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 cantaloupe and another type of melon.

Learning Objectives

  1. Children will complete the second of four melon tasting experiences.
  2. Children will describe if cantaloupe and another melon 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 cantaloupe and/or watermelon. Encourage each child in your classroom to try one bite of both melons.
  • 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 cantaloupe for each child.

Activity

Introduction

This activity will work well at tables in small groups. Each table should have two plates: one plate with samples of cantaloupe and one plate with samples of watermelon.

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. Explain to the children that both foods on the table are types of melon. Ask the children to describe similarities and differences between the two types of fruit.
  2. Instruct each child to take a sample of cantaloupe.
  3. After every child has a sample, ask the children to smell the cantaloupe. Ask the children how the cantaloupe smells.
  4. Encourage each child to take at least one bite of cantaloupe.
  5. After everyone has smelled and tasted the sample, ask the children if they liked it.
  6. Repeat this process for the watermelon.
  7. Ask the children if the two melons looked the same or looked different, smelled the same or smelled different, tasted the same or tasted different.

Summary

Enrichment

Count and clap the syllables in words such as wa-ter- me-lon, can-ta-loupe, etc.

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.