Kitchen Chemistry

kitchen chemistry

Lesson Title Grade Lesson Time Prep Time Space Needed Lesson Summary
Acids and Bases 3 - 7 15 min 5 min A demo table Children will engage in a conversation about what acids and bases are, followed by a brief demonstration of an acid and base reaction.
Kitchen Lava Lamp 3 - 7 15 - 20 min 5 min A demo table Make a homemade lava lamp to learn about the properties of water and how emulsions work.
Protein Reactions 3 - 7 15 min 10 min A demo table Predict and observe how egg whites react when various substances are added to them.

Nutrition Education

nutrition education

Lesson Title Grade Lesson Time Prep Time Space Needed Lesson Summary
Common Snacks and Servings K - 5 10 min 10 min Kitchen or area with tables Children will explore portion and serving sizes of common snack foods.
Eat Local and in Season K - 5 Varies Varies A garden or farm Children will explore what it means to eat local and in season and why it is important.
Food Group Relay K - 5 15 min 15 min Field In a relay race, children match different food items with the correct food group.
How Much Sugar in Your Drink? K - 5 20 min 5 min Any Children learn to read the nutrition facts label to determine the sugar content of common beverages and explore healthier beverage choices.
MyPlate Discovery K - 5 20 - 30 min 5 min Area with tables Children will learn about MyPlate and how to group foods using MyPlate.
MyPlate Jeopardy K - 5 20 - 30 min 20 - 30 min Any Children will learn more about the different MyPlate food groups while playing a fun game of Jeopardy.
MyPlate Memory K - 5 20 min 5 min Room for children to sit and see the food items A simple memory game that reinforces MyPlate food groups and balanced meals.
MyPlate Obstacle Course K - 5 5 minutes per child 5 min Field Children will give directions to help one blindfolded child find and place a food into the correct food group on an obstacle course.
Nutrition Facts Label Detectives K - 5 30 minutes None Space for children and staff to sit in large circle Children will learn to read the nutrition facts label and practice critical thinking skills to decipher how food manufacturers market their products to kids.
Nutrition Twister K - 5 30 min 5 min Flat surface to lay Twister mat Children learn basic nutrition concepts while playing the game of Twister.

Backyard Science

backyard science

Lesson Title Grade Lesson Time Prep Time Space Needed Lesson Summary
All About Worms K - 5 1 - 1.5 hours 30 min Garden; gathering space Three part lesson in which children hunt for worms, discuss their habitats, and have a worm race.
Bug Motel 2 - 5 30 min 15 - 30 min Garden area; preferably a shady spot Children build a fun habitat for invertebrates and observe them in the garden.
Bug Traps K - 5 20 min 5 min Garden Using their knowledge of insect habitat preferences, children create “pit-fall” traps to observe and identify insects.
Cob Creature Houses K - 5 30 min 15 min Flat, outdoor work surface Children will create houses for garden insects and other creatures using a natural building material called cob, made out of clay, sand, and straw.
Color me Carrots K - 2 20 min 10 min Flat, stable work surface Use fresh garden plants to demonstrate how water flows in a plant.
Ladybug Release K - 5 20 min 5 - 10 min Garden Learn how some garden insects are beneficial and others are detrimental to the garden. Explore this relationship with live ladybugs and aphids in the garden.
Seed Starts in a Mini Planter K - 5 10 - 15 min 10 min Flat, stable work surface Use old newspapers to create mini planters and start seeds at home.
Spiders are a Garden’s Friend K - 5 25 min 10 min Garden Children talk about the benefits of spiders in our garden, and then explore spiders up close.
Strawberry Bottles 3 - 5 45 min 30 min Flat, stable work surface Children set up self-watering containers to grow a strawberry plant start, and observe them throughout the week.

Physical Activity Games

physical activity

Lesson Title Grade Lesson Time Prep Time Space Needed Lesson Summary
Food Group Relay K - 5 15 min 15 min Field In a relay race, children match different food items with the correct food group.
Food Tag K - 5 10 min 2 min Field Children get plenty of physical activity with this fun and engaging version of tag based on food preferences.
Relay Trivia K - 5 25 - 30 min 5 min Field Children will answer physical activity, nutrition, and garden-related questions during this fun and active relay.

Arts and Crafts

arts and crafts

Lesson Title Grade Lesson Time Prep Time Lesson Summary
Garden Treasures K – 5 20 – 30 min 5 min Children take home a “piece of the garden” by creating crafts out of flowers, herbs, produce, etc.
Veggie Stamps Planters K – 5 20+ min 5 min Children create a small planter using recycled materials and decorate it with potato stamps.