Classroom Ideas - Archive
March
Sorting / Patterning Veggies (Laurie’s Nutrition Ideas)
The following lesson on nutrition is from Teachers Net.
I taught them the veggie rap...
Broccoli, Tomatoes,
Zucchini, Peas.
Pass the Carrots,
More Veggies Please!
Squash and Potatoes,
Green Beans that Snap!
Now you're doing the Vegetable Rap!
I bring in (or get parents to supply) the real vegetables and we use them to retell the RAP! I have enlarged pictures of these too so I can use when the vegetables are no longer useable. We act it out several times....
I use the same vegetables to sort with using large Venn diagram plastic circles. We pattern with them too. Some ideas for patterning with them are:
- Things I have tasted/things I haven't
- Veggies I like/Veggies I don't like
- Colors
- Large/Small
- Roots/Stems/Flowers/Leaves
- Seeds/No seeds
Growing Game
The following Circle Time activity is from The Dannon Institute: Celebrate Happy Eating.
Have children crouch down on the floor. Instruct them to “grow” a little bit whenever you call out a food item that helps them grow. If a non-food item is called, the children should remain still.
For example, call out “cheese” (children “grow” a little), “chair” (children remain still), “apples” (children grow a little), “airplanes” (children remain still), etc. Repeat until all of the children have “grown” as high as they can reach.
Older preschoolers may enjoy taking a turn to be the caller.
American Academy of Pediatrics - Allergens
Common Allergies
The causes of allergies are not fully understood. Your child can get allergies from coming into contact with allergens. Allergens can be inhaled, eaten, injected (from stings or medicine), or they can come into contact with the skin. Some of the more common allergens are:
- pollens
- molds
- house dust mites
- animal dander and saliva (cat, dog, horse, rabbit)
- chemicals used in industry
- some foods and medicines
- venom from insect stings
The tendency to have allergies is often passed on in families. For example, a parent has an allergy problem, there is a higher than normal chance that the child will also have allergies. This risk increases if both parents are allergic.
Condition Triggers Symptoms
Asthma - A wide range of things can trigger an asthma attack. These include cigarette smoke, viral infections, pollen, dust mites, furry animals, cold air, changing weather conditions, exercise, and even stress. Coughing, wheezing, difficult breathing; coughing with activity or exertion; chest tightness.
Hay Fever Pollen - from trees, grasses, or weeds. Stuffy nose, sneezing, and a runny nose; breathing through the mouth because of stuffy nose; rubbing or wrinkling the nose and facial grimacing to relieve nasal itch; watery, itchy eyes; redness or swelling in and under the eyes.
Food Allergies - Any foods, but the most common are eggs, peanuts, milk (see information on milk allergies), nuts, soy, fish, wheat, peas, and shellfish. Vomiting, diarrhea, hives, eczema, difficult breathing, and possibly a drop in blood pressure (shock).
Eczema (atomic dermatitis)
Sometimes made worse by food allergies, contact with allergens (pollen, dust mites, furry animals), irritants, sweating. A patchy, dry, red, itchy rash that often occurs in the creases of the arms, legs, and neck; however, in infants it often starts on the cheeks, behind the ears, and on the thighs.
Hives viral infections, food allergies, and drugs (such as aspirin, penicillin, or sulfa) but cause is often unknown. Itchy, mosquito-bite-like skin patches that are more red or pale than the surrounding skin. Hives may be found on different parts of the body and do not stay at the same spot for more than a few hours.
Contact
Dermatitis contact with a plant substance such as poison ivy or oak, household detergents and cleansers, and chemicals in some cosmetics and perfumes. Itchy, red, raised patches that may blister if severe. Most of these patches are confined to the areas of direct contact with the allergen.
[Posted on April 26, 2005]
