Curriculum
In response to the need for nutrition education curriculum that is evidence-based, aligned with education standards, and integrated with other subject areas, researchers at CNS have developed the resources below for use throughout the school community. CNS also offers professional development curriculum for use by school employees.
Nutrition Education Competencies
In collaboration with the California Department of Education, CNS researchers have created comprehensive and sequential goals for nutrition education for California's children, pre-kindergarten through grade twelve. This includes Nutrition Education Competencies for Preschool Children and Nutrition Education Competencies Aligned with the California Health Education Content Standards (Grades K-12). These are free, downloadable resources.
Nutrition Education Resource Guide
A resource to assist local educational agencies and after-school programs in their efforts to implement well-planned, high-quality instructional programs in nutrition education. The purpose of this guide is to provide an instructional resource for California schools, from kindergarten through grade twelve, to implement effective, standards-based nutrition education programs for students. The guide was designed to (1) meet the Health Education Content Standards for California Public Schools, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve (California Department of Education 2008) in the Nutrition and Physical Activity content area; and (2) address the nutrition competencies. Educators may use it as a resource to plan, implement, and evaluate instructional strategies for a comprehensive nutrition education program. These are free, downloadable resources.
Nutrition to Grow On (Grades 4-6)
Nutrition to Grow On is an innovative curriculum created by CNS Co-Director Dr. Sheri Zidenberg-Cherr and Jennifer Morris for grades four through six that offers teachers a direct link between the garden and nutrition education. Nine lessons are designed to teach children and their families about nutrition by relating each lesson to a garden activity. The curriculum uses the garden to integrate disciplines, including science, mathematics, language arts, history, environmental studies, nutrition and health, while reinforcing the California academic content standards. This is a free, downloadable resource.
Connecting the Dots...Healthy Foods, Healthy Choices, Healthy Kids!! (Preschool)
In conjunction with California Department of Education, CNS researchers have created a set of nutrition competencies and a competency-based resource guide. Connecting the Dots… is filled with materials that have been created by nutrition, health, and education experts. It has been created as a way for child care providers and teachers of preschool-aged children to have an array of teaching materials that cover the Nutrition Education Competencies. Connecting the Dots... is divided into nine sections including the competencies, teacher materials, activities, recipes, parent materials, field trip ideas, gardening materials, a section for children under two, and a list of additional resources. These cover the entire scope of the nutrition competencies and are all cross-referenced to each other. This is a free, downloadable resource.
The following materials were created by CNS with funding from the California Department of Education to provide professional development resources for child nutrition personnel. To find out more about professional development offered through CNS, visit our training opportunities page.
Financial Management II for Child Nutrition Directors, Student Resource Manual
This manual is designed for experienced Child Nutrition Directors to explore some of the complex financial management issues, trends, and strategies in food service programs. This is a free, downloadable resource.
Nutrient Standard Menu Planning, Student Resource Manual
This manual is designed for individuals interested in learning the requirements for the Nutrient Standard Menu Planning options used in California schools. This training manual addresses USDA nutrition and menu planning requirements. In addition, related resources and tools to assist in successful menu planning are provided. This is a free, downloadable resource.
Food-Based Menu Planning, Student Resource Manual
This manual is designed for individuals interested in learning the requirements for the Food-Based Menu Planning options used in California schools. This training manual addresses USDA nutrition and menu planning requirements. In addition, related resources and tools to assist in successful menu planning are provided. This is a free, downloadable resource.
External Resources
Below are links to external sites with content that may be of use to individuals seeking information about curriculum related to nutrition in schools.
- Cooperative Extension ANR Catalog (Outside Source)
- California Healthy Kids Resource Center (Outside Source)
- Ethnic and Cultural Nutrition-Related Resources (Outside Source)
- USDA National Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Information Center Nutrition Education Resources (Outside Source)
- Healthy Meals Resource System, Nutrition Education Resource List (Outside Source)
- Harvest of the Month Educator Newsletter (Outside Source)
- Full list of external resources relevant to nutrition in schools