Grade 7

August 19, 2024

Key Concepts for Student Learning

Classroom Activites and Lesson Ideas

Curriculum
Grade 7

HPE Curriculum Healthy Eating Strand

D2.1 Demonstrate the ability to develop healthier eating patterns, using information about the role that different foods play as contributing or preventive factors in a variety of health disorders

D2.3 Explain how preoccupation with body image or athletic performance can contribute to harmful or problematic eating habits and substance use and demonstrate the ability to make informed choices about caring for their bodies

D3.1 Demonstrate an understanding of personal and external factors that affect people’s food choices and eating habits and identify ways of encouraging healthier eating practices

Share

Key Concepts for Student Learning

  • There are multiple factors that influence our health including food and eating.
  • There are multiple factors that influence our food choices and eating behaviours.
  • All nutrients are important and different foods provide a variety of nutrients. Lack of certain nutrients can cause health problems. For example, if we don’t get enough vitamin C, we can get scurvy, or if we don’t eat enough iron, we can get iron-deficiency. Getting enough vitamin D and calcium helps to support our bones and teeth.
  • Be critical of the influence the media has on how we feel about food and our body. Consider who benefits from this messaging and if the information has a credible source.
  • We need to eat regularly and consistently throughout the day, which includes 3 meals and snacks, to support growth and development and to help us to have the energy we need to do the activities we enjoy.

Note: Teaching students about eating disorders or disordered eating behaviours is not safe. Discussing dieting, disordered eating behaviours, and/or eating disorders can intensify students’ preoccupation with weight and shape and potentially lead them to experiment with unhealthy and dangerous weight control methods.

Learn More: Diet Culture: How it’s Harmful to Kids and What Educators can do to Help – Nüton (nuton.ca)

NOTE: Educators should be aware that food guide messages may not be appropriate for all students including those who are neurodivergent and/or have health, sensory or other exceptional needs that impact their relationship with food and eating. SMHO Resource on Mental Health Promotion at Schools: Classroom Considerations – Supporting Mental Wellness Amongst Students with Special Education Needs offers tips that can be applied to support learning about food and eating at school.

Classroom Activities and Lesson Ideas

  • Explore the connection between nutrients and health conditions (e.g., vitamin C prevents scurvy, vitamin D prevents rickets)
    • How do we get vitamin C? Vitamin D?
    • Brainstorm barriers to getting enough of those nutrients (e.g., living in Canada impacting sun exposure and ability to get vitamin D)
    • Be aware of not moralizing or demonizing any particular nutrient.
  • Provide opportunities for experiential learning (cooking) in the classroom – see Cook It Up for ideas and additional resources
  • Classroom discussion: Brainstorm with your students what society’s appearance ideals (diet culture) are.  As a group, discuss where and when you might experience this.  What are the effects of diet culture on us as individuals and as a society? How does it make you feel?  Do people in the media reflect the diversity of your community?  
  • Class Discussion: How does society influence what foods you want to eat?
  • Case Studies (free download) – Examine personal and external factors that influence people’s food and beverages choices (Nutrition Education and Consulting)