Youth Curricula

The list below features CalFresh Healthy Living, UC-approved elementary school curricula sorted by grade level. Within each grade, the curricula are arranged alphabetically.

• BE Physically Active 2 Day (Grades K-5)

• BE Physically Active 2 Day (BEPA 2.0) is a classroom-based physical activity program aligned to national health education (HE) and physical education (PE) standards for grades K-5. BEPA 2.0 includes over 50 unique, brain-boosting physical activities that teachers can use to reinforce grade-level movement skills and competencies and teach HE and PE literacy. It can be used inside and outside of the classroom, and works great before, during, or after school.

  Language(s): English, Spanish
  Delivery Method: Single session or series
  Number of Lessons: Over 50 activity cards used to deliver physical activity breaks
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 5-10 minute activities that can be combined into 20+ minutes

• CATCH PE Boxes (Grades K-2 and 3-5)

• CATCH is based on the CDC Whole School, Whole Community and Whole Child model where health education, school environment and family/communities work together to support a healthy lifestyle in youth.

  Language(s): English
  Delivery Method: Single session or series
  Number of Lessons: Over 350 activity cards arranged into 4 lesson segments
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 20+ minutes if 4 segments are implemented

  Additional Links:
  CATCH (Grades K-2) PE Box
  CATCH (Grades 3-5) PE Box

  For ordering digital CATCH curriculum, visit CATCH.org. For hard copy CATCH curriculum materials and equipment, order from School Specialty. The CFHL, UC approval process for ordering CATCH materials can be found here.

  For CATCH implementation resources, please visit the CFHL, UC Physical Activity initiative webpage.

• CATCH Nutrition Curricula (Grades K-5)

• CATCH is based on the CDC Whole School, Whole Community, and Whole Child model in which health education, school environment, and family/community work together to a healthy lifestyle in youth.

  Language(s): English
  Delivery Method: Single session or series
  Number of Lessons: Varies by grade level
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: Varies by grade level - Kindergarten-2nd (25 minutes), 3rd-5th (40 minutes)

  Additional Links:
  Jump into Health (Kindergarten Curriculum)
  Everyday Foods for Health (Grade 1 Curriculum)
  Celebrate Health (Grade 2 Curriculum)
  Hearty Heart and Friends (Grade 3 Curriculum)
  Taking Off (Grade 4 Curriculum)
  Breaking Through Barriers (Grade 5 Curriculum)

  For CATCH implementation resources, please visit the CFHL, UC Physical Activity initiative webpage.

• Discover MyPlate: Nutrition Education for Kindergarten (Grade K)

• Discover MyPlate is fun and inquiry-based nutrition education that fosters the development of healthy food choices and physically active lifestyles during a critical developmental and learning period for children — kindergarten. Curriculum can be used during school.

  Language(s): English, Spanish
  Delivery Method: Series
  Number of Lessons: 6
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: Time varies (60+ minutes)

• Eating Healthy from Farm to Fork (Grades K-2)

• Eating Healthy from Farm to Fork is a nutrition curriculum that connects local food systems, garden-based learning, and school food service to establish healthy habits. The lessons actively engage children in learning about healthy choices for food and fitness. Curriculum can be used during school.

  Language(s): English, Spanish
  Delivery Method: Single session or series
  Number of Lessons: Varies by grade level - Kindergarten (10 lessons), 1st grade (8 lessons), 2nd grade (8 lessons)
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: Varies by grade level (45+ minutes)

• Happy Healthy Me (Grades Pre-K-K)

• Happy Healthy Me... Moving, Munching & Reading Around MyPlate is a literacy curriculum that helps children become aware of food and nutrition by reading storybooks with food-related themes and participating in hands-on nutrition education and physical activities. Curriculum can be used in schools and early child care settings.

