"Food Fun & Game-tastic Learning!"

1st Grade Project 2 weeks

"Food Fun & Game-tastic Learning!"

Karen Sime

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Purpose

Students will collaboratively design and create simple board games that incorporate elements of healthy and unhealthy foods, fostering an understanding of nutrition through play. This hands-on project encourages creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking as students develop game rules and strategies. The process includes daily reflections in their 'Food Reflection Journal,' allowing students to connect their learning to personal experiences with food and its effects on their well-being.

Learning goals

Students will develop an understanding of healthy and unhealthy foods by creating a board game. They will learn to categorize foods, make informed choices, and articulate their thoughts through the Food Reflection Journal. The project aims to enhance students' collaboration skills as they work in teams to design and play the game, fostering communication and creativity. Additionally, students will practice their drawing and writing skills, expressing their personal experiences and feelings about healthy eating.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.MD.C.4: Organize, represent, and interpret data with up to three categories; ask and answer questions about the total number of data points, how many in each category, and how many more or less are in one category than in another.

Products

Students will collaboratively design and create a simple board game that teaches about healthy and unhealthy foods. Each student will contribute by crafting game pieces and drawing game cards that feature different food items, categorizing them as healthy or not healthy. By the end of the project, students will have a completed board game that they can play together, reinforcing their understanding of nutrition. Additionally, they will maintain a 'Food Reflection Journal' to document their learning journey and personal insights about their food choices.

Launch

Kick off the project with a "Food Adventure Day," where students explore a variety of healthy foods through a taste-testing activity. Set up stations with different fruits, vegetables, and grains, allowing students to sample and discuss their flavors and textures. Encourage students to express their thoughts and preferences by drawing or writing in their Food Reflection Journal. This activity will spark curiosity and set the stage for the board game creation by highlighting the importance of healthy eating.

Exhibition

At the end of the project, students will host a "Healthy Food Game Day" where they present and play their board games with classmates, teachers, and family members. Each student will have a chance to explain the rules and the healthy food choices incorporated into their game. The event will include a display area for students to showcase their Food Reflection Journals, allowing visitors to see the students' personal insights and learning journey. This exhibition will encourage interaction, feedback, and celebration of the students' creativity and understanding of healthy eating.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Activities	Food Adventure Day Introduction - Introduce students to the project by discussing the importance of healthy eating and the goal of creating a board game about nutrition (10 min) Taste Testing Stations - Set up and rotate through taste-testing stations with various fruits, vegetables, and grains, encouraging students to explore flavors and textures (25 min) Food Reflection Journal - Students draw or write about their favorite healthy foods tasted today and describe how they feel after eating them (10 min)	Introduction to Game Design - Discuss the elements of a simple board game, including rules, game pieces, and cards, and how they can incorporate healthy and unhealthy food concepts (15 min) Brainstorm Game Ideas - In small groups, students brainstorm ideas for their board game and decide on a theme related to healthy and unhealthy foods (20 min) Food Reflection Journal - Write about one new thing learned about healthy foods and how it might fit into their game design (10 min)	Game Planning - Groups outline the rules and structure of their board game, focusing on how players will learn about healthy and unhealthy foods (25 min) Creating Game Pieces - Begin designing and crafting game pieces, such as tokens or pawns, that represent different food items (15 min) Food Reflection Journal - Reflect on the game planning process and any challenges or successful ideas they encountered (5 min)	Designing Game Cards - Students create game cards featuring different food items, categorizing them as healthy or unhealthy based on prior discussions (20 min) Collaborative Game Testing - Groups test their board game designs with peers, providing feedback on how the game teaches about healthy eating (20 min) Food Reflection Journal - Document feedback received during game testing and consider any adjustments needed (5 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed initial sketches of the board game design 2. Draft game rules and game pieces created 3. Food Reflection Journal entries documenting taste-testing experience and categorization activity
Preparation	1. Gather a variety of healthy food samples for taste-testing stations 2. Prepare drawing materials and journals for the Food Reflection Journal 3. Collect images or real examples of various foods for the categorization activity 4. Provide paper, markers, scissors, and other crafting materials for creating game components

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Activities	Game Design Review - Students present their initial board game designs to the class and receive peer feedback on their concepts and categorization of foods (20 min) Game Piece Creation - Students work on crafting game pieces and drawing game cards, ensuring each card features a food item categorized as healthy or unhealthy (25 min)	Rules and Strategy Development - Students collaboratively develop and finalize the rules and strategies for their board games, focusing on how players will make healthy eating choices (25 min) Reflection Journal Entry - Students reflect in their Food Reflection Journal on the process of creating game rules and how it relates to making real-life healthy food choices (20 min)	Game Assembly - Students assemble their board games, incorporating all pieces, cards, and game boards into a complete set ready for play (20 min) Test Play Session - Students conduct a test play of their games in small groups, observing gameplay flow and making any necessary adjustments (25 min)	Final Adjustments and Practice - Students make final adjustments to their board games based on feedback from the test play session and practice explaining the game rules (20 min) Exhibition Preparation - Students prepare for the "Healthy Food Game Day" exhibition by organizing their board games and reflection journals for display, and practicing their presentations (25 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed board game that incorporates healthy and unhealthy food concepts, ready for presentation during the 'Healthy Food Game Day' exhibition. 2. Final entries in the 'Food Reflection Journal,' including drawings and thoughts about the board game creation process and personal food choices.
Preparation	1. Gather materials for board game creation, including poster boards, markers, crayons, scissors, glue, and craft supplies for game pieces. 2. Prepare prompts for the 'Food Reflection Journal' focusing on students' experiences with the project and their understanding of healthy foods. 3. Set up the classroom with designated areas for game creation and reflective journaling to facilitate a smooth workflow. 4. Coordinate with families to invite them to the 'Healthy Food Game Day' exhibition and prepare a schedule for students to present their games. 5. Organize any necessary technology or AV equipment to support the exhibition, ensuring students can showcase their board games effectively.