Food Find

Research shows that early elementary is a key time for food exploration and exposure to improve food acceptance. At this developmental stage, teacher supported play lets students explore food in a safe and engaging environment. This activity sheet connects food exploration with learning outcomes in math by using food images to count and linking numbers to quantities.

There are two versions of this activity sheet. Sheet one provides students with the total number of foods they should be looking for. This is appropriate for earlier learners to practice counting. Sheet two allows students to search for specific foods and count totals. This is appropriate for learners to practice counting and relating numbers to quantity.

Suggested ways to use this activity sheet:

Sheet One:

1. Download and print one “Food Find” sheet for each student.
2. Have students:
   • Search the image for the correct number of each food shown at the bottom of the page.
   • Circle or colour the foods as they find them.
3. Encourage students to count the number of foods they find to make sure they have them all.
4. Review as a class. Consider asking extension questions such as have you tried any of these foods? In what kind of meal? Does this look like the place you shop for food?

Sheet Two:

1. Download and print one “Food Find” sheet for each student.
2. Have students:
   • Search the image for as many of the foods shown at the bottom of the page as they can find.
   • Circle or colour the foods as they find them.
3. Once students think that they have found all of the foods hidden in the image, have them count the total number that they have found. Circle each total at the bottom of the page next to the appropriate food image.
4. Review as a class. Consider asking extension questions such as have you tried any of these foods? In what kind of meal? Does this look like the place you shop for food?