Grade 3 started the inquiry on--Who We Are

Grade 3 started the inquiry on--Who We Are
Central Idea was-A balance between factors such as exercise, nutrition and recreation contribute to human health.

The unit was kicked started by the kids undergoing exercises they measured their heartbeats with the help of stethoscope and recorded it. They identified the various changes going on in their bodies like sweating, panting, heart beats increasing, tiredness, and muscles becoming stronger. They also played recreational games like Automobile to understand the changes their body was undergoing in a better way.

These became the basis for their next topic the body systems they learnt about circulatory system to understand the heartbeats and function of heart. Sweating became the base to learn about thermoregulation, strong muscles to learn about muscular and skeletal system, panting to learn about respiratory system and lack of energy to learn about digestive system.

Gradually we came to our next topic that was nutrition which was covered in a very unique and interesting way. Kids talked about their favorite foods and hence inquired about healthy food, and were introduced to the Food Pyramid. They learnt about the 4 food groups and the colors they represent They made their own Food Pyramid as an art activity and learnt to maintain food logs.

They also had a talk with a nutrition expert which helped them to make connections to the central idea, that all 3( exercise, nutrition and recreation )all were necessary to maintain a healthy life style.

They also learnt the Fit kid song to strengthen their learning. They measured their heights to understand that proper height was also a part of growing up healthy.

They made a healthy menu working in groups which included all 4 food groups, they even gave a good presentation on it.

They also had a field trip to Reliance Fresh where apart from understanding junk and healthy food they discovered the nutritional facts printed on the food packets.

Next day they wrote reflection log of their visit and collected food packets to understand more about the nutritional facts. They were introduced to the constituents of food ( carbohydrates, fats, proteins etc.).They also made bar graphs from their findings and were shocked and surprised to find that their favorite food like Kurkure had more fats and less energy and Kelloggs had less fat and more energy.
The healthy island game was played which had all 3 parts of the central idea –exercise, nutrition and recreation the kids played and learnt from it. Comments like- our thermoregulatory system is working overtime made it easy to see that they were making the connections They also made a Class Cook Book with precious help from parents and were very proud to see their work in a book format.

They were given sleep patterns to undergo which they could do with your cooperation and it helped them to understand the importance of sleep in healthy lifestyle. They also had group discussion on Healthy Food vs Junk Food, Watching T.V for too long etc. to understand the healthy life style. They maintained hygiene checklist which became a base to understand personal hygiene and its importance. They were made to exercise to keep them strong and healthy.

They also prepared a drama on healthy lifestyle. Lastly for their summative assessment they made a mind map on the topic and keeping it as a guide made posters to reflect the central idea.

Before the assessment the rubric was discussed with them in detail so that they could prepare for it properly.

The posters and their understanding of it was really superb. Commendable work by 3rd graders even if I say so.

Written by :

Mariyam Baxamusa
Class teacher Grade 3

The Senior KG unit of inquiry- Health and well being

We started with our first UOI Health and Well Being which primarily focused on Balanced Diet & Healthy Lifestyle. It dealt with the following areas:

• daily habits and routines (hygiene, sleep, play and eating)
• Balanced choices
• Consequences of choices

Through the UOI:

The students had a wider idea of the various fruits and vegetables, they came to know about the vegetable map i.e the root and the shoot vegetables as well the leafy vegetables. The class had a quite long lasting discussion on the food pyramid ; through it they came to know about the grain and cereal family, various milk products veg and non veg products, nuts and the junk food family.

The students were taken to RELIANCE FRESH where they practically got a closer look at the different vegetables, fruits, grains ,cereals,pulses, juices, milk products and ofcourse the junk family.

They got a clear idea as to why the grain/cereals/pulses occupy the largest slab and why is the junk food allotted the space at the peak. Getting a fair idea on the food choices through the pyramid the kids had various class discussions , worksheets and home projects for e.g the breakfast , lunch and dinner plates that they had to prepare regarding their respective preferences of food.

Their knowledge about a nutritious and healthy life was very well reflected through the various class worksheets and discussions

As a part of the healthy diet the kids also prepared sprouts right from the soaking part to steaming them in the school pantry.
The kids also had brought to school some vegetables of their choice which also took care of the sorting of vegetables as per color, shape size and other factors such as root , shoot taste.

We also had a nutritionist visiting the school discussing with the kids the imp of a healthy life style.

Covering the hygiene aspect of our UOI ;the kids came up with their daily routine and observed how it differed with the routine of their classmates.

Also with a dentist visiting them they realized the importance of keeping their teeth healthy, they got a fair idea of what cavities are and points to be kept in mind to avoid them .

The in class glitter activity helped the students to know that germs too spread in the similar way ; thus inculcating and enhancing in them the habit of washing hands.

To ensure the same the kids were given a checklist on daily habits as a home project to reinforce the concepts of a healthy and hygienic life style.

As a part of the same the kids also acted as hygiene detectives surveying the various parts of the school and reporting about its hygienic and unhygienic sections.

Approaching towards the end of our UOI we had discussions on a fit lifestyle; the importance of fitness in our lifestyle.

We had sessions of yoga, exercise , discussions on the benefits of laughter in our daily lives , difference between indoor and outdoor games.

The students were taken to a field trip to SURAT CITY GYMKHANA PIPLOD , to get a clear idea of what it takes to have fit lifestyle.

In support to our UOI we also had various books read out to the students, stories on a healthy lifestyle through power point presentations, puppet show wherein a healthy , hygienic and fit lifestyle and its importance was depicted and nature walks explaining the importance of a unpolluted environment.
Sr Kg Teachers