Pick a better snackTM Lessons
The following lessons are for students in grades K-3 to promote fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity. They are designed to be taught by a nutrition educator in the classroom once a month. The lessons coordinate with the Pick a better snackTM bingo cards and family newsletters, which are sent home after each lesson. There are three sets of lessons that are repeated every three years and follow a tasting schedule. Fact sheets and coloring pages available on this website may be used to supplement the lessons. Nutrition educators must review these important food safety steps before teaching and use proper food safety practices.
Each lesson is structured into three sections: Engage, Explore and Reflect. The lesson begins with a question, which allows the students and educator to get to know one another and taps into the students' prior knowledge. Next, students learn about a fruit or vegetable through a hands-on activity and food tasting. To wrap up the lesson, students reflect on what they learned and are encouraged to share their new knowledge and experience with their parents or caregivers.
Most lessons are 30 minutes. While the lesson in this video is a little shorter, it provides an example of a typical lesson.
To learn more about the efficacy of the program, check out the SNAP-Ed Toolkit.
Year 3 Lessons (2021-2022)
New in 2021, these lessons feature fruits and vegetables that can be sourced locally in Iowa. Nutrition educators can choose to offer a food tasting of one or more of the featured produce. The lessons are also the first set of Pick a better snackTM lessons that were developed to support the Iowa Core Standards for health education and science.
(Note: The lessons were not designed for social distancing or remote learning, but can be adapted as needed.)
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
- K-1 Lesson, Leafy Greens (microgreens, lettuces, baby kale, collard, spinach)
- 2-3 Lesson, Leafy Greens (microgreens, lettuces, baby kale, collard, spinach)
May
Year 1 Lessons (2020-2021)
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
Archived Year 1 Lessons
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
Archived Year 2 Lessons
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May