Thank you for the food we eat

This lesson is aimed at Foundation Phase pupils, and lays the groundwork for Who made breakfast?. It introduces pupils to the idea that much of our food and things we use every day come from animals, and that the animals deserve to have a happy and healthy life. Pupils construct a mobile, which can be displayed as a reminder of how much we have to thank animals for. To prepare for this lesson, you could organise a farm visit beforehand. The Education and animals - guidance for educational establishments (PDF 360KB) provides information on the welfare needs of farm animals to consider when making school visits.

Curriculum objectives

Pupils should learn:

• that humans and other animals need food and water to stay alive
• to show care and concern for others.

Animal welfare objectives

Pupils should learn:

• that all animals have basic needs, be they pets, farm animals or wild animals
• that much of the food we eat and things we use every day come from animals
• that farm animals are different to pets because they are bred for the purpose of producing food and other things
• that farm animals deserve to be kept happy and healthy.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this lesson:

• most pupils will: be able to recognise the animal source of some everyday foodstuffs. They will understand that farm animals are not kept for the same reason as pets
• some pupils will not have made so much progress and will: know that certain everyday foodstuffs come from farm animals. They will understand that farm animals are not kept for the same reason as pets
• some pupils will have progressed further and will: be able to recognise the animal source of some everyday foodstuffs. They will understand that farm animals are not kept for the same reason as pets and will be able to explain what the Freedom Food logo means.