Super Foods for Super Kids

Super Foods really are super! Super foods have this big fancy word called phytonutrients in their chemical make up. In fact, super foods have a high content of this element, which is critically important for our bodies. Phytonutrients are noted to have disease-fighting qualities and it is these qualities that help to reduce the risk of cancer infection. In addition, they help to boost the immune system, and to reduce inflammation in the body. Pretty super, right? Well, I love super people and super foods, which is why I'm bringing super foods to my super students this year.

This year my 5th grade students will come to understand that super foods are high in antioxidants. They will learn that antioxidants help to keep the body disease free and they also help to reduce many side affects in the aging process. Basically, they help keep us "young." I want my students to understand that food is medicine and medicine is food. For instance, some super foods can be eaten raw, like blueberries, and we can get their full benefits. Others, like cocoa powder, need to be eaten in a prepared way, like in hot cocoa or in coffee (which is also high in antioxidants) or in smoothies. I want for my students to understand that super foods are fun to eat, cook or bake with, and most importantly that they taste great.

This year I'm bringing super foods out of my house and kitchen and into my classroom.  My students and I are going to create a super foods wall calendar.  Each week a different student will focus on a different super food and teach the other students about the benefits of that particular food. All the foods will be either a fruit, vegetable, grain or nut in order to respect my vegetarian students. This school year, not only are my students extending their nutritional register and world view on food, but they are also expanding their few of health and personal health care.  My favorite part will be seeing the kids recognize the science connected to eating.

Each month we will have a super foods feast, where I will bring in the super foods that were discovered. This is going to be a super foods journey and we'll be eating well the entire way!

Would you like to join my class in our super foods journey? If so, check out what we will be eating and learning about each month.

August:
Oranges

September:
Spinach, chard, collard greens

October:
Almonds, walnuts, pumpkin, edamame

November:
Quinoa, chia seed, steel-cut oats, flax seed

December:
Lentils, pomegranates, wheat germ

January:
Carrots, sweet potatoes, beets

February:
Brussel Sprouts, mustard greens, spirulina, cauliflower

March:
Bell peppers (red), hot peppers, avocado, kiwi

April:
Blueberries, strawberries, papaya, mangoes

May:
Grapefruit, lemon/lime, peaches, watermelon

June:
pineapple

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