Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v5 - Grade 3

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Name the 'GO', 'GROW', and 'GLOW' food groups.
• Explain what each food group does for our bodies.
• Sort common South African foods into the correct group.
• Describe a balanced meal.
• Design a simple, healthy lunchbox.

Lesson summary

This lesson introduces Grade 3 learners to the fundamental principles of healthy eating and making wise food choices. In South Africa, where we have a rich variety of foods from pap and samp to morogo and mangoes, understanding what our bodies need is crucial for a healthy life. This topic is vital because good nutrition directly impacts a child's ability to concentrate in class, have energy for sports and play, and fight off common illnesses. By learning about different food groups, learners can start making informed decisions at home, at the school tuck shop, and when sharing meals with friends, setting a foundation for lifelong well-being.

Lesson notes

Our bodies are like amazing machines. To make them work properly, we need to give them the right fuel. This fuel comes from the food we eat! A healthy diet means eating a variety of different foods that give our bodies everything they need to work, learn, and play. We can sort foods into different groups based on what they do for our bodies. The Three Super Food Groups Imagine your body is a superhero. It needs three different kinds of power to be at its best! 'GO' Foods (Carbohydrates)

What they do: These foods give you ENERGY! They are the fuel that helps you run, jump, play, and even think in class. Without 'GO' foods, you would feel tired and weak, like a car with no petrol.

Why we need them: For all physical activity and for our brain to work well. South African

Examples: Pap (Maize Meal): A staple food that gives lots of energy.

Bread: Especially brown bread, is great for sandwiches.

Rice: Another excellent source of energy.

Samp: A classic South African food made from corn kernels.

Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes (Amadumbe): Delicious and full of energy. 'GROW' Foods (Proteins)

What they do: These foods help you GROW! They build and repair your body, making your muscles, bones, and even your hair strong. They are like the bricks used to build a strong house.

Why we need them: For growing taller, building strong muscles, and healing when we get a cut or a scrape. South African

Examples: Chicken and Fish: Great for building a strong body.

Eggs: A powerhouse of 'GROW' nutrients. Milk, Amasi (Maas), and Cheese: Important for strong bones and teeth.

Beans and Lentils: A very healthy and affordable way to get 'GROW' power, used in dishes like umngqusho (samp and beans). 'GLOW' Foods (Vitamins and Minerals)

What they do: These foods make you GLOW with health! They are packed with vitamins and minerals that protect your body from getting sick. They act like a shield, fighting off germs and keeping your skin, hair, and eyes healthy.

Why we need them: To keep our immune system strong so we don't catch colds easily, and to keep our whole body working correctly. South African

Examples: Fruits: Oranges, mangoes, bananas, apples, grapes.

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

Water: The Super Drink! Water is not in a food group, but it is essential for life! Your body needs lots of clean, safe water every day to help the 'GO', 'GROW', and 'GLOW' foods do their jobs. It helps carry nutrients all around your body and keeps you from feeling tired. 'Sometimes' Foods (Fats and Sugars) Some foods are delicious but don't give us much of the good stuff our bodies need. These include sweets, chips, fizzy drinks, and cake. They are high in sugar and unhealthy fats. It's okay to have them as a special treat sometimes, but eating them too often can make you feel tired, cause cavities in your teeth, and make your body unhealthy. Guided Practice (With Solutions)

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

1. Apple | | A. GO | | i. Builds strong muscles. | |

2. Bread | |

B. GROW | | ii. Gives you energy. | |

3. Egg | |

C. GLOW | | iii. Protects you from germs.| Solution 1: Apple →

C. GLOW → iii. Protects you from germs.

Commentary: An apple is a fruit, and fruits are full of vitamins. This makes it a 'GLOW' food that helps keep your body healthy and fight off sickness. Bread →

A. GO → ii. Gives you energy.

Commentary: Bread is made from grains and is a carbohydrate. This makes it a 'GO' food that gives your body the fuel it needs to run and play. Egg →

B. GROW → i. Builds strong muscles.

Commentary: An egg is a protein. This makes it a 'GROW' food that helps your body build and repair itself, making you strong.

Question 2: Sorting a Lunchbox A learner has the following items: a cheese sandwich, a small packet of chips, a banana, and a fizzy drink. Sort these items into a 'Healthy Choice' pile and a 'Sometimes Food' pile.

Solution 2: Healthy Choice Pile: Cheese sandwich Banana Sometimes Food Pile: Small packet of chips Fizzy drink

Commentary: The cheese sandwich contains bread ('GO' food) and cheese ('GROW' food). The banana is a 'GLOW' food. Together, they make a balanced, healthy meal. The chips and fizzy drink are high in salt and sugar and don't provide good nutrients, so they are 'Sometimes Foods'. A better drink choice would be water.

Question 3: Plan a Plate Look at this meal: A large piece of fried chicken, a small spoonful of carrots, and a small white bread roll. How can we make this meal healthier and more balanced?

Solution 3: Analysis: The plate has: Chicken ('GROW'), Carrots ('GLOW'), and a Roll ('GO'). It has all three groups, but the balance is not perfect.

How to improve it: Add more 'GLOW' food: Increase the portion of carrots or add another vegetable like morogo or a tomato salad.