Thank you to all for responding to our Spotlight's on You request for ideas. It's clear that many of you are extending Little D's Nutrition Expedition™ lessons in fun and interesting ways. This month, we thank Sandy McCann from the Fred L. Aiken Elementary School, Pittsburg, Pa. for submitting her 'Cowtooning' activity. She uses the lesson after teaching Sir Milkford and Lady Holly's Milk Group, Activity 2.

'Cowtooning' for the Milk Group

Review the Thank Goodness for Cows mini book that students made in Sir Milkford and Lady Holly's lesson beforehand to activate their background knowledge.

Begin by having students follow step-by-step instructions to quickly draw, then color and cut out a cartoon cow. For directions, search "how to draw a cow" on the Web. Pause video instructions between steps, or copy steps onto the chalkboard.

Next, distribute a "speech-bubble" worksheet (PDF) and have children write a Milk Group fact from the cow's viewpoint. McCann emphasizes that it must be a fact – not an opinion – and a complete sentence.

Have students cut out their speech bubbles. Display them with the cows on black paper. Ask your school nutrition director about displaying them in the cafeteria or milk–serving area for a classroom–cafeteria connection.

"This is a great sequencing and following directions activity," says McCann. "They have to follow the instructions for their cows to turn out right." Focusing on fact vs. opinion also extends the Little D's Nutrition Expedition™ Language Arts theme. "In fact, it's a concept that we are working on right now," she adds.

Spotlight's on You for Fall

We're looking for ideas to feature in our fall eNews that incorporate technology, such as the SMART Board™, into teaching with Little D's Nutrition Expedition™. Send us a one– or two–sentence description telling us what you are doing, along with your contact information.