Eat for the Earth
Videos
Grades3, 4, 5Science, Health
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by Educated Choices Program
What it is
- This resource from the Educated Choices Program includes a video and a teacher guide that introduces students to the effects of food choices on the planet.
- In the video, students will learn the importance of natural resources, how raising livestock uses more resources than growing plants, how livestock contributes to climate change, and some sustainable alternatives to animal products.
- The teacher guide includes a lesson plan, guided notes, activities, and a quiz to accompany the video, and teachers can use all resources or select the ones that are best suited for their classrooms.
Teaching tips
Positives
- The animated video is brightly-colored and engaging.
- Students will get to learn a range of complex topics as they are introduced in kid-friendly ways.
Prerequisites
- Teachers will need to create a free account to access the video and materials.
- It may benefit students to have at least a little background information about climate change.
- Students should also know the basics about nutrition.
- When discussing food choices, it is important to keep in mind that students likely don't have control over what their caretakers buy or make for meals. With this in mind, teachers should be sure not to shame or villainize food choices.
Differentiation & Implementation
- After viewing the video, students or teachers can bring in their favorite sustainable foods, or teachers can introduce students to one new sustainable food every day/week.
- Teachers can have students compare the amount of protein in various plant foods, such as whole grains, beans, spinach, peas, nuts, and soy.
- To make language connections, teachers can use the vocabulary words to create a word wall or word journal. Additionally, teachers can employ the total physical response strategy and introduce students to movements to represent the vocabulary words.
- To make health connections, teachers and students can discuss ways to get a variety of healthy foods in the diet or go more in-depth to explain the protein, carbs, fiber, and healthy fats found in many plant foods.
From the scientist review
In addition to exploring and comparing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from crop and animal production, students are encouraged to eat only plant-based food to save the planet— as this resource teaches them not only to get a sense of the carbon footprint from plant and animal food production but also about how their food choices affect the environment and what they can do to protect it.
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Hosted on learnecprogram.org
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