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 help prepare a healthy snack.

Learning Objectives

  1. Children will complete the third of four cucumber tasting experiences.
  2. Children will prepare a healthy snack.

Teaching Objectives

  1. Teachers will model healthy eating behavior for children.

Teaching Tips

  • Encourage each child to take one bite of cucumber.
  • Remember that the more times children are exposed to a new food the more likely they are to develop a taste preference for that food.
  • Children are more likely to try a new food if an adult models the behavior!

Prep Info

knife and cutting board

Equipment Required

materials

Materials/Supplies

  • other vegetables (optional)

* Optional

handwashing illustration

Before the Lesson

  • Finely chop the one cucumber for the dip. All other vegetables should be chopped into pieces no larger than ½ an inch.
  • Immediately before the lesson, ask the children to put on their chef aprons, chef hats, and wash their hands.

Activity

Introduction

Making the cucumber dippers will work well at tables in small groups.

Remind children that anytime chefs make food, they wash their hands; and, great chefs always taste the food that they make.

Words to Use

Activity Description

Prepare the cucumber dip with the children in your classroom.

  1. Combine the fat free yogurt, finely chopped cucumber, light sour cream, and optional mint. Blend well.
  2. Season with optional pepper if you’re using it.
  3. Provide each table with a small bowl of dip, pieces of cucumber, tomato and, other optional vegetables.
  4. Demonstrate to the children how to make a cucumber and tomato dipper.
  5. Dip one cucumber piece into the dip and taste.
  6. Dip one tomato piece into the dip and taste.
  7. Encourage each child to make and taste his/her own tomato and cucumber dippers.

Summary

Enrichment

Ask children to help you measure out the ingredients for the dip. Ask the children to name a food in the dip (or ingredient) that was more (in quantity) than the 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.