Grade 2 Science

Unit overview:

This unit deals with the different sources of food and the four basic food groups (breads and cereals, meat and fish, dairy products, fruits and vegetables). The importance of food in human nutrition, and the value of healthy, wholesome food also needs to be stressed.

Related units:

The Core Unit on Plant Growth relates directly to the study of foods. Various parts of different types of plants are used as food. Activities which the students performed in the Grade 1 Core Unit on Plants may be relevant. The Core Unit on Habitats is also related, perhaps to a lesser extent. If students visited a farm, as suggested in some of the possible activities in the Core Units, then this forms an ideal basis upon which to develop the topic of foods. The Optional Unit on Oceans is also related. In studying marine life, students should develop an awareness of the importance of commercial fishing. Related topics, such as fresh water fishing activities, aquaculture, and wild rice production, could be included in this unit.

Suggested themes:

Factors of scientific literacy which should be emphasized:

• B4 organism
• C1 classifying
• C2 communicating
• C3 observing and describing
• E2 using natural environments
• F1 longing to know and understand
• F2 questioning
• G1 interest
• G3 continuous learner

Common Essential Learnings foundational objectives which should be emphasized:

• To develop students' appreciation of the value and limitations of technology within society. (TL)

• To enable students to use language (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) to communicate to each other and to others outside the class what they have observed. (COM)

• To promote both intuitive, imaginative thought and the ability to evaluate ideas, processes, experiences, and objects in meaningful contexts. (CCT)

Science foundational and learning objectives:

1. Identify some of the sources of food.
   1. Recognize that food comes from plants and animals.
   2. Identify the plants or animals that foods come from.
   3. Classify foods according to their source.
   4. List foods that are produced on farms.
   5. List foods which come from fresh or salt water.
   6. Identify foods that come from the stems, leaves, flowers, roots, fruits or seeds of plants.
2. Describe the four major food groups.
   1. Classify foods according to the four major food groups.
   2. Compare different foods within the same food group or in different groups.
   3. Explain the importance of each food group in maintaining health.
3. Value the importance of food.
   1. Demonstrate a preference for healthy foods.
   2. Develop a preference for wholesome, natural foods.
   3. Recognize the importance of a properly balanced diet.
   4. Explain why "junk food" should be avoided.
   5. Plan a healthy meal or snack.
   6. Empathize with people throughout the world who suffer from hunger or malnutrition.
   7. Participate in an ethnic festival of foods to celebrate various types of food eaten throughout the world.