Salad Squad Lesson Plan
Salad Squad
Lesson Plan • Healthy Eating
30 MINS
Ages 7-8
Why This Matters
Children will learn about different vegetables and how to create a healthy meal. This hands-on experience builds confidence in making nutritious choices and encourages food exploration.
Materials Needed
- Fresh vegetables (lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, peppers)
- Plastic knives & cutting boards
- Bowls & salad dressings
- Veggie Discovery Cards
- Discussion Guide
Objective
"Learn to identify healthy vegetables and assemble a balanced meal independently."
Instructional Steps
01 5 min
Welcome & Introduction
- Greet the children and introduce the topic: Building your own salad!
- Ask: "What is a salad?" Discuss the variety of colors and textures found in vegetables.
02 5 min
Vegetable Identification
- Use the Veggie Discovery Cards to show different vegetables.
- Discuss: Taste (sweet vs. earthy), Texture (crunchy vs. soft), and Vitamins (how they help our bodies).
03 15 min
Hands-On Activity
- Divide students into small groups at prep stations.
- Guide them in safe cutting (using plastic knives) and washing.
- The Build: Encourage them to choose at least 3 different colors for their salad bowl.
- Finish with a drizzle of their favorite dressing.
04 5 min
The Tasting Talk
- Gather back together to enjoy the salads.
- Use the Healthy Bites Discussion Guide to facilitate conversation while eating.
- Focus on the "brave taster" concept—trying something new!
05 5 min
Closure & Take-Home
- Summarize: "We are salad experts! Different colors give our bodies different powers."
- Encourage them to tell their families about one new veggie they liked.
Pro Tip for Teachers
Keep things exciting by calling the vegetables "superfoods" and explaining their specific benefits (e.g., "Carrots help your night-vision!").
Veggie Discovery Cards Worksheet
Veggie Discovery Cards
Cut along the dotted lines to use in your vegetable identification activity!
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Lettuce
"The Crunchy Base"
Most salads start with these leafy greens. It is very hydrating because it's mostly water!
Fun Fact
Helps keep your heart healthy!
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Tomato
"The Juicy Red"
Is it a fruit or a veggie? It's a botanical fruit but we eat it like a vegetable! Full of Vitamin C.
Fun Fact
Great for your skin and eyes!
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Cucumber
"The Cool Crunch"
Stay cool as a cucumber! These have a refreshing snap and are 95% water.
Fun Fact
Gives you a boost of energy!
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Carrot
"The Orange Root"
These grow underground. They are super crunchy and naturally a little sweet.
Fun Fact
Helps you see better in the dark!
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Bell Pepper
"The Colorful Cup"
These can be red, yellow, green, or orange! They are hollow inside and very sweet.
Fun Fact
Has more Vitamin C than an orange!
My Choice
Draw your favorite veggie here!
Healthy Eating Discussion Guide
Healthy Bites
The Great Salad Discussion Guide
01
What new vegetables did you try today?
Think about the crunch, the sweetness, or even the colors! Encourage everyone to share their honest opinion—it's okay if you didn't love everything, but it's amazing that you tried!
Notes from our tasting adventure...
02
Why is it important to eat a variety of vegetables?
Did you know different colors do different jobs for our bodies? Red helps your heart, orange helps your eyes, and green helps your bones!
What "superpowers" did we find?
03
How can you include more vegetables in your meals at home?
Could you add peppers to a pizza? Carrots to a sandwich? Or maybe make a mini salad as a side for dinner? Let's brainstorm some "Salad Squad" missions for home!
Our Home Veggie Mission Plan...
Be a Brave Taster
Every time you try a new vegetable, you're training your taste buds to love healthy fuel!
