Food Hates You, Too: and other Poems by Robert Weinstock. NY: Disney, Hyperion Books, 2009. ISBN 978-1-4231-1391-1. 5Q/5P.

            These very silly poems about food will make youngster’s laugh and look at food a whole different way. Illustrations are colorful and cartoonist in style. This pictures add to the humor in the poems with hidden silly jokes. Done is a wide range of bright colors Robert Weinstock creates a funny world of food. Could be used in a 5^th-6^th grade health class to put a spin on foods kids don’t typically like. Students could create a list of the foods they eat the most and what those foods would be like if they could talk!

Food: It is your Friend

Grade Level: 5

Subject Area: Health

Duration: 2 weeks

Objectives: Make learning about healthy foods fun. Students will create a log-book of the health foods they ate in one week, as well as the ones they felt were unhealthy. Week two, the goal is to replace the “junk food” with foods that are good for our bodies.

In class reading:

            Food Hates You, Too: and other Poems by Robert Weinstock. NY: Disney, Hyperion Books, 2009. ISBN 978-1-4231-1391-1

Bring me Some Apples and I'll Make you a Pie: A Story about Edna Lewis by Robbin Gourley. NY: Clarion Books, 2009.ISBN-13: 978-0618158362

In class discussion: Ask students what they think are healthy foods. Create a list, and prompt them to think of foods that come from the earth.

Assignment:

Week 1: Students will create a log-book where they write down what they ate for all three meals and snacks. Students will be asked to underline foods that they think could be replaced with healthier foods.

                        Week 2:  Students will keep another log-book of all meals and snacks, but this time consciously trying to eat foods that are good for their bodies.

Discussion: How did you feel when you were eating healthier food choices? Was it harder to find healthy foods?

-Christina Gendron, 8/01/09