Nutrition In A Box

Description

Logo for Nutrition in a Box

Inspiring kids to eat nutritious foods helps them do better in school and grow into healthy, productive adults. Recognizing that schools, camps and after school programs may want to include nutrition education, but not have the time or expertise to create their own educational materials, the OHSU Moore Institute created an engaging, hands-on curriculum. We worked with Connie Liakos, M.S., R.D., who has a wealth of experience creating nutrition curriculum for kids, to make sure it was scientifically accurate but still fun. The curriculum is designed for fourth - eighth grade students. The teacher's manual, including four lessons each with multiple stations, posters, games, worksheets and manipulatives are contained in one sturdy box.

The curriculum

  • Mirrors USDA Dietary Guidelines.
  • Utilizes the evidence-based USDA MyPlate Guide as a model.
  • Is aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
  • Aligns with current Oregon health education standards and performance indicators.
  • Has been tested in Oregon classrooms and revised based on student and teacher input.

The individual lesson plans are available to download below if you only want to use a piece of the curriculum.They include the posters, worksheets and games. The full box has color printed versions of all this information, plus all the hands-on manipulatives like a grain grinder, grain samples, osteoporosis bone density samples and more.

Teaching guide

The teaching guide includes information about the curriculum, an overview of all four lessons and tips for teaching the curriculum. 

Lesson 1: MyPlate Power Foods

fruit poster

The "eat more" groups - grains, fruits and vegetables
Lesson Plan 1

Station 1: grains
Station 2: fruits
Station 3: vegetables 

Lesson 2: MyPlate Build Foods

protein poster from Nutrition in a Box curriculum

The "Build your body" groups - protein and dairy

Lesson Plan 2

Station 1: protein 
Station 2: dairy

Lesson 3: Winning the Balance Game

Sugared drinks poster from Nutrition in a Box curriculum

 Finding the right fit for fats and sugars, evaluating and identifying portion sizes

Lesson Plan 3

Station 1: fats
Station 2: beverages
Station 3: ad busters
Station 4: portions

Lesson 4: Taking Charge of Your Choices

snacking success poster from Nutrition in a Box curriculum

Fitting in family meals, meal planning, snacking success and dining decisions

Lesson Plan 4

Station 1: family meals
Station 2: snacking
Station 3: menu planning

Food photo cards

Brown rice food photo card for Nutrition in a Box curriculum

Each lesson has a set of food photo cards with a food image on the front and nutrition information on the back. The playing cards are used for activities within each lesson, or can be used to create fun games.

Brown rice food photo card for Nutrition in a Box curriculum