Week 1

GARDEN
NUTRITION & FOOD LITERACY LESSONS
Good Food Needs Good Soil
Rainbow Veggies Make Me Healthy and Strong!
Learning Objectives for Children:
  • Children feel comfortable exploring the garden.
  • Children understand the importance of soil for healthy plants and food.
  • Children can be respectful when trying new foods.
  • Children can identify different vegetables.
  • Children can identify benefits of eating different kinds of vegetables.
Learning Objectives for Caregivers:
  • Caregivers understand the role of compost and fertilizer in improving and maintaining soil health.
  • Caregivers can identify ways to encourage children to try new foods.
  • Caregivers can provide guidance for children in learning new food skills.
Week 1 Handouts and Activity Sheets:
Week 1 Recipes:
  • More information coming soon!
  • Rainbow Vegetable Kebabs
  • Tzatziki Dipping Sauce
Week 1 Video Tutorials:
  • Videos coming soon!
  • Videos coming soon!

Week 2

GARDEN
NUTRITION & FOOD LITERACY LESSONS
What are Seeds?
Kids in the Kitchen
Learning Objectives for Children:
  • Children can identify the parts of a seed and a seedling.
  • Children can sow seeds correctly for good germination and early growth.
  • Children are able to water seeds correctly.
  • Children will become familiar with ingredients to prepare a recipe.
  • Children will become familiar with a variety of spices, herbs, and seasonings to flavour foods in different ways.
Learning Objectives for Caregivers:
  • Caregivers are able to identify the parts of a seed and a seedling.
  • Caregivers are able to demonstrate the correct techniques for sowing and watering.
  • Caregivers will become familiar with how to talk to kids about ingredients that make a recipe and how to use seasonings, herbs, and spices to flavour foods the way we like.
Week 2 Handouts and Activity Sheets:
Week 2 Recipes:
  • More information coming soon!
  • All-Dressed Kale Chips
Week 2 Video Tutorials:
  • Videos coming soon!
  • Videos coming soon!

Week 3

GARDEN
NUTRITION & FOOD LITERACY LESSONS
What Parts of Plants Do We Eat?
Building Rainbow Plates Build Healthy Bodies
Learning Objectives for Children:
  • Children can identify edible parts of plants.
  • Children will explore how the parts of plants we eat, and even what plants we eat, depends on our culture and knowledge of plants.
  • Children can plant a seed on their own.
  • Children can determine when soil has enough water.
  • Children will become familiar with ingredients to prepare a recipe.
  • Children will become familiar with the components of healthy meals and snacks.
  • Children will be introduced to and practice using measuring spoons, as well as mashing and dicing skills.
Learning Objectives for Caregivers:
  • Caregivers can demonstrate how to plant seeds.
  • Caregivers will become familiar with what parts of plants we eat, when in the season we eat them, and how best to grow them.
  • Caregivers will become familiar with the healthy plate model for meals, and how to build healthy snacks.
Week 3 Handouts and Activity Sheets:
Week 3 Recipes:
  • More information coming soon!
  • Taco Lettuce Wraps
Week 3 Video Tutorials:
  • Videos coming soon!
  • Videos coming soon!

Week 4

GARDEN
NUTRITION & FOOD LITERACY LESSONS
Meet the Legume Family!
What Are Your Favourite Lentils and Beans?
Learning Objectives for Children:
  • Children can recognize the similarities and differences among plants in the Legume Family.
  • Children can grow sprouts in a jar for quick and easy eating.
  • Children continue to master gardening skills-sowing and watering.
  • Children will become familiar with ingredients to prepare a recipe.
  • Children will be introduced to the nutrition and varieties of lentils and beans.
Learning Objectives for Caregivers:
  • Caregivers also recognize the similarities of various common species in the Legume Family.
  • Caregivers are comfortable with the technique of sprouting so children can successfully grow sprouts.
  • Caregivers increase their confidence to be able to guide children in performing basic gardening skills.
  • Caregivers will become familiar with cooking with quinoa, including how to enhance its flavour and how to store it.
Week 4 Handouts and Activity Sheets:
Week 4 Recipes:
  • More information coming soon!
  • Chickpea Quinoa Salad
Week 4 Video Tutorials:
  • Videos coming soon!
  • Videos coming soon!

