Introducing - BOB and the Lunchbox Classroom - an exciting new teaching pack on nutrition for use in primary schools. Perfect for project work or a healthy food week.

The pack is full of integrated tools designed to support each other or work independently to help primary school children learn about foods which are helpful to our bodies. These 'body foods' need to be balanced in our diets and so the BOB stands for Balance Of Body food!

• BOB Lunchbox Sheet and BOB Hot Lunch SheetChildren look at their own lunch whether it is the menu for the hot meal provided or a lunchbox from home and using the relevant pictorial questionnaire, they tick off what they will have today. What is each food is doing for their bodies? Do they have a good balance of helpful body foods? Do they have a lot of clutter? Designed to cover a wide range of food without being judgemental, this can be extended using the teaching sheet provided to include number work and graphs.
• The Lunchbox and Hot Lunch Guide SheetsThese simplified versions guide the children to the value of the different food groups in their meal. When photocopied on to the back of a Lunchbox Sheet or Hot Lunch Sheet they make excellent handouts to take home. Children can share their learning at home and use these sheets to guide them when making balanced lunchboxes or hot meals.
• The Lunchbox Classroom StoryA delightful story about Robert who is dismayed to find that his class is doing a project on healthy eating when he is busy enough with his own problems. As they use the Lunchbox Sheets in class however, he gradually discovers the importance of healthy food choices in his own diet. Read in 7 instalments it describes, food group by food group, how healthy eating can be taught using the Lunchbox Sheets. Illustrated by Margaret Chamberlain throughout.
• Learning and Activity SheetsThese follow the chapters of the story which are each based on a different food group. They explain the basic importance of each group complementing the information in the story and suggesting discussion points and experiments. Photocopiable design sheets complement and support each themed Learning Sheet with games, puzzles and design work to reinforce the simple key messages relevant to children's food choices in the world today.
• Ten Top Tips PosterA full colour A2 poster for display which illustrates the ten key points we all need to consider when trying to make up a packed lunch or balance any meal. With beautiful illustrations from leading children's book illustrator Margaret Chamberlain.
• A0 Floor SheetThis sheet is ideal for group work and work with real food, tins or packets brought in from home. Where on the sheet do their foods go? Do they perhaps belong in more than one group? Is there a good balance of food on the sheet or what else could go on to make a balance of body foods? Even small children will enjoy handling real food and deciding where it belongs.
• BOB animation for PC or MacThis short but charming animation introduces a character Bob who is trying to decide what he needs in his lunchbox. Runs from the CD with narration by Dr Sue Beckers and provides the perfect introduction to the whole pack, outlining the broad food groups and their importance. With simple beautifully observed animations by Josh Beckers (15yrs) this is not to be missed by children and staff alike!
• Recipe SheetsSimple 'food to try' ideas accompany each food group and can be copied as handouts for children to take home. Some are suitable in the classroom with volunteer help. Designed to broaden the tastes away from the overwhelming use of wheat, cheese and sugar and introduce other filling ideas which are simple to make providing variety in the balance.
• CD ROMAll the sheets together with the handouts and the animation are provided on a copywrited CD ROM which allows the sheets to be shared on the interactive white board and copies of the activity sheets and handouts made by digital printing.

by sue beckers