Nutrition Basics

Overview

This 30-minute lesson is designed for Year 4 students (ages 8-9) to understand the fundamental concepts of nutrition, food groups, and how these contribute to a healthy lifestyle. By following the National Curriculum for England, this lesson supports the Science and PSHE framework, enhancing knowledge and decision-making regarding healthy eating.

National Curriculum Links

• Science (Year 4): Animals, including humans
  • Pupils should be taught to:
    • describe the simple functions of the basic parts of the digestive system in humans
    • identify the different types of teeth in humans and their simple functions
    • construct and interpret a variety of food chains, identifying producers, predators and prey
• PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education, non-statutory but recommended)
  • Health and Wellbeing
    • about what constitutes a healthy lifestyle, including diet

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils will:

1. Identify the five main food groups (fruit and vegetables, carbohydrates, proteins, dairy, fats and sugars).
2. Understand each food group’s role in maintaining good health.
3. Recognise the importance of a balanced diet as part of healthy living.

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Resources

• Food group flashcards (pictures and names)
• Visual of the Eatwell Guide simplified for children
• Blank food group sorting mats
• "Nutrition detective" worksheet (categorising example foods)
• Plastic or cardboard food models or pictures
• Whiteboard and markers
• Small prizes (optional)

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Lesson Structure

1. Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Engagement Question:
"Can you name your favourite food and say why you like it?"

• Invite pupils to share.
• Use their answers to introduce different food types casually.
• Display the question on the board and write down the food types named.

2. Introduction to Food Groups (10 minutes)

• Show the five food groups using flashcards and plastic models: Fruit & Vegetables, Carbohydrates, Protein, Dairy, Fats & Sugars.
• Discuss briefly the role of each group using simple language:
  • Fruit & vegetables: vitamins and fibre that keep you strong and healthy
  • Carbohydrates: energy to play and learn
  • Proteins: build muscles and help you grow
  • Dairy: strong bones and teeth
  • Fats & sugars: energy but don’t eat too much!
• Display a simplified Eatwell Guide visual to help pupils see how the groups fit together.

3. Main Activity: Food Sorting Game (10 minutes)

• Provide each pupil with a mat divided into the 5 food group sections and a variety of picture cards or models.
• Pupils work individually or in pairs to sort these foods into the correct groups.
• Walk around to prompt, question, and clarify misconceptions.
• After sorting, discuss as a group why they put some foods in certain groups.
• Highlight any tricky foods like nuts (protein/fats) or sweetened yoghurts.

4. Plenary: Nutrition Detective Quiz (5 minutes)

• Provide the “Nutrition Detective” worksheet with a short food list and simple questions like:
  • Which food group does this belong to?
  • Why is it good for you?
• Review answers together.
• Reinforce the concept of balance by asking: “What might happen if you only ate foods from one group?”

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Assessment

• Formative assessment through observation during the food-sorting activity and discussion.
• Worksheet completion will provide evidence of understanding.
• Use questions in the plenary to check pupils’ grasp of the food groups and nutrition basics.

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Differentiation

• Offer extra support with sorting for pupils with SEND, providing fewer food cards or one-to-one help.
• Challenge advanced learners by introducing questions about portion sizes or the Eatwell Guide proportions.

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Extension Ideas

• Encourage pupils to keep a simple food diary for one day and categorise their meals using the food groups.
• Create a “balanced meal” collage in following lessons using magazines or drawings.

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WOW Factor

Bring the lesson to life with multisensory engagement: use tactile food models, colourful images, and real-life examples relevant to pupils’ everyday eating habits. Turn your classroom into a “Nutrition Detective Agency” where pupils solve the mystery of healthy eating via interactive problem-solving and fun role play. This approach goes beyond traditional lecture and encourages active discovery and personal connection with the topic.

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This lesson is the essential building block of the "Healthy Habits for Life" unit, providing pupils with the foundational knowledge for informed, healthy choices.