Write the names of the food groups across a whiteboard or chalkboard. Divide the class into two teams and refer to them by colors (e.g., blue team and yellow team). Give each member of the blue team six sheets of blue paper and each member of the yellow team six sheets of yellow paper. Ask pupils to draw foods from one of the food groups on their papers. Have them place their pictures in paper bags labeled "Blue Team" and "Yellow Team." Line the teams up at one end of the room, opposite the bags. A member of each team runs to the bag, chooses a picture then places it under the correct food group heading using tape or magnets. When each pupil has had a turn, go through the bags and count how many items each team categorized correctly. The paper colors will allow you to distinguish between the two teams.
Collect menus from a variety of restaurants. Show pupils the menus and lead a discussion on the healthy and unhealthy food choices in each one. Divide the class into groups of two to three pupils. Provide each group with a piece of white paper folded in half. Each group designs its own menu. On the front of the menu, pupils write the name of their restaurant. Inside the menu, they must describe at least two healthy meal choices that contain items from each of the food groups.
Collect discarded magazines and grocery store fliers. Divide the class into groups of two to three pupils. Provide each group with a paper plate. Each group must create a healthy meal by cutting out food items from the magazines and fliers and gluing them onto the plate. When completed, ask groups to show their plates to the class and discuss the food choices they made. As an extension, you could provide each group with three plates and ask them to create healthy meals for breakfast, lunch and supper.
Provide each pupil with a large piece of white paper, divided into six sections. Alternatively, draw triangles to resemble the food pyramid and divide them into six columns. Have pupils label each section with the name of a food group. Pupils must then draw and color three to five items that belong in each food group. Instead of drawing, you may wish to have pupils cut out items from magazines and fliers and glue them onto their pages.