  Language(s): English, Spanish, Hmong
  Delivery Method: Single session or series
  Number of Lessons: 9
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: Time varies (30+ minutes; lesson can be delivered in shorter segments over a 1-week period)
  Virtual Delivery Materials located in Google Drive.

• Let's Eat Healthy (Grade K) – Previously Building Healthy Me

• Let's Eat Healthy (Kindergarten) explores how food can help the body and mind by learning about the food groups with fun characters. Children learn where food comes from and what they can do to help with food preparation and cleanup.

  Language(s): English
  Delivery Method: Series
  Number of Lessons: 5
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 5-15 minutes

• My Amazing Body (Grades K-1)

• My Amazing Body is a nutrition curriculum that teaches students to learn about the amazing things their body can do and explore how they can keep their bodies healthy through eating nutrient-rich foods, getting plenty of exercise and sleep, and practicing good hygiene. Curriculum can be used during school, after school and with 4-H programs.

  Language(s): English, Spanish
  Delivery Method: Series
  Number of Lessons: 5
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 60+ minutes (lesson can be delivered in shorter segments over a 1-week period)
  Virtual Delivery Materials located in Google Drive.

• Serving Up MyPlate: A Yummy Curriculum (Grades K-6)

• Serving Up MyPlate: A Yummy Curriculum is a USDA Curriculum that teaches the importance of eating from all five food groups through inquiry-driven lessons. Classroom materials integrate nutrition into science, math, language arts and health. Curriculum can be used during school, after school and with 4-H programs.

  Language(s): English, Spanish, Chinese
  Delivery Method: Series
  Number of Lessons: 3 (3 sessions per lesson)
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 30-60 minutes per session
  Virtual Delivery Materials located in Google Drive.

• TWIGS: Teams with Intergenerational Support (Grades K-8)

• TWIGS includes lessons that connect gardening with nutrition for children in K-8th grade. The focus is to positively influence participants’ food choices through the development and harvesting of a vegetable garden. Curriculum can be used during school, after school and with 4-H programs.

  Language(s): English, Spanish
  Delivery Method: Single session or series
  Number of Lessons: 30
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 60-90 minutes
  Virtual Delivery Materials located in Google Drive.

• Eagle Adventure (Grades 1-3)

• Eagle Adventure is a type 2 diabetes education and prevention program for students in 1st-3rd grades. The program is made up of seven visits to the school throughout the semester. Six are in-class and one assembly where Eagle Play is presented. Lessons incorporate Native American culture and language for the Chickasaw Nation.

  Language(s): English
  Delivery Method: Series
  Number of Lessons: 4
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 35 minutes

• Let's Eat Healthy (Grade 1) – Previously Healthy Choices, Healthy Me!

• Let's Eat Healthy (1st Grade) engages children with all their senses to explore food and how food groups work together to help them grow. With fun characters, they learn about the journey of food from the farm to them.

  Language(s): English, Spanish
  Delivery Method: Series
  Number of Lessons: 5
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 5-15 minutes

• Good for Me and You (Grade 2)

• In the Good for Me and You curriculum, students explore a healthy body and lifestyle, study MyPlate, and learn about nutrients and what they do for their bodies. Students also learn that eating breakfast, drinking healthy beverages, exercising and keeping food safe are good for their body. This curriculum can be used during school, after school and with 4-H programs.

  Language(s): English, Spanish
  Delivery Method: Series
  Number of Lessons: 5
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 60 minutes
  Virtual Delivery Materials located in Google Drive.

• Learn, Grow, Eat & Go! (Grades 2-5)

• Learn, Grow, Eat & Go! is an interdisciplinary program combining academic achievement, gardening, nutrition experiences, physical activity, and school and family engagement. Curriculum can be used during and after school.

  Language(s): English, Spanish
  Delivery Method: Series
  Number of Lessons: 10
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 40+ minutes
  Virtual Delivery Materials located in Google Drive.

• Let's Eat Healthy (Grade 2) – Previously Healthy Choices, Healthy Me!

