My Teeth's Favourite Things Graph
Level 2 strengthens application and explanation. 'My Teeth's Favourite Things Graph' deepens understanding of health responsibility.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Health, Safety and Hygiene
- Learning area: Numeracy
- Level: EYFS Reception
Objectives
- Explain safety/hygiene reasoning
- Apply concept independently
- Collaborate during activity
Instructions
Materials
- Large poster board with a pre-drawn grid.
- Laminated pictures of healthy foods and sugary snacks.
- Adhesive putty or magnetic tape.
- Small individual name cards for each student.
- Markers and a pointer stick.
Learning Objectives
- Sort items into two distinct categories based on dental health.
- Contribute data to a collective bar graph.
- Compare quantities using terms like more, less, and equal.
- Identify the relationship between food choices and tooth health.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Gather the children in a circle and display the empty graph. Label the horizontal axis with a picture of a happy tooth and a sad tooth.
2. Hold up the food pictures one by one and ask the group to identify each item.
3. Facilitate a brief discussion on why some foods are teeth-friendly and others are not.
4. Invite students to choose one food picture and decide which side of the graph it belongs to.
5. Have each student place their chosen picture in the corresponding column on the grid.
6. Once the graph is populated, count the items in each column aloud as a group.
7. Write the total number at the top of each column to reinforce the link between objects and numerals.
8. Use the pointer to compare the two columns and ask the children which side has more or less.
9. Ask students to place their name card next to the food they think is the healthiest choice for their teeth.
Educator Tip
If the group struggles with the concept of more or less, use physical blocks to represent each food item on the floor before transferring the data to the poster. This tactile transition helps children visualize the height difference between the two columns more clearly.
Assessment
- Observe if the student correctly categorizes the food items as healthy or unhealthy.
- Note the ability of the student to accurately count the items in each column.
- Evaluate the student's use of comparative language during the group discussion.
Educator tip
Require complete thoughts (sentence frames); rotate roles in pairs; photograph work for portfolios.
Assessment
Assess against Early Learning Goals (ELGs). Document evidence of 'expected' or 'exceeding' descriptors. Note: independent application of skills, ability to explain reasoning, and capacity to build on prior learning. Observe reasoning, independence, collaboration.