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The Whole Grains Council is your hub for all things related to whole grain education. Click on an activity listed below to learn more and to download the materials.

 

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“The Power of 3” 5-lesson plan series (grades 3-6) from University of Minnesota Extension Service

This school-based curriculum available is designed to increase intake of whole grain foods by elementary school students. This 3-component program includes a five-lesson classroom curriculum supporting student learning and behavior change, newsletters and events to encourage parents to make whole grain foods available at home information for school foodservice personnel to increase the number of whole grain foods that are incorporated into school menus. Click here to link directly to the Power of 3 curriculum.

“MAKE HALF YOUR GRAINS WHOLE” LESSON WITH GAMES, RECIPES, AND HANDOUTS (AGES 8-12) FROM THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

This 70-90 minute lesson for 8-12 year olds is packed with hands-on whole grain learning, although many of the activities can be repurposed for shorter classes if time is a constraint. Some of the activities encourage movement (such as a fiber relay race), while others allow for practice identifying whole grains. There are also three whole grain recipes to choose from.

This lesson is freely available, although the Cornell University Cooperative Extension kindly asks that you contact Wendy Wolfe (ww16@cornell.edu), PhD, Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University with your name, agency/organization, state and intended use, if you decide to use these materials. Click here to access the lesson.

Video Lesson + Online Game + Activities: “No Breakfast, No Bueno” (grades 4-8) from KickinNutrition.TV

“No Breakfast, No Bueno” is a fun, 25 minute video lesson that highlights the importance of breakfast, with a focus on whole grains. This video lesson is part of a six-lesson series from KickinNutrition.TV, a peer-taught, scripted comedy program about high schoolers that face nutrition dilemmas and learn about food and nutrition concepts. The lessons are aligned with the Core Curriculum and National Health Education Standards, and are intended for students in grades 4-8. In addition to the video episodes, KickinNutrition.TV also offers engaging activities, and an online adventure game called StudentTopia. Click here for instructions on how to access the lessons, or click here to access the online adventure game.

POWERPOINT SLIDESHOW WITH QUIZ (GRADES 6 – 12)

This presentation runs about 20-minutes, with an interactive label-reading activity and quiz. Catered towards teens, this presentation is designed to teach what whole grains are, why they’re important for teens, and how to find them. Click here to download the presentation.

“Choose Whole Grain Bread Instead” and “Choose Brown Rice” Whole Grain Handouts with Scavenger Hunt & Recipe Activities from the Whole Kids Foundation

“Choose Whole Grain Bread Instead,” a colorful, double sided handout from the Whole Kids Foundation, has lots of information on why whole grains are healthy, and how to find them. The whole grain scavenger hunt activity at the bottom of the first page is intended as a grocery store activity, but can easily be adapted to the classroom if you bring in a variety of food packages (or pictures of food packages). It also comes with four whole grain recipes for kids to take home and try (although the Whole Grain Wrap could be made in a classroom, as it doesn’t require cooking). 

The Whole Kids Foundation also has a similar handout called “Choose Brown Rice,” with information on why brown rice is healthier than white rice, along with three take home recipes, and one hands-on recipe activity. Click to download the “Choose Whole Grain Bread Instead” activity here, and the “Choose Brown Rice” activity here.

Learn Bake Share: Bread Baking Program (grades 4-7) from King Arthur Flour

The King Arthur Flour Learn Bake Share Bread Baking Program is available during the school year to student populations between 50-200 people in grades 4-7. Baking is a great hands-on way for kids to learn math, science, and cultural traditions, all while having fun. Through their free Baking Program, King Arthur Flour has taught more than 90,000 school children how to bake bread. In turn, they’ve shared this bread with local food pantries and senior centers.

How does the program work?

King Arthur Flour’s Learn Bake Share Bread Baking Program is available to schools free of charge. We present one or more 50-minute assemblies for students — a fun combination of baking science, technique and bread-making know-how — and provide everything necessary for each student to make two loaves of bread at home: all-purpose and white whole wheat flour, yeast, a recipe booklet, and even bread bags and twist ties! Students keep one loaf to enjoy at home and bring the other back to school to donate to a community organization chosen by your school.

What does the school do?

  • Enthusiastically supports and promotes the KAF Learn Bake Share Bread Baking Program
  • Coordinates the assembly arrangements and use of classroom training materials
  • Notifies parents and the community about the Learn Bake Share Bread Baking Program
  • Selects students to assist the instructor before, during, and after the presentation
  • Assists the instructor with set up and clean up
  • Distributes ingredients and materials to students for bread baking at home
  • Designates a local organization to receive the bread donations and coordinates bread delivery

How can I get more information?

To find out how to get your school involved, visit KingArthur’s website, call 802-526-1837 or email learnbakeshare@kingarthurflour.com.

“BREAD WITH A TWIST—SOFT PRETZELS” BAKING ACTIVITY + LESSON (ALL AGES)

From the Home Baking Association
For those with access to kitchen supplies, this activity is a fun way to explore the history of a familiar food, and get some hands-on experience baking with whole grain flour. After all, when kids have a hand in making a recipe, they are more likely to try it and enjoy it. According to the Home Baking Association, elementary youngsters and high schoolers alike all enjoy this lesson, as the instructor chooses the most fitting questions to explore with the students. Click here to access the lesson.

Links to Purchase Whole Grain Videos

Whole grain DVDs are a commonly requested resource from teachers. Unfortunately, we don’t have a lending library of whole grain DVDs. However, after searching online, we came across a few DVDs that may meet the needs of your students.

  • Create a Great MyPlate is a 20-minute video for grades 6 — adult and is a general overview of healthy eating, which includes a section on how to make at least half your grains whole ($79.95). Click here to learn more and to purchase.

  • What’s On MyPlate is a 22-minute video for grades 6 — adult and is also a general overview of the best food choices from each food group, including the grain group ($49.95). Click here to learn more and to purchase.