Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 1

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• This lesson introduces Grade 1 learners to the fundamental principles of healthy eating. In South Africa, where children have access to a wide variety of both nutritious, home-grown foods and processed, sugary snacks, it is vital to build a strong foundation of healthy habits from a young age. This lesson moves beyond simply telling learners what to eat; it aims to empower them with the 'why' behind healthy choices. By understanding that food is fuel for their bodies—for playing soccer, for learning to read, and for growing strong—they can begin to make conscious, positive decisions. We will use a simple, memorable framework of 'Go, Grow, and Glow' foods, linking them to local South African examples like pap (Go), chicken or beans (Grow), and morogo or mangoes (Glow). This helps make the concepts relevant and relatable to their daily lives.
• By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:
• Identify and sort common foods into 'healthy' and 'unhealthy' categories.
• Name the three simple food groups: 'Go', 'Grow', and 'Glow' foods.
• Explain the function of each food group in simple terms (e.g., 'Go foods give me energy to play').

Lesson summary

This lesson introduces Grade 1 learners to the fundamental principles of healthy eating. In South Africa, where children have access to a wide variety of both nutritious, home-grown foods and processed, sugary snacks, it is vital to build a strong foundation of healthy habits from a young age. This lesson moves beyond simply telling learners what to eat; it aims to empower them with the 'why' behind healthy choices. By understanding that food is fuel for their bodies—for playing soccer, for learning to read, and for growing strong—they can begin to make conscious, positive decisions.

Lesson notes

Concept 1: Healthy Foods vs. Unhealthy Foods What are healthy foods? Healthy foods are like the best fuel for our bodies. They are super-foods that help us in three amazing ways: They help us grow strong: Just like a building needs strong bricks, our bodies need healthy food to build strong bones and muscles.

They give us energy: Energy is what lets us run, jump, play with our friends, and even think hard in class. Healthy foods are full of good energy that lasts a long time.

They keep us from getting sick: Healthy foods are packed with vitamins that act like tiny shields, protecting our bodies from germs that can cause colds and flu. Examples of healthy foods common in South Africa: Fruits: Apples, bananas, oranges, mangoes, guavas, grapes.

Vegetables: Carrots, spinach (morogo), broccoli, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, tomatoes.

Proteins: Chicken, fish, eggs, beans, lentils, milk, maas.

Grains: Brown bread, pap, rice, oats. What are unhealthy foods (or 'Sometimes Foods')? Unhealthy foods are often called 'sometimes foods' because we should only eat them sometimes, as a special treat. They are usually very high in sugar and unhealthy fats. While they might taste very yummy, they don't give our bodies the good things they need. If we eat too many 'sometimes foods', they can: Make us feel tired and grumpy after a short burst of energy. Be bad for our teeth, causing cavities. Make it harder for our bodies to stay healthy. Examples of 'sometimes foods' common in South Africa: Sweets, chocolates, and lollipops. Packets of chips (slap tjips and packet chips). Fizzy drinks and sugary juices. Cakes, biscuits, and sweet pastries like koeksisters. Very oily fried foods like some vetkoek. Why is this important? Choosing more healthy foods than 'sometimes foods' helps our bodies and brains work their best every single day!

Concept 2: The Three Food Groups: Go, Grow, and Glow To make it easy to remember what to eat, we can put food into three teams or groups.

GO Foods (Energy Givers)

What they do: These foods give you ENERGY to GO! They are the 'running and playing' foods. They help you think in class and stay active all day.

How it works: They are full of carbohydrates, which your body uses as its main fuel, like petrol for a car.

Examples: Pap, bread (especially brown bread), rice, oats, potatoes, sweet potatoes, pasta.

GROW Foods (Body Builders)

What they do: These foods help your body GROW. They build strong muscles for running and strong bones for jumping. They also help to heal you if you get a cut or a scrape.

How it works: They are full of protein, which is the main building block for your body.

Examples: Chicken, meat, fish, eggs, milk, cheese, yoghurt, maas, beans, lentils, nuts. GLOW Foods (Sickness Fighters)

What they do: These foods make you GLOW with health! They help your skin stay healthy, your eyes see clearly, and they fight off germs to stop you from getting sick.

How it works: They are packed with vitamins and minerals, which are like your body's little helpers and protectors.

Examples: All fruits and vegetables! Oranges, apples, bananas, mangoes, spinach (morogo), carrots, broccoli, pumpkin, tomatoes. A healthy meal should have a little bit of each: a GO food, a GROW food, and a GLOW food.

Concept 3: Water is a Super Drink! Water is not a food, but it is the most important drink for our bodies. Our bodies are mostly made of water! We need to drink lots of clean, safe water every day because it: Helps the 'Go, Grow, and Glow' foods get to all the right places in your body. Keeps you cool when you are hot from playing. Helps your brain to think. Keeps your whole body working properly. Why choose water over sugary drinks? Sugary drinks give you a quick burst of energy that disappears fast and they are not good for your teeth. Water gives your body exactly what it needs without any sugar. Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1: The Healthy Food Circle Instructions: The teacher says the name of a food. If it is a healthy food, learners must stand up and make a big circle with their arms. If it is an unhealthy 'sometimes food', they must sit down and cross their arms.

Food List: Apple Lollipop Carrot Fizzy Drink Brown Bread Chips Solution and

Commentary: Apple: Learners should stand up and make a circle.

Commentary: This is correct because an apple is a fruit, a 'Glow' food, full of vitamins that keep us healthy.

Lollipop: Learners should sit down and cross their arms.

Commentary: This is correct. A lollipop is a 'sometimes food' full of sugar, which is not good for our teeth or for long-lasting energy.

Carrot: Learners should stand up and make a circle.

Commentary: Correct! A carrot is a vegetable, a 'Glow' food, that helps our eyes see well.

Fizzy Drink: Learners should sit down and cross their arms.

Commentary: Correct. Fizzy drinks are full of sugar and have no health benefits. Water is a much better choice.

Brown Bread: Learners should stand up and make a circle.

Commentary: Correct!