Eat a little? Eat a lot?

Several times throughout the school year we provide a lesson about healthy eating.  It was part of the lesson plans again last week, when we were talking about dental health.  I pass out picture cards with different foods (healthy foods and treats) and the students take turns coming up and putting them in the correct bucket.  One says eat a little, the other says eat a lot.  I like to think that it is a straightforward lesson, but of course, as usual my students have a lesson for me too.

Scene 1:

*Suzy comes up with her carrot picture card.

Teacher:  “Suzy has a picture of carrots.  Where should she put that card?”

Student A:  “In the eat a little bucket.”

Teacher:  “Oh, why?”  (I probably shouldn’t ask…) 

Student A:  “I hate carrots.”

Teacher:  “Okay, what if someone likes carrots, should they eat a lot, or a little?”

Student A:  “A little, carrots are yucky.”

Suzy: “A lot, since carrots are good for you.”

Give that Suzy a star. 

Scene 2:

*Johnny comes up with a picture card with soda (or pop, whatever…).

Teacher:  “Is this a healthy food for the eat a lot bucket or a treat for the eat a little bucket?”

Student B:  “You can’t eat pop, you drink it.”

Cut to teacher silently banging head on wall since it is FAR less painful. 

They truly are smart.  That I can appreciate.

Mrs. V

*Names have been changed to protect the innocent.