Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1, SS 1, SSS1, SSS 1)
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 2
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Health Education
Curriculum Theme: Health Education
Previous Lesson: Water Supply.
Topic: NUTRITION AND FOOD NUTRIENTS
Subject Matter: Definition of nutrition, definition of nutrient, classes of food nutrients, sources of food nutrients, examples of nutrient sources

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Define nutrition.
Define nutrient.
List the different classes of food nutrients.
Identify various sources of food nutrients.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of balanced nutrition for good health.
Value healthy eating habits.

Psychomotor Domain:

Classify different food items according to their nutrient classes.
Identify the nutrient sources from various food samples.

Discuss with peers the importance of consuming different types of food.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Health Education (SSS 1)
State Unified Scheme of Work for Health Education (SSS 1)
Health Education for Senior Secondary Schools by A.O. Okoro
https://www.who.int/health-topics/nutrition

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Real foodstuffs (e.g., yam, rice, beans, groundnut, orange, egg)
Posters showing various food substances and their nutrient classes
Charts illustrating the food pyramid

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the basic building blocks of food and how they affect the body. Knowing about nutrition and food nutrients enables pupils to make informed choices about what they eat, which is important for maintaining their health and preventing illnesses in their daily lives.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are assumed to have prior knowledge of different types of food eaten at home and in their communities.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

NUTRITION AND FOOD NUTRIENTS

Definition of Nutrition

Nutrition is the process by which living organisms obtain and utilize food for growth, energy, and maintenance of life processes. It involves ingestion, digestion, absorption, assimilation, and egestion.

Definition of Nutrient

A nutrient is a substance in food that the body needs to grow, repair itself, and supply energy. Nutrients are essential for the body’s proper functioning and overall health.

Classes of Food Nutrients

Food nutrients are generally classified into six main groups:

Carbohydrates
Proteins
Fats and Oils (Lipids)
Vitamins
Minerals
Water

Sources of Food Nutrients

Different food items provide different types of nutrients:

Carbohydrates: Yam, rice, cassava, maize, bread, pasta, potatoes.
Proteins: Beans, eggs, meat, fish, milk, groundnut, soya beans.
Fats and Oils: Groundnut oil, palm oil, butter, margarine, avocado, nuts, fatty meat.
Vitamins: Fruits (oranges, mangoes), vegetables (spinach, carrots), liver, milk.
Minerals: Green leafy vegetables, milk, fish, salt, red meat.
Water: Drinking water, fruits, vegetables, beverages.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to mention some of the foods they ate before coming to school. The teacher then writes the topic on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by mentioning various food items they ate.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the lesson topic and connect it to their daily lives.

Step 2: Definition of Nutrition

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines nutrition, explaining its importance for growth and energy. The definition is written on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and copy the definition into their notebooks.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the meaning of nutrition.

Step 3: Definition of Nutrient

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines a nutrient and explains its role in the body. The definition is written on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and copy the definition.
Learning Point: Pupils understand what a nutrient is.

Step 4: Classes of Food Nutrients

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Classification/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher lists and explains the six main classes of food nutrients using posters and charts. For each class, the teacher provides examples of food items.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the posters, listen to the explanations, and identify the nutrient classes.
Learning Point: Pupils learn the different classes of food nutrients.

Step 5: Sources of Food Nutrients

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Identification
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays the real foodstuffs brought to class (e.g., yam, beans, orange, egg) and guides pupils to identify which nutrient class each food item belongs to. The teacher also discusses other common sources.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils actively participate by classifying the foodstuffs and identifying their nutrient sources.
Learning Point: Pupils can identify and classify common food items by their nutrient content.

Step 6: Examples of Nutrient Sources

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Examples
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher further elaborates on specific examples for each nutrient class, ensuring pupils have a clear understanding of where to find each nutrient. The teacher writes key examples on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils take notes and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their knowledge of specific food sources for each nutrient.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

Define nutrition.
What is a nutrient?
List four classes of food nutrients.
Mention two food sources for carbohydrates and two for proteins.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summary/Assignment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, emphasizing the importance of eating a balanced diet for good health. The teacher then gives pupils homework to research the functions of each class of nutrient.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and prepare for future topics.

Lesson Keywords

Nutrition – The process of obtaining and utilizing food for growth and energy.
Nutrient – A substance in food needed for growth, energy, and body maintenance.
Carbohydrates – Energy-giving foods like yam and rice.
Proteins – Body-building foods like beans and fish.
Fats and Oils – Energy-giving and protective foods like groundnut oil and butter.
Vitamins – Protective foods found in fruits and vegetables.
Minerals – Protective foods like calcium and iron.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can challenge them to identify deficiency diseases related to specific nutrients. For pupils who require additional support, the teacher can provide simplified charts or group them with stronger peers for collaborative identification of foodstuffs.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure to bring a variety of real foodstuffs to make the lesson practical and engaging. Encourage pupils to participate actively in identifying and classifying the food items. Emphasize the connection between healthy eating and overall well-being.