• Let's Eat Healthy (2nd Grade) familiarizes children to a variety of foods and their health benefits and explores the journey of food from farm to them. They start to recognize what influences food choices and practice goal setting.

  Language(s): English, Spanish
  Delivery Method: Series
  Number of Lessons: 5
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 5-15 minutes

• Great Garden Detective Adventure (Grades 3-4)

• The Great Garden Detective Adventure has students discover what fruits and vegetables are sweetest, crunchiest, and juiciest through a series of investigations and fun experiences connecting the school garden to the classroom, school cafeteria, and home. Curriculum can be used during and after school.

  Language(s): English
  Delivery Method: Series
  Number of Lessons: 11
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 75-120 minutes

• It's My Choice... Eat Right! Be Active! (Grade 3)

• It's My Choice... Eat Right! Be Active! is a nutrition curriculum where students examine the key nutrients from the MyPlate five food groups and learn how to make healthy choices. They identify how vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and proteins provide the building blocks needed for good health. Curriculum can be used during school, after school and with 4-H programs.

  Language(s): English, Spanish
  Delivery Method: Series
  Number of Lessons: 5
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 60 minutes
  Virtual Delivery Materials located in Google Drive.

• Junior Master Gardeners - Level 1 (Grades 3-5)

• Junior Master Gardeners - Level 1 is designed for grades 3-5. Youth can explore eight chapters of novel, “hands-on” activities. The program includes a study of life-skills and career exploration then culminates the JMG experience with service learning projects and recognizes their efforts with certification as a Junior Master Gardener.

  Language(s): English
  Delivery Method: Single session or series
  Number of Lessons: 6-8 chapters with multiple activities
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: Time varies based on activity (approximately 20 minutes)

• Let's Eat Healthy (Grade 3) – Previously Shaping Up My Choices

• Through Let's Eat Healthy (3rd Grade), students will learn foundational nutrition principles, how to read a food label and agri-food literacy in the Farm to You lesson. Curriculum can be used during school and with after school programs.

  Language(s): English, Spanish
  Delivery Method: Series
  Number of Lessons: 10
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 45-60 minutes

• Cooking Up Healthy Choices (Grades 4-6)

• Cooking Up Healthy Choices is part of the Shaping Healthy Choices program. It is learner-centered nutrition curriculum developed for the program's Nutrition Education & Promotion component. It includes five cooking demos from cultures around the world, with activities, recipes, handouts. Curriculum can be used during and after school.

  Language(s): English, Spanish
  Delivery Method: Series
  Number of Lessons: 5
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 45-60 minutes

• Power Play! Power Up for Learning - Physical Activity Supplement (Grades 4-5)

• Power Play! Power Up for Learning is a physical activity supplement to the School Idea & Resource Kits. Together, the resources combine classroom lessons, large-space physical activities, and quick energizers to integrate physical activity into lessons about the importance of eating fruits and vegetables. This is only to be used as a supplement to the Power Play! School Idea and Resource Kit.

  Language(s): English
  Delivery Method: Single session or series
  Number of Lessons: 6 activities and 10 energizers
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 10-20 minutes

• Power Play! School Idea and Resource Kit - Campaign Resources (Grades 4-5)

• Power Play! School Idea and Resource Kit includes activities and workbooks for 4th and 5th grade interventions to increase fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity.

  Language(s): English
  Delivery Method: Series
  Number of Lessons: 10 activities
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 50 minutes

• Dig In! (Grades 5-6)

• Dig In! is a USDA-developed curriculum that makes connections between the garden, nutrition and health. Learning activities can be done with or without a large garden in place. Curriculum can be used during school.

  Language(s): English, Spanish
  Delivery Method: Single session or series
  Number of Lessons: 10
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 30-60 minutes

• Discovering Healthy Choices (Grades 4-6)

• Discovering Healthy Choices is part of the Shaping Healthy Choices program. It is a learner-centered, garden-enhanced nutrition curriculum developed as for the program's Nutrition Education & Promotion component. The Discovering Healthy Choices curriculum can be used during school, after school and with 4-H programs.

