Activity Overview
Creating a food log is a great way for students to think about their own diet and have them think visually about what makes a balanced and healthy diet. Using a chart, students will create clear and concise food logs that illustrate what they have eaten over the course of two days. As well as using Photos for Class and the food items on Storyboard That, students can also photograph their food over two days and upload these images into Storyboard That.
To stretch some of your more advanced students, have students decide whether the log represents a healthy balanced diet or not. Then get students to suggest ways to improve their diet, potentially in pairs or small groups.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a food log using a chart on Storyboard That to keep track of the food you’ve eaten over two days.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Label the rows as breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Label the columns as day one and day two.
- Either take photos of your food over two days and upload them to Storyboard That, use images on Storyboard That, or use Photos for Class to find images to represent that food that you have eaten.
- Underneath the cell write a short description of the food you have eaten.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 16 Points | Beginning 0 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Images | There are uploaded images or visualizations for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks for both days. | The are uploaded images or visualizations for most meals. | The are uploaded images or visualizations for some meals. |
| Desciption | There is a description for every meal including quantities. | There is a description for most meals including quantities. | There is a description for some meals including quantities. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
Activity Overview
Creating a food log is a great way for students to think about their own diet and have them think visually about what makes a balanced and healthy diet. Using a chart, students will create clear and concise food logs that illustrate what they have eaten over the course of two days. As well as using Photos for Class and the food items on Storyboard That, students can also photograph their food over two days and upload these images into Storyboard That.
To stretch some of your more advanced students, have students decide whether the log represents a healthy balanced diet or not. Then get students to suggest ways to improve their diet, potentially in pairs or small groups.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a food log using a chart on Storyboard That to keep track of the food you’ve eaten over two days.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Label the rows as breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Label the columns as day one and day two.
- Either take photos of your food over two days and upload them to Storyboard That, use images on Storyboard That, or use Photos for Class to find images to represent that food that you have eaten.
- Underneath the cell write a short description of the food you have eaten.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 16 Points | Beginning 0 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Images | There are uploaded images or visualizations for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks for both days. | The are uploaded images or visualizations for most meals. | The are uploaded images or visualizations for some meals. |
| Desciption | There is a description for every meal including quantities. | There is a description for most meals including quantities. | There is a description for some meals including quantities. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
How Tos about Keep a Food Journal
How to facilitate a class discussion on healthy eating using student food journals
Guide students to share their food journals in small groups or as a whole class. Encourage respectful listening and open conversation as students discuss their entries and reflect on their choices.
Prompt students to identify patterns in their eating habits
Ask students to look for trends in their food journals, such as repeated foods or skipped meals. Discuss how these patterns might affect their health and energy levels.
Model how to connect food choices to the concept of balanced diets
Demonstrate how to compare food journal entries against a visual of the food groups or a balanced plate. Help students spot missing food groups and brainstorm healthier swaps.
Encourage students to set one small, realistic nutrition goal
Have each student choose a simple goal for the upcoming week, such as adding a fruit to breakfast. Explain that small changes make a big difference over time.
Frequently Asked Questions about Keep a Food Journal
How do I create a simple food journal lesson for 4th or 5th graders?
Start by having students make a food log chart with rows for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, and columns for two days. Students can add photos or drawings of what they eat and write brief descriptions. This makes food journaling interactive and visual for elementary students.
What is the best way for students to track their meals in class?
Using a chart-based food log is the most effective way. Students record meals for each part of the day over two days, adding images and short descriptions. Digital tools like Storyboard That or Photos for Class make tracking easy and engaging.
How can I help students analyze if their diet is balanced?
Encourage students to review their food journal and check if they included all food groups. Ask them to discuss in pairs or groups whether their diet is balanced and suggest improvements for healthier eating habits.
What tools can students use to create a food log with images?
Students can use Storyboard That to organize their food logs, upload their own photos, or search for food images using Photos for Class. These platforms make it easy to add visuals and descriptions to their food journal.
How do I adapt a food journaling activity for advanced students?
For advanced students, ask them to evaluate whether their food log shows a balanced diet and suggest ways to improve their eating habits. They can collaborate in small groups to share ideas and reflect on nutrition choices.
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