Lesson # 14: Food as Art

Week 14 of Food is Elementary was our "Food as Art" lesson. Students created colorful, creative, and healthy designs on their plates using foods that they have studied in previous lessons. Before gobbling up their beautiful works of art, students proudly displayed their creations for the Food Educators and their peers.

Because week 14 was the last week of the first semester of Food is Elementary, we began our "Food is Art" lesson with a review of the last 13 weeks. Students demonstrated that they retained a great deal of what was covered during the first semester by answering questions about the food pyramid, dietary fat, exercise, vitamins, and the different fruits, vegetables, and recipes they enjoyed with their classmates.

Next, the Food Educators reviewed the concept of food as art. Students were reminded to use different colors and textures when creating their edible works of art. The vitamins present in some of their art materials (strawberries, carrots, kale greens, dates, sunflower seeds, etc.) were also reviewed.

After washing their hands, students began arranging beautiful designs on their plates using foods that they have encountered in previous lessons. Students made faces, animals, and abstract pictures. Nearly everyone was able to finish their work of art before digging in, but it was hard to fault those who couldn't...fruits,vegetables, and seeds are so delicious!