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 fourth of four melon 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 cantaloupe.
  • 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 illustration

Materials/Supplies

* Optional

handwashing illustration

Before the Lesson

  • Prior to the lesson, wash lettuce and cut into ½ inch squares. Remove rind and cut fresh cantaloupe. Place lettuce in one bowl, cantaloupe in another bowl, and cottage cheese in a third.
  • 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 if the cantaloupe salad is offered in an assembly line.

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 cantaloupe salad with children in your classroom.

  1. Demonstrate to the children how to make cantaloupe salad.
    • Place one lettuce leaf on a plate.
    • Pour 1–2 spoonfuls of cantaloupe pieces on the lettuce.
    • Add 1 spoonful of cottage cheese.
  2. Ask each child to make his/her own cantaloupe salad.
  3. Encourage each child to take at least one bite of cantaloupe.

Summary

Enrichment

Invite a local farmer or rancher to come into the class and talk to the children about his or her job.

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.