About

Purpose

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 taste test steamed asparagus.

Learning Objectives

  1. Children will complete the second of four asparagus tasting experiences.
  2. Children will describe how asparagus looks and if they like the way asparagus smells and tastes.

Teaching Objectives

  1. Teachers will model healthy eating behavior for children.

Teaching Tips

  • Encourage each child in your classroom to try at least one bite of asparagus.
  • The more times children are exposed to new foods the more likely they are to like the new food.
  • Children are more likely to try a new food if you model the behavior!

Prep Info

knife and cutting board

Equipment Required

materials

Materials/Supplies

* Optional

Before the Lesson

  • Prepare the samples of asparagus for each child.

An easy way to steam fresh asparagus:

  1. Remove one spear from the asparagus bundle and snap.
  2. Line up bundle with snapped spear and cut rest of spears at approximately the same location, saving the ends with a head.
  3. Place spears in a colander over a pot of boiling water.
  4. Steam until very tender.

Activity

Introduction

This activity will work well at tables in small groups. Each table should have one plate with samples of steamed asparagus.

Words to Use

Activity Description

  1. Gather the children in small groups at their tables after they have washed their hands.
  2. Ask the children what food is in the middle of the table. Remind the children of when they were food detectives. Inform your students that there are two parts to an asparagus: the spear and the head. Compare the spear and head to a stem and flower. Ask the children what looks the same and what looks different about the two parts of the asparagus.
  3. Instruct one child at each table to take a sample of asparagus and pass the plate to the rest of the children at the table.
  4. After every child has a sample, ask the children to smell the asparagus. Ask the children how the asparagus smells.
  5. Encourage each child to take at least one bite of asparagus.
  6. After everyone has smelled and tasted the sample, ask the children if they liked it.

Summary

Enrichment

Cut and paste pictures of items that begin with the letter a on a piece of paper with the letter a.

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.