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 tomato 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 tomato pizza.
  • 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, wash and chop the tomatoes into small pieces. Cut English muffins in half if needed. Prepare other (optional) vegetables as needed.
  • Immediately before the lesson, ask the children to put on their chef aprons, chef hats, and wash their hands.

Activity

Introduction

Making tomato pizzas will work well if prepared 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 following recipe with the children in your classroom.

  1. Demonstrate to the children how to make a mini tomato pizza.
    • Take one-half of an English muffin and add tomato/pizza sauce. Spread sauce with a spoon.
    • Place 1–2 spoonfuls of tomato on top of English muffin. Add other (optional) vegetables.
    • Lightly sprinkle with part-skim mozzarella cheese.
  2. Instruct each child to make his/her own mini tomato pizza. After each child has made his/her own mini pizza, ask them to place his/her pizza on a baking sheet.
  3. Bake at a low temperature until the cheese is melted and the English muffin is crispy.
  4. Encourage each child to try his/her own mini pizza.

Summary

Enrichment

Ask children to count the number of tomato pieces on their mini pizzas.

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.