LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Identify and describe eating habits that are both enjoyable and environmentally conscious; describe positive and negative impacts of food choices on the environment.

HEALTH ED STANDARDS

NHES 5: Demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance health. 

CASEL COMPETENCY: Responsible decision-making

KEY VOCAB

environmentalists, greenhouse gas emissions, legumes, spoilage

Lesson Plan: Eat to Save the Planet

SUMMARY:

Did you know that your daily food choices can help the health of our planet? Sink your teeth into this article for a lesson on how to make your diet both earth-friendly and enjoyable. 

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

How can I use my food choices to make a positive impact on the environment while still enjoying what I eat? 

 CLOSE-READING QUESTIONS

  1. Where does plant-based food come from? List at least three sources mentioned in the article. Accept any three: Plant-based foods can come from, vegetables, nuts, grains, and beans.
  2. Describe at least one way mentioned in the article that you can plan to reduce the amount of packaging you use. Accept any of the following: Bring a reusable water bottle and bag when you go out with friends; ask your parents to buy in bulk and then pre-portion your own snacks in reusable containers; make package-free food choices when possible. 
  3. What is the “best by” date, according to what you read?  The “best by” date is a stamp that manufacturers put on food to indicate when the food tastes best. 

 CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS

  1. Is there a club at your school that focuses on reducing food-related waste? If so, explain some initiatives that have come about as a result of that club. If not, explain some earth-friendly initiatives you would like to see implemented. Possible answers: Students are (should be) required to separate organic waste from non-organic waste in the cafeteria and hallways; my school has adopted (should adopt) meatless Mondays; plastic bottles are not (should not be) allowed and bottle filling stations are (should be) available for students; our campus has (should have) a composting area. 
  2. Would some of the habits mentioned in the article be more challenging for you to commit to than others? Explain. Possible answers: No, because it just takes some creativity and planning to eat in environmentally friendly ways; yes because I might not be able to control what my other family members buy or which meals they prepare; yes because I enjoy eating meat a lot and might find it challenging to limit my meat consumption
  3. Do you already practice some of the rules from the article? If so, which ones? If not, explain which rule(s) you think you could commit to adopting.  Answers will vary. 

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

DIGGING DEEPER

NHES 5

CASEL Competency: Responsible decision-making

In this activity, students will have the opportunity to research the growing ZERO WASTE MOVEMENT. Have them search hashtags like #zerowastekitchen and #zerowastefood and share some more ideas for earth-friendly eating!  (Click here to find this Skill Builder.)

EXTENSION ACTIVITY

NHES 5

CASEL Competency: Responsible decision-making; self-management 

Have your students take action by accepting the #ZEROWASTECHALLENGE, where they’ll choose one or two earth-friendly tips they learned from the article (or from their own research) to put into practice for a week. Consider offering particularly motivated students the option of documenting their challenge on social media! (Click here to find this Skill Builder.)

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