design Science unit about Food and Nutrition for 3rd grade ESL students

Unit Overview

Grade level 4

Disciplinary Area ESL

Unit Title Health and Nutrition

Population Description

Ages : 9 Years

Grade Level: 4

English Proficiency Levels: Expanding

ESL program Model: ESL Class Period

Summary and Rationale

Health and Nutrition

Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach (CALLA) is the most appropriate theoretical ground for the unit since it has been based on cognitive theories that are infused into the lesson planning process to create learning strategies that in order to develop content that will increase the academic fluency of the ESL students.

This unit was chosen since health and nutrition is an everyday thing and students have to engage in activities that are related to health and nutrition everyday Further still, with the increasing cognitive abilities of the students, there is need to introduce them to the ideals of balance diets and the terminologies that are used in food and nutrition. Proficiency in health and nutrition as a unit increases the vocabulary base of the ESL students of the chosen age and also increases their prowess and language proficiency.

It is of interest to the teacher that the children learn different types of foods according to their diet categories and also increase their word power. The expectation is that since children at the chosen developmental stage are intrigued by different foods and snacks, teaching concepts and engaging them in ideas will be easy. The activities that are lined up in the teaching/learning process are engaging and fun and the students should have no problem internalizing ideas.

Students are also expected to understand the connections that are there between the physical activities, emotional wellbeing and their social wellness. They should also analyze the needs for the variety and moderation that is offered by a balanced diet.

Health and nutrition is an everyday thing the components of it go beyond the classroom setting to the world. Issues with personal health, fitness and diet have got lasting impressions in the life of a person and the set standards from whence a child is young are the same that they adhere to up their old age. It also increases responsibility and builds a level of self awareness and discipline.

There is a misrepresentation that is common with regard to health and nutrition and it is that it is an adult issue. Most people resign the need to keep children healthy despite the obvious need to involve the children themselves. This unit offers such a chance that will help children become aware of their health situation,

The unit characterises food as human fuel that powers growth and development and therefore underlines the need to have healthy lifestyles and balanced diets. This practicability of the unit increases the level of student engagement through the kind of activities that the learning/teaching process can offer. Through different fun activities, the students can learn about food and nutrition. These activities include; word games, collage and art. Being an ESL class, students will also have activities that sample the food categories from their cultures.

Essential Questions

What is proper nutrition?

What are nutrients?

What are Nutritional Decisions?

Unit Questions

How is proper nutrition helpful to growth and development?

How do these nutrients provide the energy that is needed for daily living?

What resources can one use in making nutritional decisions?

Common Core Standards

1. Students should be able to refer to the details provided as well as the examples within a text when making explanations about the text.

2. Write informative or explanatory texts that examine the topic while conveying ideas and information

3. Conduct simple research projects aimed at building knowledge through investigation of the given aspects in the topic

Language Learning Standards

1. Demonstrate proficiency in conventions of English grammar when speaking and writing

2. Aptly determine meanings of new words as well as words with multiple meanings and phrases while choosing from a number of strategies.

Resources

The teacher resources will include well laid out lesson plans and teachers’ guide books. These will ensure that the lessons are taught in line with expectations and the core standards are met.

The lessons will also use web-based manipulatives in which students will use the internet for nutrition based games and activities. Such activities are available on a number of sites such as www.kidsfoodtalk.com . The children will also watch chosen material on video that will include informative stories and children nutrition activities and games.

Nutritional food charts and other provided interactive documents that are of the children’s levels will also be used. The printable charts will engage the students and help them in memorization of food groups and categories.

A paediatrician will also talk to the children in a visit so as to underline the core elements of nutrition and diet.

The suggested text for this unit is;

Williams, Trudy. This=That Child Size: A Life-Size Photo Guide to Food Serves. Trudy Williams Nutrition & Dietetics Pty Ltd