Nutrition - Lesson Plan

The lesson plan from The Primary Science Advisory Service Ltd is focused on teaching Year 3 students about nutrition and the importance of a balanced diet. The lesson aims to enhance students' understanding of different nutrient groups and their functions, and how animals, including humans, obtain nutrition from their diet. Students will engage in various activities that include planning investigations, presenting and analysing data, and evaluating investigations with guidance from a skills document and video. They will explore the National Curriculum requirements by learning to identify various nutrient groups, associate foods with these groups, and describe balanced meals. The lesson builds on previous knowledge from Year 2 about the basic needs of animals and humans, and it links to KS2 curriculum topics like the human digestive system and the impact of diet on bodily functions.

Addressing common misconceptions, the lesson plan clarifies that not all fats are harmful and that excessive fruit consumption can lead to health issues due to high sugar content. Students will learn about the nutrient groups, which include proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, fibre, and water, and the role of calories in energy intake. Activities are designed to help students classify foods and understand their nutritional value, with cross-curricular links to subjects like English, Maths, History, and Geography. Health and safety considerations are outlined, ensuring students wear protective equipment during experiments. The lesson includes a practical vitamin C investigation, where students use iodine and starch to test the vitamin C content in fruit juices, and activities to classify animals by their diets. The plenary invites students to design their own nutritious dish, reinforcing their understanding of nutrition and diet.