Lesson Overview
This free GEPT Elementary handout helps students practice A2 reading and speaking through the topic: Healthy School Lunch: Choosing Food That Helps You Learn.
Each lesson includes three readings, vocabulary, short dialogs, speaking frames, quiz questions, and an answer key for classroom use.
Reading 1 | Lunch Tray Choices
At lunch, Leo looks at the school menu. Today there is rice, chicken, cabbage, soup, and oranges. Leo likes chicken, but he does not like cabbage. He wants to take only rice and chicken.
His friend Amy says, 'A balanced lunch has different foods. You need vegetables too.' Leo takes a small amount of cabbage. He also takes an orange because fruit is sweet and fresh.
After lunch, Leo feels full but not too heavy. He says, 'Maybe cabbage is not so bad.' Amy laughs and says, 'You do not have to love every vegetable, but you can try a little.'
Reading 2 | Food Groups
A healthy meal can include vegetables, fruits, grains, protein foods, and dairy foods. These foods help the body in different ways. Vegetables and fruits give vitamins. Grains give energy. Protein helps the body grow and repair.
Students do not need a perfect meal every day, but they can make better choices. They can choose water, eat different colors of vegetables, and try fruit instead of candy after lunch.
Healthy eating is not only about rules. It is about having energy for class, sports, and life. A good lunch can help students stay active in the afternoon.
Reading 3 | A Class Menu
Ms. Chen asks students to design a healthy school lunch menu. Each group must include at least three food groups. They also need to explain why their lunch is good for students.
Leo's group makes a menu with brown rice, grilled chicken, carrots, bananas, and milk. Amy's group makes noodles with vegetables, tofu, fruit, and yogurt.
The class votes for the most colorful menu. Students learn that healthy food can be simple and tasty. They also learn new English words for talking about meals.
Speaking Practice
For lunch, I usually eat ____.
A healthy lunch should have ____.
I like ____ but I do not like ____.
I can make my lunch healthier by ____.
Teacher Notes
Use the warm-up questions before Reading 1.
Ask students to role-play the dialogs in pairs, then change one detail and practice again.
Use the quiz as a quick review or homework check.
Source Notes
USDA MyPlate: https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/myplate
USDA MyPlate Guide to School Lunch: https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/myplate-guide-school-lunch
Dialog 口說對話
Leo: I do not want cabbage.
Amy: Try a little. It is good for you.
Leo: Can I take more chicken?
Amy: Sure, but take some vegetables too.
Leo: OK. Just a small amount.
Student: Can I have soda?
Teacher: Water is a better choice for lunch.
Student: Why?
Teacher: It has no sugar and helps your body.
Student: Then I will drink water.
Teacher: What food groups are in your menu?
Amy: We have grains, protein, vegetables, fruit, and dairy.
Teacher: Good. Is it balanced?
Amy: Yes. It has many colors too.
Teacher: Nice work.