Week 5

GARDEN
NUTRITION & FOOD LITERACY LESSONS
Meet the Carrot Family!
TWO Rainbow Stripes Make A Healthy Snack
Learning Objectives for Children:
  • Children can recognize the different carrot plants as they become seedlings.
  • Children continue to master gardening skills-sowing and watering.
  • Children will become familiar with the components of a healthy snack.
  • Children will be introduced to different ways of eating fruits and vegetables.
Learning Objectives for Caregivers:
  • Caregivers also recognize the similarities of various common species in the Carrot Family and can point them out to children.
  • Caregivers are comfortable with the technique of sowing small seeds and can help children successfully sow seeds in pots and in the garden.
  • Caregivers increase their confidence to be able to guide children in performing basic gardening skills.
  • Caregivers will become familiar with how to build quick and healthy snacks.
  • Caregivers will become familiar with different ways of introducing vegetables and fruits to encourage intake.
Week 5 Handouts and Activity Sheets:
Week 5 Recipes:
  • More information coming soon!
  • French Onion Dip
  • Yogurt Dip
Week 5 Video Tutorials:
  • Videos coming soon!
  • Videos coming soon!

Week 6

GARDEN
NUTRITION & FOOD LITERACY LESSONS
Pollinators and Flowers: We Need Bees!
Different Coloured Veggies Have Different Nutrients
Learning Objectives for Children:
  • Children understand the role that bees have in pollinating our plants.
  • Children can demonstrate basic skills for transplanting, potting, and watering flowers.
  • Children will become familiar with the ingredients to prepare a recipe.
  • Children will become familiar with different types of nutrients in different vegetables.
  • Children will be introduced to and practice squeezing lemons, as well as grating and peeling skills.
Learning Objectives for Caregivers:
  • Caregivers will become familiar with the different types of pollinators, and the importance of pollinators for healthy gardens.
  • Caregivers can demonstrate the correct techniques for transplanting, potting, and watering flowers.
  • Caregivers will become familiar with different ways of increasing nutrient varieties in their children’s diets.
Week 6 Handouts and Activity Sheets:
Week 6 Recipes:
  • More information coming soon!
  • Carrot Slaw
Week 6 Video Tutorials:
  • Videos coming soon!
  • Videos coming soon!

Week 7

GARDEN
NUTRITION & FOOD LITERACY LESSONS
Meet the Lettuce Family!
New Foods, New Adventures!
Learning Objectives for Children:
  • Children can recognize the similarities and differences between members of the Lettuce Family.
  • Children can identify the parts of the lettuce plants that we eat.
  • Children will become familiar with the importance of lettuce plants for their leaves and flowers, but also roots and seeds.
  • Children will become familiar with ingredients to prepare a recipe.
  • Children will become familiar with a variety of spices, herbs, and seasonings to flavour foods in different ways.
  • Children will be introduced to and practice knife safety and knife skills.
Learning Objectives for Caregivers:
  • Caregivers also recognize the similarities of various common species in the Lettuce Family and can point them out to children.
  • Caregivers increase their confidence to be able to guide children in performing basic gardening skills.
  • Caregivers will become familiar with ways to safely guide and encourage their children to practice knife safety and knife skills.
  • Caregivers will become familiar with alternative sources of protein, and ways of integrating alternative proteins into family meals.
Week 7 Handouts and Activity Sheets:
Week 7 Recipes:
  • More information coming soon!
  • Rainbow Salad Rolls
  • Peanut Dipping Sauce
Week 7 Video Tutorials:
  • Videos coming soon!
  • Videos coming soon!

Week 8

GARDEN
NUTRITION & FOOD LITERACY LESSONS
Herbs! And How we Care for Them
Reduce Added Sugars by Making Your Own Smoothie!
Learning Objectives for Children:
  • Children can identify different types of herbs.
  • Children can recognize the similarities and differences between members of the Herb Family.
  • Children can demonstrate basic skills for transplanting, potting, and watering herbs.
  • Children will become familiar with ingredients to prepare a recipe.
  • Children will be introduced to different ways of eating fruits and vegetables.
  • Children will become familiar with how to use fruit to sweeten meals.
Learning Objectives for Caregivers:
  • Caregivers also recognize the similarities of various common species in the Herb Family and can point them out to children.
  • Caregivers can demonstrate correct techniques for planting and caring for herbs.
  • Caregivers increase their confidence to be able to guide children in performing basic gardening skills.
  • Caregivers will become familiar with nutritional differences between store bought and homemade smoothies, and interpreting nutrition labels.
  • Caregivers will become familiar with ways to reduce added sugars in meals.
  • Caregivers will be introduced to different ingredients to add to smoothies to help us feel full longer.
Week 8 Handouts and Activity Sheets:
Week 8 Recipes:
  • More information coming soon!
  • Berry and Avocado Green Smoothie
  • Peanut Butter Banana Green Smoothie
Week 8 Video Tutorials:
  • Videos coming soon!
  • Videos coming soon!

