Nutrition WebQuest

 

 

 

 

Nutrition WebQuest

 

Grade 4

created by Heather Hopfensperger, Kathy Kreie, Kelly McQueen, Heather Lee Muehlius


State Standards and Rationale | Objectives | Purpose Statement

Introduction | The Task | The Process & Resources | Conclusion | Books

 

State Standards

Science Strand C - Science Inquiry

   

C.4.6 Communicate the results of their investigations in ways their audiences will understand by using charts, graphs, drawings, written descriptions, and various other means, to display their answers

 

English and Language Arts Strand E - Media and Technology

E.4.1 Use computers to acquire, organize, analyze, and communicate information.

English and Language Arts Strand B - Writing

B.4.3 Understand the function of various forms, structures, and punctuation marks of standard American English and use them appropriately in communications.

Rationale:  Students will learn how to explore the Internet and use electronic files to communicate the results of their investigation as appropriate.  Students will gather information on the components and benefits of a healthy, nutritious diet.  Students will examine their own diet, and learn strategies to meet their daily nutritional needs.  Parts of the webquest will be completed with a partner, and others will be completed individually.  

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Objectives

Students will synthesize information learned about nutrition through a 5 day meal plan.

Students will use the Internet and word processing software to acquire, organize, analyze and communicate the information gathered on nutrition.

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Purpose Statement

Over the next few class periods, you will explore nutrition and the food guide pyramid. You will explore various websites, complete online activities, investigate the food guide pyramid, and analyze your own diet.  After you have learned more about nutrition and what makes up a healthy diet, you will create your very own 5 day meal plan!  By completing this webquest, you will develop your technology skills by navigating the Internet and using word processing software.  In addition, you will have a better understanding of why we need to eat our fruits and veggies!  And you'll get to brag about what you've learned to your classmates!  WOW!

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Introduction

Is the food you eat good for you? Are you getting enough of the five food groups every time you eat? Good nutrition helps you function better every day. By being aware of what you eat and how much you eat each day will help you learn how to be a healthy eater! 

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The Quest

Your task is to complete the phases listed below.  You will get a little background on the importance of nutrition, explore the various components of a healthy diet, compare your diet to a healthy diet, investigate healthy recipes to add to your diet, and as a final project, complete a 5 day healthy menu plan. 

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The Process and Resources

In this WebQuest you will be working with a partner. Each group will answer the Task or Quest(ion). With your partner, you will explore Webpages from people all over the country who care about nutrition. Because these are real Webpages we're tapping into, not things made just for schools, the reading level might challenge you. Feel free to use the online Webster dictionary or one in your classroom.

You'll begin with everyone in your group getting some background before dividing into roles where people on your team become experts on one part of the topic.

Phase 1 - Background: Something for Everyone

Use the websites below to explore the food pyramid and get a basic understanding of your nutritional needs.

·         The Food Guide Pyramid  This is an excellent printable copy of the food guide pyramid

·         What Does '5 A day' Mean? Explore this site to learn how you can get all your fruits and veggies in each day.  You can find out what makes a serving size, and get some new ideas for different kinds of fruits and vegetables to eat.

·         5 A day: The Color Way  You can print any or all of these guides to help you in completing your webquest.  You can get more ideas for different fruits and vegetables.  Take the 5 A Day challenge for some extra credit!  Note: If you want to complete the 5 A Day challenge, you must complete this on your own.  BUT, you can talk about how you are doing with your partner!

Phase 2 - Looking Deeper from Different Perspectives

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Individuals or pairs from your larger WebQuest team will explore one of the roles below.

2. Read through the files linked to your group. If you print out the files, underline the passages that you feel are the most important. If you look at the files on the computer, copy sections you feel are important by dragging the mouse across the passage and copying / pasting it into a word processor or other writing software.

3. Note: Remember to write down or copy/paste the URL of the file you take the passage from so you can quickly go back to it if you need to to prove your point.

4. Be prepared to focus what you've learned into one main opinion that answers the Big Quest(ion) or Task based on what you have learned from the links for your role.

Identify the positive benefits of a healthy diet.

Explore the various websites listed below to complete a one paragraph report in which you explain 4 positive benefits of a healthy diet.

·         Nutrition Explorations Learn why a healthy diet is important.  Click on Kid's Panel to learn more about why proper nutrition is important. Click on Activities to play some fun games!  Monster Nutrition will help you to plan a nutritious meal.

·         Kellogg's Nutrition Camp Play some more games to learn about the benefits of a nutritious diet.  You and your partner can play Trivia Trail together.  This will test your knowledge to see what you already know and what you need to learn!  

