For
one of
my
community
internship
requirements
I got
to teach
a nutrition
class to
3rd
graders.
Those 34
impressionable
minds were
all mine
for 30
minutes. I
had my
lesson
planned and
practiced.
Everything
was set
up and
ready. I
honestly
don't
remember
everything
that I
was taught
in 3rd
grade. I
thought
they would
have herd
of diseases
and medical
problems
that their
grandparents
might have.
I was
taking a
chance that
my audience
would nod
and smile
when I
said
vegetables
can lower
your risk
of type
2 diabetes.
At least
that was
what I
was used
to in
college. I learned a lot of new things today...
3rd
grade and
college are
worlds
apart. Of
course the
boy in
the front
row says,
“umm umm
what is
diabetes?”
Gulp. How
can I
explain
diabetes to
a 3rd
grader? Do
they know
about cells
or
hormones? I
started to
talk and
all I
know is
that I
said
hormones,
insulin,
sugar, and
cells a
lot which
seemed to
satisfy the
wondering
mind.
3rd graders are
so willing
to share.
After
explaining
that
vegetables
were low
in fat
and low
in
calories, I
moved on
to fruits.
I finished
with
“Fruits
are low
in fat
and
calories just
like what
other
group?”
75% of
the hands
went up
just like
normal and
I called
on a
boy. His
answer was
“My
brother
likes
fruits, but
I don't
eat them
very much.”
It fit
so well
to say
that in
their
world. It
made me
smile.
3rd graders are
willing to
participate.
I think
it is
interesting
the older
we get
the less
we want
to be
up in
front of
people. I
also
thought it
was
interesting
that 3rd
graders
raise their
hands even
when they
don't know
the right
answer. The
main goal
is just
to get
picked.
It
was certainly a fun learning experience. My favorite part of today was talking about the grain group. I started out with, "we want to make 1/2 our grains whole." and I ended with, "Is white bread a whole grain?" A resounding yes swept across all of their lips. I smiled and said, "nope" and I heard a collective gasp by the audience. I had to revive the troops again by telling them that all the benefits of whole grains are found in brown bread. "I don't like that stuff though" I heard. I guess I didn't do a good job in reviving them, but I hope they remember to choose it next time.
Haha! Now that you know what to expect, you can simplify for them. That's cute, though. I've noticed the same thing about raising hands. In my classes now, most kids raise their hands, and sometimes when I call on them, they just lower their hand and smile. :)
ReplyDeleteHaha! It's so true!
ReplyDelete