Grade 5 Science – Performance Task

Task:   Design a Healthy Meal Plan

Objective:

Students will demonstrate their understanding of food groups, nutrients, and balanced diet by designing a healthy meal plan for a day.

General Instructions:

This task consists of three parts. Part 1 has four questions; Part 2 has four questions and Part 3 has two questions.

Part 1:

Mrs. Wilson created a one-day meal plan after her visit to the doctor the day before. A copy of her meal plan is shown below, in Source 1.

She was introduced to quinoa a superfood in Source 2. Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is prepared and consumed like a cereal grain, it’s categorized as a pseudocereal, as it doesn’t grow on grass like wheat, oats, and rice. Mrs Wilson decided to try this new superfood in her meal plan.

Examine Mrs. Wilson’s one-day meal plan carefully then answer the questions using complete sentences.

Source 1:

One-Day Meal Plan
Day:	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snack
Wednesday	Whole grain oatmeal with berries and almonds.   Low-fat milk   Sliced bananas.	Whole grain sandwich with roasted turkey breast, lettuce, tomato, and avocado on whole wheat bread.   Carrot sticks   Greek yogurt with honey	Grilled salmon with lemon and herbs.   Quinoa and mixed vegetables (broccoli, carrots, peppers, onions).   Spinach salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and balsamic vinaigrette dressing	Apple slices with almond butter
This meal plan includes a variety of food groups and provides all the necessary nutrients for good health. The breakfast includes whole grains, fruit, and dairy. The lunch includes lean protein, whole grains, vegetables, and dairy. The dinner includes lean protein, whole grains, and vegetables. The snack includes fruit and healthy fat. This meal plan also includes healthy sources of carbohydrates, protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Source 2:

1. How many of the six food groups were included in Mrs. Wilson’s one-day meal plan?
2. List the foods in each of the food group identified in Mrs. Wilson’s meal plan?
3. Does Mrs. Wilson’s meal plan provide all the necessary nutrients for good health? Explain.
4. Is the snack in Mrs. Wilson meal a healthy choice. Justify your answer.

Part 2:

Based on your understanding of food groups, nutrients, and balanced diet; use the food guide or nutrition chart provided in Source 3 below to help you plan your meals and ensure that you are including a variety of foods from each food group.

1. Choose a day of the week and design a healthy meal plan that includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
2. For each meal, include at least three food groups and explain why those foods were chosen.
3. Ensure that the meal plan provides all the necessary nutrients for good health.
4. Include at least one snack in your meal plan and explain why it is a healthy choice.

Part 3:

1. Write a short paragraph explaining why you chose the foods you did and how they contribute to a balanced diet.
2. Present your meal plan in a creative and visually appealing way. You could create a poster or a written report with pictures and diagrams.

Assessment:

Your meal plan will be assessed based on the following criteria:

• The inclusion of at least three food groups in each meal.
• The variety of foods chosen from each food group.
• The explanation of why each food was chosen.
• The provision of all necessary nutrients for good health.
• The inclusion of a healthy snack.
• The clarity and creativity of the presentation.
• The overall effectiveness of the meal plan in meeting the objectives of a balanced diet.

I hope this performance task will be helpful for assessing your grade 5 students’ understanding of nutrition and their ability to apply their knowledge to practical situations!

Please also see exam/test papers on the following topics:

Grade 5 End of Term Science Test