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 describe what a Sweet Potato looks like under a magnifying glass. Children will also share if they like how a sweet potato feels, smells and tastes.
Learning Objectives
Children will complete the first of four sweet potato tasting experiences.
Children will describe what a sweet potato looks like under a magnifying glass.
Teaching Objectives
Teachers will model healthy eating behavior for children.
Teaching Tips
Young children are more likely to try a new food if the behavior is modeled by an adult.
Children may not want to try a new food. Encourage each child to take one bite.
Prep Info
Equipment Required
Materials/Supplies
* Optional
Before the Lesson
Select one whole sweet potato for children to closely examine with magnifying glasses. Prepare samples of roasted sweet potato for the children to taste.
An easy way to prepare roasted sweet potatoes:
Heat oven to 450 degrees.
Cut the sweet potatoes into medallions (thin slices).
Toss with 1 TBSP of olive oil and 1 tsp of seasoning. and steam.
Spread in one layer on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
Activity
Introduction
This activity will work well as a circle time activity and at tables, in small groups, for tasting.
Words to Use
Activity Description
Gather the children in a circle and explain that everybody is going to be a food detective. Remind children that a good food detective uses his or her eyes, ears, hands, and mouth to collect clues.
Pass the whole sweet potato around the circle and encourage each child to touch the sweet potato and look at the sweet potato with his or her own magnifying glass.
Ask the children what sweet potato looks like and if they liked the way sweet potato felt on their hands.
Ask the children to wash their hands and go to their tables.
At the tables, provide each child with a sample of sweet potato. Encourage children to smell the sweet potato before tasting it.
Summary
Enrichment
Read One Potato: A Counting Book of Potato Prints by Diana Pomeroy aloud to your classroom. They can learn to count and identify healthy foods at the same time!
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.
