Healthy Eating Posters

Lesson Overview

Year Level: Year 2
Subject: Health
Duration: 50 minutes
Content Descriptor: Ways health messages are communicated in the media and how they can influence personal health choices, such as 'slip, slop, slap' (ACPPS021)

Learning Objectives

• Understand how health messages are communicated and their impact on personal choices.
• Identify key messages about healthy eating in the media.
• Create a Healthy Eating Poster that conveys a clear and impactful health message.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of different media strategies in promoting health.

Australian Curriculum Alignment

This lesson aligns with the Year 2 Health and Physical Education curriculum, focusing on developing students' ability to make informed health choices by understanding messages communicated through media.

Materials Required

• Poster paper or large A3 sheets (one per student)
• Coloured markers, crayons, and pencils
• Magazines and newspapers with advertisements
• Glue sticks and scissors
• Examples of health campaigns (e.g., “Slip, Slop, Slap” materials)
• Access to audio-visual equipment for showing video clips (optional)

Lesson Structure

Introduction (10 minutes)

1. Hook: Media Scavenger Hunt

   • Begin the lesson by asking students what they see in commercials or on posters about health. Discuss briefly.
   • Use some magazine and newspaper cuttings to show students examples of health messages. Highlight how these messages can influence personal choices, using "Slip, Slop, Slap" as a starting point.

2. Explain the Task

   • Introduce the task: creating a Healthy Eating Poster that encourages people to make healthy food choices.
   • Discuss the components of an effective poster: a clear message, attractive visuals, and truthful information.

Main Activity (30 minutes)

1. Group Brainstorming (5 minutes)

   • Divide the class into small groups.
   • Each group discusses healthy foods they like to eat and examines an example health message (provided by the teacher). They brainstorm visual ideas for their individual posters.

2. Designing the Posters (20 minutes)

   • Students return to their desks and begin creating their posters. Encourage them to use bold colours and clear messages.
   • Walk around, guiding students, offering suggestions, and ensuring they link visuals to the health message clearly.

3. Sharing Time (5 minutes)

   • Once most students have completed their posters, select a few to share with the class. Discuss the health messages chosen and the impact of media designs.

Conclusion (10 minutes)

1. Reflective Discussion

   • Ask students questions such as: What makes a health message memorable? How do media strategies influence your thinking?
   • Reinforce the importance of making healthy choices and recognizing media influences.

2. Wrap-Up

   • Compliment students on their creativity.
   • Highlight any strong examples and talk briefly about how these posters could be displayed around the school to promote healthy eating.

Assessment

• Formative Assessment: Observe student participation during group discussions and design activities. Provide feedback on their ability to identify, communicate, and critique health messages.
• Poster Evaluation: Assess completed posters based on originality, clarity of message, visual impact, and understanding of media influence on health choices.

Extension Activity

For students needing more of a challenge, provide an option to create a digital version of their poster using a simple graphic design tool they can access on classroom tablets.

By crafting this lesson with enriching activities and thoughtful discussions, teachers can effectively engage Year 2 students in understanding the impact of media on health choices and hone their creative communication skills.