Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 2

Lesson Video

This page supports the lesson note with a companion video and a short classroom-ready summary.

For class groups and homework, share this lesson page so learners also get the summary, objectives, and full lesson context.

Performance objectives

• This lesson introduces Grade 2 learners to the concept of healthy eating by categorizing foods into three simple, memorable groups: Go, Grow, and Glow foods. Understanding these food groups is fundamental for making healthy choices every day. In South Africa, where learners have access to a wide variety of foods—from pap and samp to morogo, amasi, and fresh fruits—this knowledge empowers them to build strong bodies and sharp minds. By learning to identify which foods give them energy to play, which help them grow tall, and which protect them from getting sick, they are building a foundation for a lifetime of good health. This lesson makes nutrition practical and relevant by using examples of foods they eat at home, in their lunchboxes, and see in their local communities.
• Learning Objectives:
• By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:
• Identify and name the three main food groups: Go, Grow, and Glow.
• Sort pictures of common South African foods (e.g., pap, chicken, oranges, beans) into the correct food group.

Lesson summary

This lesson introduces Grade 2 learners to the concept of healthy eating by categorizing foods into three simple, memorable groups: Go, Grow, and Glow foods. Understanding these food groups is fundamental for making healthy choices every day. In South Africa, where learners have access to a wide variety of foods—from pap and samp to morogo, amasi, and fresh fruits—this knowledge empowers them to build strong bodies and sharp minds. By learning to identify which foods give them energy to play, which help them grow tall, and which protect them from getting sick, they are building a foundation for a lifetime of good health.

Lesson notes

This lesson simplifies nutrition into three easy-to-understand food groups. Our bodies are like amazing machines, and just like a car needs the right fuel, our bodies need the right foods to work properly. The Three Food Groups GO Foods (Carbohydrates for Energy)

What they are: These are foods that give our bodies energy. Think of them as the 'petrol' for your body. They help you run, jump, play, and even concentrate in class.

Why we need them: Without Go foods, you would feel tired and weak. We need this energy from the moment we wake up until we go to sleep. South African

Examples: Pap (Maize Meal): A staple in many South African homes. It gives long-lasting energy.

Bread: Brown bread and wholewheat bread are excellent choices.

Rice: Another great source of energy often served with stews.

Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes (Amadumbe): We love these boiled, mashed, or roasted.

Samp and Beans: Gives both energy and strength.

Breakfast Cereal: Like mabele porridge or oats. GROW Foods (Proteins for Building)

What they are: These are foods that help our bodies grow strong. They build our muscles, bones, and teeth. Think of them as the 'building blocks' for your body, like bricks for a house.

Why we need them: As a Grade 2 learner, you are growing all the time! Grow foods help you get taller and stronger. They also help your body repair itself if you get a cut or a scrape. South African

Examples: Chicken and Meat (Vleis): Often part of a main meal.

Fish: Like hake or snoek.

Eggs: A fantastic and affordable Grow food. Milk, Maas (Amasi), and Yoghurt: These make your bones and teeth strong because of calcium.

Beans and Lentils: Often found in dishes like chakalaka or bean stew.

Peanut Butter: A favourite on bread. GLOW Foods (Vitamins & Minerals for Health)

What they are: These are our fruits and vegetables. They are filled with vitamins and minerals that make our bodies 'glow' with health. They act like a shield, protecting us from getting sick.

Why we need them: Glow foods help keep our skin smooth, our eyes bright, and our immune systems strong to fight off coughs and colds. They keep our insides clean and working well. South African

Examples: Vegetables: Morogo (wild spinach), cabbage, carrots, pumpkin, butternut, tomatoes, and onions.

Fruits: Oranges, bananas, apples, mangoes, guavas, and grapes. Building a Healthy Plate A healthy, balanced meal is not about eating only one type of food. It's about combining foods from all three groups on one plate. Imagine your plate is divided into three parts: A portion of GO food: For energy.

A portion of GROW food: For strength.

A good helping of GLOW food: For protection.

Example of a Healthy South African Meal: A plate with: A scoop of pap (GO) Two pieces of grilled chicken (GROW) A large spoonful of cabbage and carrot salad (GLOW) This meal gives you everything your body needs! Guided Practice (With Solutions)

Question 1: Food Group Match-Up Draw a line to match the food to its correct food group. | Food | | Food Group | |-------------|---|------------| |

1. Banana | |

A. Go | |

2. Bread | |

B. Grow | |

3. Egg | |

C. Glow | Solution 1: Banana →

C. Glow: A banana is a fruit. Fruits are Glow foods because they are full of vitamins that help us stay healthy and fight sickness. Bread →

A. Go: Bread is made from flour (grain) and gives us carbohydrates for energy to play and learn. It is a Go food. Egg →

B. Grow: An egg is a protein. It helps build our muscles and helps our bodies grow strong. It is a Grow food.

Question 2: Analyse the Lunchbox Look at the picture of this lunchbox. It has a cheese sandwich, a small bunch of grapes, and a bottle of water. Identify the Go, Grow, and Glow foods.

Solution 2: Go Food: The bread for the sandwich. It provides energy for the afternoon.

Grow Food: The cheese in the sandwich. Cheese is made from milk and helps build strong bones and teeth.

Glow Food: The grapes. They are a fruit that provides vitamins to keep the body healthy.

Commentary: This is a good, balanced lunchbox because it has something from every group. The water is also a very healthy drink choice!

Question 3: Fix the Meal Sipho is eating a plate with only rice and potatoes. Why is this not a fully balanced meal? What could he add to make it healthier?

Solution 3: Problem: Sipho's meal has two Go foods (rice and potatoes). He has lots of energy, but he is missing foods to help him grow and glow. A meal needs all three groups to be balanced.

Solution: To make it healthier, Sipho could add: A Grow food, like some chicken pieces, a few meatballs, or some beans. A Glow food, like a side salad with tomatoes and cucumber, or some cooked carrots and peas.

Commentary: By adding a Grow and a Glow food, Sipho turns his energy-only meal into a super-meal that helps his whole body. Independent Practice (Questions Only) Circle all the Glow foods in the list below: Apple, Bread, Milk, Carrot, Fish, Cabbage Draw a line to connect the food group to what it does for your body.