Feed USA Project:Healthy Afterschool Fruit Smoothies
My students need 15 literacy materials related to nutrition, and a blender to make fruit smoothies.
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Karas's classroom raised $277
This project is fully funded
My Students
With childhood obesity on the rise, learning to eat healthy is of the utmost importance for children today. Good nutrition is key and learning how to make fruit smoothies for an afterschool snack will be a fun hands on activity my students can do in my ESL afterschool program.
My English Language Learners are a unique multicultural group, who I call my "Mini League of Nations." Some of my students come to school knowing little or no English from homes where another language is spoken.
These languages include Russian, Hebrew, Arabic, Spanish, Chinese, Urdu, Polish, Italian, Haitian Creole and French. This mix of cultures also brings with it a variety of knowledge about the foods and diets from their native countries. Speaking about foods is a basic first step in learning a new language and a perfect place to begin discussing healthy eating habits.
My Project
I am requesting a blender to be used in the classroom. In addition, I want to purchase literacy materials that teach about a healthy diet and why nutrition is important. I want children to realize that eating healthy can taste good and be fun as well. Access to fresh fruits is limited during the school day. I see my afterschool students eating chips and cookies and drinking sugary drinks. Although the school does supply us with snacks that are considered "healthy" fruit is missing and children sometimes forgo the snacks provided to buy chips and sugary treats from the snack cart and vending machines. Not only does unhealthy snacking lead to obesity but it also adds to difficulties in behavior. Children get hyped up on sugar and their attention span is shortened and they become overactive and frustrated.
Healthy habits have to begin at an early age.
No matter what their cultural heritage, kids today in the US are becoming more and more obese. Obesity leads to so many health disorders that could be totally avoided if children were informed enough to make better choices about which foods they eat. No child wants to be teased because they are "fat!" No child wants to grow up to be an unhealthy adult. Our children deserve to be the best they can be!
More than half of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Karas and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.