Healthy Habits – Eating

Healthy Habits – Eating

Three lessons were developed at Jonathan Elementary School by Suzan Petersen and with Pam Slack at Chaska Elementary to assist 6th grade students in learning to use the decision-making model to promote healthy behaviors, to prevent or reduce the risk of unhealthy behaviors, and to select foods that contribute to a healthy diet. The lessons are designed to be delivered in a 30-minute period.

Lesson one’s objective is to Identify Healthy Eating Habits and to make a menu for that day. Lesson two is on Eating Disorders. This lesson could involve more time and more lessons depending on your needs. The lesson is divided into three parts. Part one –Why? Points to consider are: Society, Parents, Self-Worth, Feminine/Masculine, and Distorted Body Image. Part two - What Happens Physically? – Starvation (effects and characteristics), Moods and Depression. Part three is on Signs and Symptoms. The third lesson is on Body Image/Wellness. Part one is an activity that involves looking into a mirror and a worksheet titled Looking Out Looking In. Part two is listing "Personal Qualities" on the white board. Part three is going over the fact sheets from Methodist Hospital of Minnesota and having a discussion.
Lesson one goes as follows:
Objective:
The students will be able to identify healthy eating habits and make a menu for at least one day.
Need:
Paper
Overhead of "Foods I Eat Often"
Pencils

Introduction:
*Brainstorm habits that are healthy and those that are not healthy.
*Do the overhead of "Foods I eat often".
*Pair together with a partner and share – give each other suggestions on how to change.
Suggestions: eating, exercise, hygiene, behavior, and attitude.

Closure:
Share with the class changes you are willing to make.
Discuss the benefits of making these changes.
Create a healthy menu for one day.

Connections to the Profiles of Learning

Healthy Habits – Eating directly relates to the Minnesota Graduation Standards Number 8 – Decision-Making under Personal Health and Nutrition. All of the lessons for Healthy Habits – Eating are reflective of the Educational and Guidance Development domains of the Minnesota School Counselors’ Model of Developmental Guidance and Counseling.