The Internet:Your Personal Teaching Assistant Updated 12/07
If you're connected to the Internet, you may not realize it, but you have a teaching assistant just a mouse click away! Collecting classroom resources and subject information used to mean a trip to the library and probably a few phone calls. No more! Now, if you have a computer, modem and service provider, you have a wealth of nutrition education information, lessons, activities and resources right at your fingertips. If you haven't taken time to tap this power beneath your fingertips, I encourage you to explore what you're missing.
Not connected yet? Don't despair as many local libraries offer Internet access. You can also call your nearest NET center and we'll be glad to help you put your fingers on the nutrition education resources you need.
Information for Teachers
One of the greatest advantages of being connected to the Internet is the wealth of information you can gather about literally any subject. Nutrition is no exception. You can find resources to help you plan a top-notch health education program or dig up information about nutrition and learning to present to your school board. You can even become an instant "expert" on any nutrition subject you want to teach from choosing healthy snacks to planning meals using the Food Guide Pyramid.
For instance, to help you develop an effective nutrition education program you'll find position papers from professional organizations, reports from government agencies, research from acclaimed universities and more. Here are a few examples of websites you might want to visit:
Promote Lifelong Healthy Eating Among Young People, Centers for Disease Control - Guidelines for School Health Programs
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/nutrition/guidelines/
Federally Mandated Local Wellness Policies for School Districts, American Dietetic Association
http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/career_8792_ENU_HTML.htm
Planning a lesson or unit on an unfamiliar nutrition topic? For background information on a number of food and nutrition topics, be sure to visit these two sites:
Nutrition Fact Sheets, American Dietetic Association
http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/nutrition.html
International Food Information Council
http://www.ific.org/
Classroom Lessons/Activities
Why spend time reinventing the wheel? Maximize your time by using the Internet to search out age-appropriate nutrition education lessons and hands-on activities for kids. The three listings below give you just a sampling of what's available for preschool and elementary teachers.
Dole 5-A-Day
http://www.dole5aday.com
USDA Team Nutrition
www.teamnutrition.usda.gov
Education World
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson165.shtml
MyPyramid
www.mypyramid.gov
Nutrition Education Resources
The Internet can also put you in touch with hundreds of classroom resources including food images, nutrition games and nutrient analysis tools. Here are a few:
MyPyramid Blast Off Game
www.mypyramid.gov
As with other media formats, you'll find that you can't believe everything you read or see on the web. USDA's Food and Nutrition Information Service provides a list of reliable Internet sources for a variety of nutrition topics. Tufts Nutrition Navigator can also help you locate good sites as it rates websites for accuracy of the nutrition information provided.
Index of Food and Nutrition Resources
Food & Nutrition Information Center
www.nalusda.gov/fnic/etext/fnic.html
Use the following on-line nutrient analysis tools to compare the nutritional value of different food choices:
Nutrient Analysis Tool
University of Illinois
http://nat.crgq.com/mainnat.html
Fast Food Facts
www.foodfacts.info/
Being connected to the Internet is the next best thing to having your own teaching assistant! For more nutrition education tips and links, be sure to visit the Illinois NET website at www.kidseatwell.org or call the NET center nearest you.
For more links to nutrition education resources visit:
www.kidseatwell.org/links.html#TEACHERS
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