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 two varieties of tomato.

Learning Objectives

  1. Children will complete the second of four tomato tasting experiences.
  2. Children will describe if two varieties of tomato are similar or different in 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 tomato. Encourage each child in your classroom to try at least one bite of both tomatoes.
  • 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 samples of both varieties of tomato 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 regular tomato and one plate with samples of quartered cherry tomatoes.

Words to Use

Activity Description

  1. Gather the children in small groups at their tables after they have washed their hands.
  2. Ask the children what food is in the middle of the table. Remind the children of when they were food detectives. Inform the children that there are many types of tomatoes. Tomatoes come in all shapes and sizes. Tell the children that they will be tasting a cherry tomato and a regular tomato.
  3. Instruct each child to take a sample of sliced tomato.
  4. After every child has a sample, ask the children to smell the tomato. Ask the children how the tomato smells.
  5. Encourage each child to take at least one bite of tomato.
  6. After everyone has smelled and tasted the sample, ask the children if they liked it.
  7. Repeat this process for quartered cherry tomatoes.
  8. Ask the children if the different types of tomatoes looked the same or looked different, smelled the same or smelled different, tasted the same or tasted different.

Summary

Enrichment

Ask children how many pieces of tomato you have when you cut it in half, in quarters, and in eighths.

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.