Healthy Eating Intro

Age Group

Year 6 (10-11 years old)

Duration

45 minutes

Class Size

2 students

National Curriculum Links

Subject: Design and Technology (Cooking and Nutrition)
Relevant Programmes of Study:

Understand and apply the principles of a healthy and varied diet [DfE, 2014]
Prepare and cook a variety of predominantly savoury dishes using a range of cooking techniques
Understand seasonality, and know where and how a variety of ingredients are grown, reared, caught and processed
English (Reading & Writing integration):
Comprehension skills such as retrieving and summarising information (KS2 English)
Writing for different purposes including reflection and explanation

Lesson Title

Introduction to Healthy Eating and Literacy Skills

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Identify key components of a heart-healthy diet (e.g., fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats).
Understand the role of cholesterol-lowering foods in maintaining heart health.
Demonstrate literacy skills by reading a short text and writing a reflective paragraph about healthy foods.

Success Criteria

Students can list at least 3 components of a healthy diet.
Students complete a quiz that reflects on their current eating habits.
Students write a clear and coherent paragraph explaining cholesterol-lowering foods, showing understanding and personal reflection.

Resources

Quiz sheet with simple, age-appropriate questions on eating habits (also available as a dyslexia-friendly version with coloured backgrounds and larger font).
Short text about heart-healthy foods and cholesterol (simplified version and detailed version for differentiation).
Visual aids: pictures of foods categorised as healthy vs less healthy.
Writing materials (lined paper optionally with coloured overlays).

Lesson Outline

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

Brief conversation starter: "What do you know about healthy eating?"
Show pictures of various foods; ask students to sort them into “healthy” and “less healthy” groups using the visual aids.
Connect to the unit’s theme: “Healthy Cooking Adventures” and mention the focus on heart health and cholesterol today.

2. Quiz - Assessing Eating Habits (10 minutes)

Provide the quiz sheet (offer dyslexia-friendly version if needed).
Students independently complete the quiz, ticking answers or circling options reflecting their typical food choices.
Teacher circulates to support and clarify any questions.

3. Reading Activity - Heart-Healthy Foods (10 minutes)

Provide short text on cholesterol and heart-healthy foods in two versions: standard and simplified.
Students read individually or aloud with teacher support depending on need.
Use coloured overlays or reading rulers as needed.
After reading, discuss key points orally to reinforce understanding.

4. Writing Task - Reflection on Cholesterol-Lowering Foods (15 minutes)

Students write a short paragraph answering: “Why are cholesterol-lowering foods important? Which foods from today’s text would you like to eat more of, and why?”
Encourage use of key vocabulary given during the reading and discussion (e.g., cholesterol, fibre, nuts, oats, fruit).

5. Plenary and Sharing (5 minutes)

Students read their reflections aloud or share with each other.
Teacher provides positive feedback linked to success criteria.
Set the stage for next lessons in the unit by previewing food preparation activities to come.

Differentiation Strategies

Learner Type	Strategy
Visual Learners	Use images and colour-coded materials; visual sorting activity
Dyslexic Learners	Provide dyslexia-friendly printouts; coloured overlays; oral reading support
EAL/Lower Literacy	Use simplified text; provide vocabulary lists with pictures
Advanced Learners	Challenge to add additional healthy foods to their quiz answers and write a longer reflection, including benefits of nutrients

Extension Activities (For Advanced Learners)

Research a cholesterol-lowering food and prepare a mini presentation on how it benefits heart health.
Create a simple poster to encourage healthy eating in school.
Write a short recipe including at least three heart-healthy ingredients.

Assessment

Formative assessment through:

Observation during sorting and discussion activities.
Review of quiz responses to identify understanding of own eating habits.
Evaluation of written reflections against success criteria (use simple rubrics: clarity, content, vocabulary).

Teacher Notes

Encourage open dialogue to help students express their thoughts on their eating habits honestly without judgement.
Ensure that all reading and writing materials are clear and accessible, using assistive tools where needed.
Link literacy explicitly to technology by explaining that good cooking starts with understanding facts and communicating clearly—key life skills.

This lesson sets a strong foundation for the "Healthy Cooking Adventures" unit through balanced literacy and health education, fully aligned with the National Curriculum for England.

Teaching Instructions