PEANUT

2.  Have students write down what they think nutrition is. Then have a few share what they wrote.

3. Tell them that nutrition comes from the word nutrient, which is the substance that all living things need in order to survive and grow.

4. Write two headings on the board or overhead.  Healthy and Not Healthy.

5.  Have students share different foods they eat.  Have the class decide if to write it under the healthy or not healthy column.

6.  Hand out the new food pyramid. Discuss the food pyramid and what are some foods we should not eat at all or just a little, such as saturated fats, sugars, etc. Tell students that our bodies can get sick when we eat too much of these foods.

7.  Go over the food pyramid guide and find out if the foods they listed as healthy are listed in the pyramid.

8. Talk about products that are processed such as cereals, pasta, breads, peanut butter, etc.

9. Ask what is the difference between natural foods and processed foods.

11. Divide the students into groups. Give each group a jar of peanut butter.  Give each group a different brand. (make sure to include an all natural brand) Then hand out to each student a label survey.

12.  Each student in the groups will complete the label survey using the information on the label of the jar.

13.  Have each group share their findings.

14.  Then pair up students from different groups and have them compare and contrast their labels and decide which brand is healthier.

15. Discuss the nutrients found in the peanut butter.

16.  Discuss that peanuts are mainly protein.

17.  Students will research to find out how protein helps our body.  Also vitamins and minerals.  Then create Building our Body Table

Assessment

1. Completed label survey

2. Venn diagram or comparison paragraph comparing peanut butter labels.

3. Building Our Body Table

Homework

1. Students will research healthy recipes using peanuts and other peanut products.

2. Each child will write their favorite recipe on a 3 x 5 index card.

3.  Use the index cards to create a class recipe book

http://gapeanuts.com/kids/color.htm

http://foodallergy.org/FAAW/PALfactsheet.pdf

http://foodallergy.org/allergens.html#peanut

Extension

1. Teacher visit www.peanut-institute.org.

The Peanut Institute is a non-profit organization that supports nutritional research and develops educational programs to encourage healthful lifestyles.

Order the Fueling Kids for Fun & Fitness.  It is free and they send you a folder for each student you request. It is full of activities to do with your class.