behaviors. Although centered on health, the lessons are structured as reading, English, and science activities.
Audience: Teachers, Upper Elementary
Format: Lesson Plans
Changing the Course: Lower Elementary (1997)
The American Cancer Society has updated its 1991 curriculum to reflect the Food Guide Pyramid and the 1995 Dietary Guidelines. This curriculum aims to help students adopt three memorable eating goals: 1) Choose a low-fat, high-fiber diet that includes five or more servings of fruits and vegetables and six or more servings of whole grains; 2) Be physically active for at least 30 minutes most days; 3) Achieve and maintain a healthy weight. The program is organized into nine classes.
Audience: Lower Elementary
Format: Teacher’s Guide/Lesson Plans/Reproducible Handouts
Changing the Course: Upper Elementary (1997)
Also revised by the American Cancer Society, this curriculum incorporates the Food Guide Pyramid and the 1995 Dietary Guidelines. Its goals are similar to those for lower elementary students: 1) Adopt a low-fat, high-fiber eating style; 2) Engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days; 3) Maintain a healthy weight. This version is organized into eight classes.
Audience: Upper Elementary
Format: Teacher’s Guide/Lesson Plans/Reproducible Handouts
Food Time (Grades 1-2) (1995)
In collaboration with USDA’s Team Nutrition, Scholastic developed these materials to enhance children’s health by encouraging them to select a variety of foods. The program focuses on increasing the consumption of grains, vegetables, and fruits while promoting a lower-fat diet.
Audience: Elementary Teachers, Parents
Format: Teacher’s Guide/Reproducible Handouts/Magazine/Newsletter/Video
Food Works (Grades 3-5) (1995)
Also created by Scholastic in partnership with USDA’s Team Nutrition, this integrated nutrition program aims to improve children’s health by motivating them to choose a diverse range of foods. The focus remains on adding more grains, vegetables, and fruits to their diet while reducing fat intake.
Audience: Elementary Teachers, Parents
Format: Teacher’s Guide/Reproducible Handouts/Magazine/Newsletter/Video
Healthland USA (1998)
Developed by the Washington Dairy Council, this interactive game teaches health and fitness behaviors alongside knowledge of the 50 states. Over five weeks, students, acting as “tourists,” earn points by practicing healthy behaviors. They form teams and accumulate points each week while completing state reports to progress in their Healthland USA journey.
Audience: Elementary
Format: Teacher’s Guide/Reproducible Handouts/Game USA Map
Kids…Get Cookin/Chicos…A Cocinar (1998)
This vibrant cookbook, created by the California Children’s 5 a Day-Power Play! Campaign, offers fun and flavorful fruit and vegetable recipes that parents and children can enjoy preparing together. All recipes are provided in both English and Spanish.
Audience: Parents, Teachers, Elementary Child Care
Format: 48-Page Cookbook
Lunchtime All Stars: Go for the Gold (1995)
The Georgia Department of Education has launched this cafeteria-based nutrition education program that emphasizes the link between nutrition and physical activity. With a sports nutrition focus, Lunchtime All Stars is designed for school-aged children. The goal is to instill lifelong habits by teaching children about the benefits of nutritious eating and activity. The program emphasizes carbohydrates, including fruits, vegetables, grains, fluids, and physical activity.
Audience: Food Service Personnel, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Format: Cafeteria Manager’s Guide/Teachers’ Guides/Reproducible Handouts
The Munchsters Talk About Food (1996)
Developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, this kit is aimed at preschool and kindergarten children, teaching them language arts skills along with health and nutrition concepts. The kit has been crafted and tested by educators to ensure effectiveness.
Audience: Preschool, Kindergarten
Format: Kit with Teacher’s Guide/Lesson Plans/Posters
Nifty Nutrition with Skill Integration Activities – Kindergarten (1998)
Created by the Arkansas NET Program, this resource provides lessons and activities that align with the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT) 9 Objectives. It combines “hands-on” food experiences with language arts, reading, and math skills to teach nutrition concepts. The program promotes acceptance of a wide variety of foods and encourages healthy eating habits, supported by collaboration between the cafeteria and classroom.
Audience: Child Care, Early Elementary, Food Service Personnel, Teachers
Format: Video and Resource Materials
Nifty Nutrition with Skill Integration Activities – Sixth Grade (1998)
Also developed by the Arkansas NET Program, this resource mirrors the kindergarten version, offering lessons and activities correlated to the SAT 9 Objectives. The program emphasizes hands-on food experiences integrated with language arts, reading, and math to foster healthy eating habits among sixth graders, facilitated through collaboration between the cafeteria and classroom.
Audience: Upper Elementary, Food Service Personnel, Teachers
Format: Video and Resource Materials
The OrganWise Guys: How to Be Smart from the Inside Out (1996)
In this engaging storybook by Michelle A. Lombardo, the members of the OrganWise Guys club, including Hardy Heart and Madame Muscle, explain how our bodies respond to lifestyle choices. The book covers topics such as low-fat/high-fiber eating, the importance of hydration, and exercise for a healthy lifestyle.
Audience: Early Elementary
Format: Storybook
Play Hard, Eat Right: A Parent’s Guide to Sports Nutrition for Children (1995)
This comprehensive resource addresses parents’ and coaches’ questions regarding the nutritional needs of exercising children, including recreational and competitive athletes aged 6 to 12. It covers growth and development, nutrient requirements, ergogenic aids, and weight management. Practical tips for child athletes and their parents are included, such as pregame and postgame meals, fast food options, recipes, menus, and snacks. The guide encourages collaboration with a registered dietitian for personalized concerns.
Audience: Coaches, Parents, Teachers
Format: 166-Page Book
Wilby’s Fitness Book (1997)
Written by Toni Tickel Branner, this delightful story follows Wilby, a clever chimp, and his best friend Teddy. Through playful rhymes and whimsical antics, Wilby teaches Teddy about heart health, muscle strength, proper stretching, nutritious eating, and self-acceptance.
Audience: Preschool, Early Elementary, Child Care
Format: Storybook