Chef Combo®

Red and Pink

Valentines

Take-A-Taste Activities

Grade Level: Pre-k / K
Rating:

Synopis:
This activity is perfect for Valentine's Day! Students brainstorm the names of red and pink foods (or identify pictures of red and pink foods) and then take a taste of one or more nutritious red or pink foods.

Activity Objectives:
Students will be able to:

• Identify and taste one or more nutritious red or pink foods
• State how the foods keep their bodies healthy
• Complete a "Heart Chart" by placing heart cut outs next to "Like It," "Don't Like It," or "Didn't Taste," and discuss the results.

Material and Advance Prep:

• A red or pink valentine
• Pictures of red or pink foods
• Use this chart to decide which red or pink food children will be available for students to taste
• Whole food for each food being tasted (e.g. whole red pepper or a carton of yogurt) and enough "tasting-size" servings for the class
• Photocopy and cut out the Heart blackline master PDF - 1 for each student for each food tasted
  
• Crayons or markers
• Tape
• Create a Tasting Chart for each food being tasted
• Napkins and utensils for food(s) being tasted
• Tasting Passports PDF
• Tasting Chart
• Stickers or rubber stamp for Tasting Passports
• Optional: Print and photocopy Food Matters Family Newsletter PDF (1 per student)

What to Do:

1. Hold up a valentine and ask students what it is. Ask:
   • Who has received a valentine?
   • Who gives you valentines?
   • What color is this valentine?
   • What colors are most valentines?
2. Point out that two valentine colors are red and pink. Some of the foods that help keep us healthy are red and pink foods. Ask for students to name some foods that are red and then some foods that are pink. Or show students four or five Food Models or pictures of red or pink foods. Have them tell which foods are red, which ones are pink, and if possible, name each food.
3. Tell students that for Valentine's Day they are going to taste one (two or three) pink and/or red foods. Show children each food to be tasted in its entirety and identify it. For example, a whole carton of yogurt, a bunch of grapes, or a whole red bell pepper.
4. Distribute a paper heart to each student. Help children print their names on the hearts.
5. Have children wash their hands and briefly discuss why they need to wash them before working with food.
6. Show the children the foods they are going to taste again, only this time have them tell you the name of the food. Then:
   • Tell the children how the food keeps their bodies healthy (refer to Red and Pink Food Chart).
   • Take a taste of the food and let children know that you like it. (Make sure you choose foods you like!)
   • Offer a taste-size serving of the food to each child.
   • Allow children to taste the food. If a child chooses not to taste it, let them know that it's okay.
   • Optional: To enhance language development, ask students to think of words to describe the foods they tasted. For example, smooth, juicy, crunchy, etc.
7. After children have tasted their food, complete the Heart Chart by taping their paper hearts on the chart. Have those who like the food raise their hands; then have them bring up their hearts and tape them next to "liked it." Do the same for the "dislike" and "didn't try." Discuss what the chart shows.
8. Optional: Introduce the second and third red or pink food repeating Step 6-7.
9. Congratulate children on tasting healthy foods. Remind them that they will not always like a new taste and that's okay. What's important is for children to be "food tasters" and always give nutritious foods a try.
10. Stamp your Tasting Passport and the children's passports for each food tasted.
11. Optional: Send home a copy of the Food Matters Family Newsletter.

Reviews

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Title: my review
Submitted by: Anonymous

It was good.