Short description of activity: Use the RiseVT MyTray poster for students to draw or collage their favorite meal, or a balanced meal they would eat in the cafeteria.

Type of activity: Food and Nutrition

Minimum Time Needed for Activity: 30 minutes +

Grade Level: K – 4th

Subject Area: Food and Nutrition, Health

Materials:

• Print the RiseVT MyTray poster on tabloid- or legal-sized paper.
• If collaging or drawing, set out supplies appropriate to that class. 
  • Magazines, grocery store advertisements, pictures students take and print.
• Glue, scissors, colored pencils, markers, etc.

Set up:

1. Review the six food groups (Fruits, Vegetables, Dairy, Protein, Grains, Sometimes) and discuss examples of each.
   • Use literature connections (see Bibliography).
   • Use MyPlate Curriculum.  
2. Distribute materials to each student with the prompt “make a healthy meal with foods from the healthy food groups.”

Play:

1. Have students partner share or share with the class what items they chose for their tray. 
   • If drawn, help students label what items they drew.

Variations:

• Change prompt to:
  • “Favorite meal,” 
  • “Foods you would like to try,”
  • “If you were cooking the meal, what would you make?”
• Laminate the page to be used as a placemat. Include information from www.myplate.gov or Serving Up MyPlate

Standards:

ELA Standards > Speaking and Listening > Comprehension and Collaboration; Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas

Health Education Standards: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7

National Core Arts Standards: 1, 3, 4, 5