The purpose of this lesson is to introduce a new food to the children in your classroom. The more times children are exposed to new foods, the more likely they are to eat and enjoy these foods in the future.
Overview
In this lesson, children will describe what asparagus looks like under a magnifying glass. Children will also share if they like how asparagus feels, smells, and tastes.
Learning Objectives
Children will complete the first of four asparagus tasting experiences.
Children will describe what asparagus looks like under a magnifying glass.
Teaching Objectives
Teachers will model healthy eating behavior for children.
Teaching Tips
Please do not add fat or cheese to the asparagus.
Young children are more likely to try a new food if the behavior is modeled by an adult.
Children may not want to try a new food. Encourage each child to take one bite.
Prep Info
Equipment Required
Materials/Supplies
* Optional
Before the Lesson
Select asparagus spears for children to closely examine with magnifying glasses. Prepare samples of asparagus for children to taste.
An easy way to steam fresh asparagus:
Remove one spear from the asparagus bundle and snap.
Line up bundle with snapped spear and cut rest of spears at approximately the same location, saving the ends with a head.
Rinse and drain spears and place in colander over a pot of boiling water.
Steam until spears are very tender.
Activity
Introduction
This activity will work well as a circle time activity and at tables, in small groups, for tasting.
Words to Use
Activity Description
Gather the children in a circle and explain that everybody is going to be a food detective. Remind children that a good food detective uses his or her eyes, ears, hands, and mouth to collect clues.
Pass the asparagus around the circle and encourage each child to touch the asparagus and look at the asparagus with his or her own magnifying glass.
Share with the children that asparagus is made up of two pieces. Compare a piece of asparagus to a flower. The head is the flower-like bud on top of the long spear.
Ask the children what asparagus looks like and if they like the way asparagus feels on their hands.
Ask the children to wash their hands and go to their tables.
At the tables, provide each child with a sample of asparagus. Encourage children to smell the asparagus before tasting it.
Summary
Enrichment
Using an asparagus spear as the unit of measure, determine the length of a table in the classroom. Encourage children to work together in order to measure the length of every table in the classroom.
Attention Teachers!
Following this activity, please fill out the teacher’s weekly log form for this lesson.
Weekly Log
Attention Teachers!
Following this activity, please fill out the teacher’s weekly log form for this lesson.