Week 9

GARDEN
NUTRITION & FOOD LITERACY LESSONS
Meet the Onion Family!
Healthy Ingredient Substitutes Make Delicious Meals Too!
Learning Objectives for Children:
  • Children can recognize the similarities and differences among members of the Onion Family.
  • Children will explore the importance of the Onion Family in different cultures.
  • Children will learn how to plant garlic bulbs for next year.
  • Children will become familiar with ingredients to prepare a recipe.
  • Children will become familiar with healthy ingredient substitutes to use in recipes.
Learning Objectives for Caregivers:
  • Caregivers also recognize the similarities of various common species in the Onion Family and can point them out to children.
  • Caregivers can demonstrate correct techniques for planting and caring for garlic.
  • Caregivers increase their confidence to be able to guide children in performing basic gardening skills.
  • Caregivers will become familiar with how to use healthy ingredient substitutes for proteins, fats, and sugars.
Week 9 Handouts and Activity Sheets:
Week 9 Recipes:
  • More information coming soon!
  • Spinach Dip
  • Pita Chips
Week 9 Video Tutorials:
  • Videos coming soon!
  • Videos coming soon!

Week 10

GARDEN
NUTRITION & FOOD LITERACY LESSONS
Meet the Tomato Family!
Garden to Table Ingredients (in Calgary)!
Learning Objectives for Children:
  • Children can recognize the similarities and differences among members of the Tomato Family.
  • Children will become familiar with ingredients to prepare a recipe.
  • Children will become familiar with the benefits of eating in season.
  • Children will become familiar with using seasonal ingredients to make food taste more flavourful.
  • Children will be introduced to and practice skills for seeding tomatoes and peppers.
Learning Objectives for Caregivers:
  • Caregivers also recognize the similarities of various common species in the Tomato Family and can point them out to children.
  • Caregivers increase their confidence to be able to guide children in performing basic gardening skills.
  • Caregivers will become familiar with how eating locally sourced and home grown produce can be more economical and taste better.
  • Caregivers will become familiar with ways to increase their use of seasonal ingredients both in the garden and at the grocery store.
Week 10 Handouts and Activity Sheets:
Week 10 Recipes:
  • More information coming soon!
  • Pico De Gallo
Week 10 Video Tutorials:
  • Videos coming soon!
  • Videos coming soon!

Week 11

GARDEN
NUTRITION & FOOD LITERACY LESSONS
Saving Seeds and Putting our Gardens to Bed
Seeds We Grow, Seeds We Eat!
Learning Objectives for Children:
  • Children will explore how seed saving is part of the cycle of gardening.
  • Children will learn how to put the garden to bed for the winter.
  • Children will develop skills for harvesting.
  • Children will become familiar with ingredients to prepare a recipe.
  • Children will become familiar with connecting seeds to flowers.
  • Children will be introduced to different ways of eating vegetable and fruit seeds.
Learning Objectives for Caregivers:
  • Caregivers will…
  • Caregivers will become familiar with the connections between seeds and their flowers.
  • Caregivers will be introduced to different ways of using seeds in cooking.
Week 11 Handouts and Activity Sheets:
Week 11 Recipes:
  • More information coming soon!
  • Peanut Butter Granola
Week 11 Video Tutorials:
  • Videos coming soon!
  • Videos coming soon!

Week 12

GARDEN
NUTRITION & FOOD LITERACY LESSONS
End of Season Celebration
Celebrate the Land and Eat from the Land!
Learning Objectives for Children:
  • Children can identify the parts of a seed and a seedling.
  • Children can sow seeds correctly for good germination and early growth.
  • Children are able to water seeds correctly.
  • Children will become familiar with ingredients to prepare a recipe.
  • Children will become familiar with a variety of spices, herbs, and seasonings to flavour foods in different ways.
Learning Objectives for Caregivers:
  • Caregivers will…
  • Caregivers will become familiar with Indigenous histories and connections to the land.
  • Caregivers will become familiar with how different plants nourish each other in the garden, and how they can nourish us in the kitchen.
Week 1 Handouts and Activity Sheets:
Week 1 Recipes:
  • More information coming soon!
  • Three Sisters Soup
Week 12 Video Tutorials:
  • Videos coming soon!
  • Videos coming soon!