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 different colored bell peppers.

Learning Objectives

  1. Children will complete the second of four bell pepper tasting experiences.
  2. Children will describe if different colored bell peppers are similar or different with regard to appearance, smell and taste.

Teaching Objectives

  1. Teachers will model healthy eating behavior for children.

Teaching Tips

  • Some children may not want to try even small samples of bell pepper. Encourage each child in your classroom to try at least one bite of any colored bell pepper.

Prep Info

knife and cutting board

Equipment Required

materials

Materials/Supplies

* Optional

Before the Lesson

  • Prepare the samples of bell pepper for each child.
  • Immediately before the lesson, ask the children to put on their chef aprons, chef hats, and wash their hands.

Activity

Introduction

This activity will work well at tables in small groups. Each table should have three plates: one plate with samples of red bell pepper, one plate with samples of green bell pepper, and one plate with samples of yellow bell pepper.

Words to Use

Activity Description

Gather the children in small groups at their tables after they have washed their hands.

  1. Ask the children what food is in the middle of the table. Remind the children of when they were food detectives. Ask the children how the bell peppers look the same and how they look different.
  2. Instruct each child to take a sample of red bell pepper.
  3. After every child has a sample, ask the children to smell the red bell pepper. Ask the children how the bell pepper smells.
  4. Encourage each child to take at least one bite of red bell pepper.
  5. After everyone has smelled and tasted the sample, ask the children if they liked it.
  6. Repeat this process for the green bell pepper and the yellow bell pepper.
  7. Ask the children if the different colored bell peppers looked the same or looked different, smelled the same or smelled different, tasted the same or tasted different.

Summary

Enrichment

Make a chart that compares the children’s favorite colored bell pepper.

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.