The Leafy Greens Lesson Plans
Instructor Introduction
SUBJECT AREA: Language Arts, Math, Science/Health, Social Studies
GRADE LEVEL: Grades 3 - 5
SUMMARY: Students are led through activities across the core curriculum by a team of five dinosaur characters dressed in baseball uniforms who are the "Cruciferous Crusaders" All-Star Cancer Fighting Baseball Team. (Cruciferous = vegetables in the leafy green family).
OBJECTIVES:
1. Students will understand nutritional benefits of cruciferous vegetables.
2. Students will understand cancer-fighting elements in cruciferous vegetables.
3. Students will encourage the increase in consumption of leafy greens at home.
Introduce students by asking them why food is important to us (to help us grow, be strong, be healthy, and have energy for school and play). Refer to the Food Guide Pyramid. Most people do not eat enough from the vegetable group. Ask students to name vegetables they ate yesterday. Explain that cabbage, lettuce (all varieties), broccoli, kale, and spinach are vegetables that are very good for you and can be prepared in different ways so they taste great!
According to Dr. Wendy Demark at the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, diet plays a big role in cancer prevention. It is estimated that over one third of all cancer-related deaths could be prevented by a healthy diet. Fruits and vegetables are key. Research suggests that people who eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day cut their cancer risk in half when compared to those who consume one serving or less. Vegetables are especially nutrient dense. Calorie for calorie they pack more vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other cancer fighting agents than any other food group. Cabbage family (cruciferous) vegetables are particularly powerful cancer fighters.
The following lesson plan activities offer many ideas for teachers to adapt within their grade level core curriculum. A student portfolio master begins the collection of opportunities for new learning experiences. Possible community and parental involvement offer variety to the everyday lessons. Fun in the classroom is a guarantee as well as the reward of contributing to a child's healthy nutritional habits for a lifetime. A grand culminating activity, test item bank, answer keys, additional free informational package order form, and sources at conclusion of lesson plan.
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