Laminate your folders and create slots on the bottom where the fruit shapes can be placed when the folder is not in use. Print pictures of the fruits and vegetables you want to use for the folder and place Velcro on the back of each. Tape a duplicate picture of each fruit or vegetable to the file folder, with a matching piece of Velcro in the middle of each picture. Teach students to match and identify the corresponding fruits or vegetables. Students can practice on their own or as a group.
Create a folder with sections labeled with each of the different food groups and a picture of something from that food group. Print and laminate pictures of different foods within the groups, such as bread, cereal, apples, oranges, celery, cucumbers, milk, eggs and meat. Explain what types of food are in each food group to the students. Point to each group on the file folder and show what types of food go in each group, then let students practice on their own. Check their work for accuracy.
Label one side of your file folder with "Junk Food" and pictures of candy or soda or other fattening foods. Label the other side of your folder with "Healthy Foods" and include pictures of healthier foods like grains, fruits and vegetables. Print out pictures of the different types of foods and put Velcro on the back. Place Velcro spots on each side of the file folder. Teach students how to tell a healthy food from a junk food and let them practice sticking the different foods in each category.
Make a file folder with each letter of the alphabet and a Velcro patch over it. Print pictures of different types of food that begin with one of the letters in the alphabet. Attach Velcro to each picture of food and help the students learn what letter each picture starts with. Let students practice placing the different foods on the correct letter and check the placements for accuracy. As students progress, add two foods for each letter and challenge them to match each food with a letter.