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 spinach 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 the spinach lasagna roll-ups.
  • 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

  • Earlier in the day, thaw frozen spinach and remove excess moisture. Cook lasagna noodles as indicated on box.
  • Immediately before the lesson, ask the children to put on their chef aprons, chef hats, and wash their hands.

Activity

Introduction

Making the spinach lasagna roll-ups will work well in a large group.

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 following recipe with the children in your classroom.

  1. Combine the following ingredients
    • 2 lightly beaten eggs
    • 2 cups of low-fat or fat-free cottage cheese
    • 2 cups shredded part-skim Mozzarella cheese
    • 2 10-oz packages of spinach
  2. Demonstrate how to assemble a spinach lasagna roll-up. Place one spoonful of the mixture on one end of a lasagna noodle and roll up.
  3. Assist each child in rolling up his/her own noodle and secure with a toothpick. Only a teacher should secure with a toothpick.
  4. Place seam side down in a baking dish and let children pour pasta sauce over each roll-up.
  5. Cover dish and bake in 350 degree oven for 25–30 minutes.
  6. Remove toothpick before serving and cut roll-ups into smaller pieces no larger than ½ inch for easy chewing.
  7. Encourage each child to try a bite of his/her spinach lasagna roll-up.

Summary

Enrichment

Take a field trip to the grocery store and have the children find the spinach in the produce section.

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.