Objectives:
The student will:

• classify foods from the school lunch menus into the correct food group
• create a database file
• determine if the school lunch menu offers a balanced meal

Materials:
 One or multiple computers, printer
 software: database
 monthly school lunch menus

Procedures:
 1.  Explain the database terms of field, record, and file.  Work with the class to design a database template that includes fields such as date, day, choice of A or B lunch, and the five food groups.

 2.  Enter the information from the school menus into the database.  The entire class should assist during the first five days.  Then students can take turns at updating the file.

 3.  Have the class compose a list of questions they would like to collect answers to, and tally regarding the school lunches.  They can be fun, creative, or analytical.  Examples:  How many times did the cafeteria serve the students’ favorite lunch -- pizza?  the teacher’s favorite--? How many times was liver the alternate choice to pizza? Was fish always served with fries?

 4.  Explain how to access and search a database.  Have the students search the database to get answers to their questions.  Have them search to determine if the cafeteria meals are balanced ones by searching for empty fields in the food groups.

 5.  Update the database weekly.  Re-tally and print information monthly.

Assessment:
Students' databases will be used for assessment.

Home Learning:
Students will generate questions for new databases.

Extension:
Have students use graphing software.  Have them write reports of findings, using word processing.

Internet Links:
Check out the following links for great follow up activities or home learning assignments related to the health and nutrition:

Teacher Source
BrainPop Nutrition
Dole 5 a Day
Body Wise Girl Power
Fantastic Food
Nutrition Explorations