Pyramid Cafe®

Go for the Grain Group

Grade Level: 2nd Grade / Primary Elementary
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Go for the Grain Group
Students learn that Grain Group foods give them energy for learning and playing. They discover how grain becomes a food and identify Grain Group foods they like to eat. Finally, they help Muffin Go-more get ready for the Bake Sale Day at the Pyramid Cafe®.

• Name at least three foods in the Grain Group
• State how Grain Group foods help keep them healthy
• Explain the sequence in which grain grows and is transformed into food
• Classify Grain Group foods according to personal criteria

• Go for the Grain Group PDF worksheet (1 per student)
• Grain Group Food Cards PDF worksheet (1 per student) Save class time by having students prepare the Food Cards as homework.
  
• Markers or crayons; scissors
• Food Card Sort PDF worksheet (1 per student)
• My Nutritious Food Picks PDF worksheet (1 per student)
• Bake Sale Day at the Pyramid Cafe PDF assessment (1 per student) Decide whether to use it as homework, seat work or a test
• Props for "From Wheat Seed to Bread" activity step
  • Wheat seeds in a zipper-type bag. Or substitute any kind of seed such as bird or grass seed.
  • Sheaf of wheat or about 10 strands from a straw broom together with a ribbon.
  • 2-3 tablespoons flour in a zipper-type bag
  • Slice of bread or a small loaf of bread
  • Picture of the sun
• Pyramid Cafe® materials folder (1 per student)

• Begin with a review of the foods and health benefits of the Milk, Meat, Vegetable and Fruit Groups. Ask:
  • What food group builds strong bones and teeth? (Milk Group) What foods are in the Milk Group?
  • What group builds strong muscles? (Meat Group) What foods are in the Meat Group?
  • What food groups help eyes see in the dark? (Vegetable Group) What foods are in the Vegetable Group?
  • What food group helps the body heal cuts and bruises? (Fruit Group). What foods are in the Fruit Group?
• Tell students they are going to learn about the Grain Group, which gives the body energy. Name some of students' favorite activities. As you name each activity, have them show you with their hands if they think the activity uses a little or a lot of energy.
• Tell the class that their bodies use energy 24 hours a day. Distribute the Go for the Grain Group worksheet. Explain that Muffin Go-more says foods in the Grain Group give you energy for learning and playing.
• Read the title, Muffin's quote, and the "Grain Group Foods" section. Have students identify the Grain Group foods pictured. Ask students to put their fingers on the "planting seeds" picture and follow along as our read the "Wheat to Bread" section aloud.
• When you have finished, give five students the seeds, wheat sheaf, flour, bread and the picture of the sun. Have students arrange themselves in sequence to show the steps from wheat seed to bread. (Sun-seeds-wheat sheaf-flour-bread.) Have one or two students describe the process in their own words.
• Read the rest of the worksheet aloud including "Muffin's Good Health Tip."
• Distribute and review the Grain Group Food Cards worksheet. Have students color and cut their cards. Direct students to sort their Food Cards using the Food Card Sort worksheet (See Meet the Milk Group, Step 5).
  

  Optional: If you brought in a loaf of bread, offer students a little taste.

Assessment

• Distribute and have students complete the Bake Sale Day at the Pyramid Cafe® worksheet.
• Review and have students make any necessary corrections.

Going Further
Food Group Collages
Create an "Enjoy Your Grains in Many Way" bulletin board. Have students bring in clean, empty packages from Grain Group foods to attach to the board. Create a new collage each week featuring the food groups: Milk, Meat, Vegetable and Fruit. Or create collages on poster board and display them in the hallways or the cafeteria.

Note: PDF documents require the Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, click here to download a free copy.

Note: This activity is from the Pyramid Cafe® student workbook. Pyramid Cafe® is available from your local dairy council. Click here for contact information.

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