The authors present a program where students and family members were involved in a taste-testing to select the items to be planted in the school's garden at Stephenson Elementary. A simple rubric of facial recognition is used. Smiles for the favorites; frowns for the disqualifiers. With the help of the school's leadership team consisting…

There is an overwhelming amount of research and data on childhood nutrition due to drastic increases in childhood obesity (classified as a BMI index greater than the 95th percentile for their height/weight). Obesity amounts have tripled in the last 30 years for children who fall in the age range of the author's students. The effects of childhood…

Summarizes activities and materials for a two-week nutrition education program designed to foster food choice skills. Results of classroom field testing are also reported. (SK)

Breaks nutrition education into four steps: learning fundamental concepts; applying newly acquired knowledge; evaluating the learning experiences as well as the applications; and reinforcing positive habits. Provides several suggestions for activities in these areas. (JM)

Describes an elementary school's garden program, which attempts to integrate instruction in science and nutrition. Discusses some of the projects developed at the garden by the students. (TW)

Reviews materials and activities of "From the Inside Out," a nutrition and fitness program for children ages 10-13. Also reviews "Wildlife in Your World," the first set in a series of activity kits from the National Wildlife Federation. (SK)

Discusses various plant parts used as food (including seeds, roots, stems, and leaves), emphasizing the origin of plant materials bought in the supermarket. Also discusses several concepts of nutrition, menu planning, and the relationship between food and energy from the sun. (JM)

"Science Work-A-Text" combines a text and workbook approach to studying/teaching grades 1-6 elementary science. Five major themes (living things; health/nutrition; planet earth; the universe; matter and energy) are covered at each grade level. Major focus of the series is on reading and content rather than process. (Author/SK)

Finding common interests with which to engage learners from different cultural backgrounds can be a challenge in any classroom. It is particularly so in an urban, English/Spanish dual-language immersion school, which draws a socioeconomically and linguistically diverse population of students from a wide geographic area. The curriculum design in…

World Diabetes Day (November 14) offers a wonderful opportunity to educate elementary children about the power they have to control their health. First lady Michelle Obama has urged Americans to educate themselves about childhood obesity, which is often associated with the onset of type II diabetes (Rabin 2010). The authors developed activities to…

The sight of young children eagerly reaching for and eating string beans, carrots, lettuce, radishes, and even raw beets and onions is an incredibly satisfying one for a science teacher. The experience of growing food is a natural motivation for getting children to eat more healthful foods, and the process of how food is grown, harvested, and…

When one thinks of a "concept map," they usually think of a chartlike graphic that describes a concept and its various relationships, with general concepts at the top, specific supporting concepts toward the bottom, and words and lines showing the connections and flow between the concepts. Some think of concept maps as tools for teachers of upper…

Describes a unit on seeds designed to introduce students to their scientific and nutritional uses. Unit activities are easily done, employ a variety of process skills, and can be used at various grade levels. Suggests field trips to gather seeds, seed sprouting, and making cookies out of various whole grains. (JM)

Describes an experiment, conducted by sixth-grade students, with mice that demonstrates the importance of a balanced diet. (JR)