  Language(s): English, Spanish
  Delivery Method: Series
  Number of Lessons: 8 modules with multiple activities
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 5-75 minutes
  Virtual Delivery Materials located in Google Drive.

• Healthy Choices in Motion (Grades 4-6)

• Healthy Choices in Motion is a multi-component approach developed as part of the Shaping Healthy Choices program. This curriculum allows students to explore a comprehensive set of physical activity concepts, including the benefits of physical activity, recommendations across the lifespan, the five components of physical fitness, why doing a variety of physical activity is important, and what being physical activity means to you. Curriculum can be used during school, after school and with 4-H programs.

  Language(s): English, Spanish
  Delivery Method: Series
  Number of Lessons: 5 modules
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 45-70 minutes

• Healthy Choices Through History (Grades 4-6)

• Healthy Choices Through History is a three-part experience that provides nutrition, physical activity, garden, and California agriculture education with two in-class lessons and one field trip to an outdoor education space. The curriculum can be adapted depending on the needs of the outdoor education space and provides evidence-based health education through the lens of the Native Peoples of California.

  Language(s): English
  Delivery Method: Series
  Number of Lessons: 6 (lessons may be delivered over 2 sessions)
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 1.5-2.5 hours

• Nutrition Pathfinders (Grades 4-5)

• With this curriculum, students will learn about main nutrients and their health benefits, how to analyze food advertisements and how to set personal goals. Lessons can be used during school and in afterschool programs. There are separate lessons for each grade level.

  Language(s): English, Spanish
  Delivery Method: Series
  Number of Lessons: 7
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 45-60 minutes

  4th Grade Links:
  Curriculum
  Video Series

  5th Grade Links:
  Curriculum
  Video Series

• Nutrition to Grow On (Grades 4-6)

• Nutrition to Grow On is an innovative curriculum that links the garden and nutrition education by teaching children and their families about nutrition through garden activities. In the lessons, science, mathematics, language arts, history, environmental studies, nutrition and health are reinforced. Curriculum can be used during school, after school and with 4-H programs.

  Language(s): English, Spanish
  Delivery Method: Single session or series
  Number of Lessons: 9
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 60 minutes
  Virtual Delivery Materials located in Google Drive.

• UP4it - Level 1 (Grades 4-5)

• UP4it - Level 1 encourages youth to consume nutrient-rich foods and to achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Curriculum can be used during school, after school and with 4-H programs.

  Language(s): English
  Delivery Method: Single session or series
  Number of Lessons: 14 activities
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 15-60 minutes per activity
  Virtual Delivery Materials located in Google Drive.

  Additional Links:
  UP4It Resources for CFHL, UC Educators

  CalFresh Healthy Living, UC programs can receive a discount when ordering this curriculum from the UC ANR Catalog. Click here for more information.

• Sports, Play & Active Recreation for Kids (Any age range)

• Sports, Play & Active Recreation for Kids (SPARK) is a physical activity and nutrition curriculum that strives to improve the health of children and adolescents. Lessons can be easily integrated into math, science and language arts. Curriculum can be used during and after school.

  Language(s): English, Spanish
  Delivery Method: Single session or series
  Number of Lessons: Varies by grade level
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 20-60 minutes (varies by grade level)

The list below features CalFresh Healthy Living, UC-approved curricula sorted by grade level that can be used in before/afterschool programs.

• BE Physically Active 2 Day (Grades K-5)

• BE Physically Active 2 Day (BEPA 2.0) is a classroom-based physical activity program aligned to national health education (HE) and physical education (PE) standards for grades K-5. BEPA 2.0 includes over 50 unique, brain-boosting physical activities that teachers can use to reinforce grade-level movement skills and competencies and teach HE and PE literacy. It can be used inside and outside of the classroom, and works great before, during, or after school.

