By

Alyssa Gutierrez,   Zavala Elem

Play:

Snack Smarter Schoolwide

Topics:

Access to Healthy Foods, Physical Activity Participation, Student Leadership,  Teamwork

FUTP 60 students were asked to make a poster of their favorite snack. They drew their snack, wrote the nutritional facts about their snacks, and explained why this snack was their favorite healthy snack. Some of our FUTP 60 students were able to come into our lower grades and present their healthy snacks. With the knowledge of their healthy snacks, our students were able to play a game involving basketball and making a plate. We used 5 basketball rims to separate the nutrients of the “My Plate.” On the 2 courts that have 7 ½ ft. rims, poly spots of fruits and vegetables were placed on the floor. On the other 2 courts that have 8 ½ ft. rims, poly spots/beanbags of grains and dairy were placed on the floor. On our last court with a 10ft rim, poly spots/beanbags of protein were placed on the floor. Nine teams that consisted of 6-8 students were placed with a poster size plate. One person from every team would dribble to any court they chose to shoot at and find a poly spot/beanbag they stood over to try to make the shot. If the basket was made, the student picked up their poly spot/beanbag and dribbled back to their team and if they missed the basket they would dribble back to their team without taking a poly spot/beanbag. In each of the baskets, I also scattered poly spots/beanbags of junk food. Each person got a chance at trying to complete their healthy plate.

How did students and adults work together as a team?

Our teachers allowed some of our FUTP 60 students to present their healthy snack to our lower grade levels.

How do you plan to make this Play last during the school year and beyond?

Have our FUTP 60 students continue to promote their healthy snack all year long and place their posters throughout the campus.

What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?

A little challenge is that some students could not leave their class to present to the other grade levels, so those students would present to their own peers.