·         BAM! Explore this site to find out how nutrition can help with stress.  Try clicking on Fit4Life to find out that you really are what you eat.  You can also try the Disease Detectives to learn about healthy habits and preventing illness through nutrition.

The components of a healthy diet.

Explore the various websites listed below to identify and develop your own food guide pyramid including the following information:
1) The 6 food groups
2) 4 foods that would be found in each group
3) Recommended daily servings for each food group

Use these websites, but don't forget about the websites you've already explored.  There is a lot of information on those sites that will help you with this section.  You can draw your food guide pyramid on a piece of paper, or complete it on the computer.  You will explore the websites with your partner, but complete the food guide pyramid on your own.  You may consult your partner if you have any questions.

·         Clueless in the Mall Complete the online scavenger hunt to learn why calcium is so important in your diet.

·         Pear Bear Explore the nutritious benefits of pears.  You can even write to Pear Bear.  Write him a letter asking a well thought out question.  See if he writes back!

·         Nutrition Sleuth Use your detective skills to figure out the missing nutrient! Work with your partner to see how many cases you can figure out the answer. 

·         More on the Food Guide Pyramid Read more about the food guide pyramid.  Play the Food Guide Pyramid Game to test your knowledge.

How is your diet?

Starting today, keep track of EVERYTHING you eat.  If you eat a snack at school, write it down. Include things you eat after school, for dinner, and before bed.  INCLUDE EVERYTHING!  Just write it down, and tomorrow, you will add everything you've eaten to this webpage.  This will tell you how well you are doing!  It will show you how your diet compares to the recommended daily servings. This activity will be completed on your own.  Consult your partner if you have any questions.

·         Track Your Diet  Add everything you ate yesterday to this site.  After you are completed, print out a copy of your food guide pyramid. 

Healthy Recipes to try. 

After exploring the websites below make a list of 3 nutritious recipes that you would like to try. Include the name of the recipe, ingredients needed, and directions for preparation. 

·         The Healthy Refrigerator Find all sorts of yummy, nutritious recipes.

·         The Love Chef  Lots of tasty, simple recipes.        

 

·         Kidnetic  After you click on Kidnetic, click on Recipe Round Up for some great healthy recipes         

     

·         Dole Kid's Cookbook Find recipes for every meal on this website!

Phase 3 - Debating, Discussing, and Reaching Consensus

You must all now answer the Task / Quest(ion). Discuss in small groups your findings that explain the importance of a healthy diet. When finished, share what you learned as a small group with the entire class. You will share one thing that surprised you about nutrition and healthy eating. 

 

Phase 4 - Plan a healthy menu for the week.

            Use all the information you have collected above to plan a healthy menu for 5 days.  Use the 

            five-day menu plan to complete your menu.  Make sure all the food groups are accounted for and in the

            correct number of servings.  You must also include at least one of the recipes that you found.

 

Now's the time to put your learning into a five-day meal plan.

1. Print a copy of the five-day menu plan.

2. Plan and organize one day of meals using the information you have learned on nutrition. Use the food-guide pyramid and vegetable guide as your guide.  Print a copy of each of these to help you in your planning.

 

3.  Remember to include all the food groups!


4. Once you have completed your first day, find a partner and do a partner review to ensure you have started your five-day meal plan correctly. If you have any questions, ask your partner. If you and your partner still have questions after checking the various websites, ask your teacher.

5. Each day of the week you will be responsible for providing a menu for the day. Consult your partner for questions and ideas. You will complete a total of five days of the menu plan.

6. You will present your five-day plan to a small group during class.

 

7.  Self-assessment:  Write a one paragraph paper answering the following prompt:

                

Here is the grade I feel I deserve on this webquest and why.  

 

Use the rubric that was provided in class to help you determine what your grade should be.

If you need assistance, ask your partner to help you.  If you and your partner are not able to figure out the answer to your question, please as the teacher. 

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Conclusion

So is your diet a healthy one? By knowing the five food groups you can plan a healthy diet and use healthy recipes that also taste great! By investigating healthy eating you can provide a nutritious 5-day healthy menu plan for yourself and others to enjoy! Bon Appetite!

 

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Book Recommendations:  Click on the book cover for more info

                                    
Good Enough to Eat  by Lizzy Rockwell
The Edible Pyramid by Loreen Leedy
Eat Healthy, Feel Great by William Sears, Martha Sears, and Christie Watts
The Healthy Body Cookbook by Joan D'Amico
The Food Pyramid by Joan Kalbacken

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