  Language(s): English, Spanish
  Delivery Method: Single session or series
  Number of Lessons: Over 50 activity cards used to deliver physical activity breaks
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 5-10 minute activities that can be combined into 20+ minutes

• CATCH Physical Activity Boxes (ECE and Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8)

• The CATCH Physical Activity Boxes are specifically designed to nurture a love of physical activity early on in children. Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) is based on the CDC Whole School, Whole Community, and Whole Child model in which health education, school environment, and family/community involvement work together to support a healthy lifestyle for youth. Curriculum can be used in preschool and after school programs.

  For ordering digital CATCH curriculum, visit CATCH.org. For hard copy CATCH curriculum materials and equipment, order from School Specialty. The CFHL, UC approval process for ordering CATCH materials can be found here.

  Language(s): English
  Delivery Method: Single session or series
  Number of Cards: 500+ 
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 20+ minutes each

  Additional Links:
  CATCH ECE Physical Activity Box
  CATCH (Grades K-2) PE Box
  CATCH (Grades 3-5) PE Box
  CATCH (Grades 6-8) PE Box

  For CATCH implementation resources, please visit the CFHL, UC Physical Activity initiative webpage.

• CATCH Kids Club Manual and Activity Box (Grades K-5)

• CATCH is based on the CDC Whole School, Whole Community and Whole Child model where health education, school environment and family/communities work together to support a healthy lifestyle in youth. CATCH Kids Club Healthy Habits & Nutrition Lessons can be used in school and after school programs.

  For ordering digital CATCH curriculum, visit CATCH.org. For hard copy CATCH curriculum materials and equipment, order from School Specialty. The CFHL, UC approval process for ordering CATCH materials can be found here.

  Language(s): English
  Delivery Method: Single session or series
  Number of Lessons: 30-35 lessons organized into 7 themes
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 20 minutes

  Additional Links:
  CATCH Kids Club Activity Box

  For CATCH implementation resources, please visit the CFHL, UC Physical Activity initiative webpage.

• Choose Health: Food, Fun and Fitness Curriculum (Grades 4-6)

• Choose Health: Food, Fun, and Fitness (CHFFF) offers hands on, interactive lessons for 8-12 year olds using food and games to learn about healthy eating and active living. Curriculum can be used after school and with 4-H programs. 

  Language(s): English
  Delivery Method: Series
  Number of Lessons: 6
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 70-90 minutes

  Additional Links:
  CHFFF Instructions
  CHFFF Materials

• Food Smarts for Kids (Middle and High School)

• Food Smarts teaches healthy nutrition and cooking skills for kids, adults and seniors to develop the skills and acquire the information that empower them to eat more fresh, whole foods and to live healthier lives. Workshops cover basic nutrition, kitchen safety, cooking skills, meal planning, label reading and media literacy. Facilitator training is required.

  Language(s): English, Spanish
  Delivery Method: Single sessions or series
  Number of Lessons: 5-6
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 60-90 minutes

• Grub Club

• The Grub Club curriculum (ages 5-9) contains 6 hands-on lessons. Each lesson includes activities, a cooking demonstration, preparation of a recipe, mealtime with discussions, and clean-up. Lessons can be led by adults or 4-H teens ages 14 and up who are educated to be the "Teens as Teachers."

  Language(s): English
  Delivery Method: Series
  Number of Lessons: 6
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 1 hour

• Healthalicious (Grades 4-6)

• Healthalicious promotes a healthy lifestyle in students by encouraging intake of nutrient rich foods and physical activity. This curriculum is designed to give students a fun introduction to preparing and eating healthy meals. This family-centered curriculum can be used after school for grades 4-6, with programs such as 4-H.

  Language(s): English
  Delivery Method: Series
  Number of Lessons: 6 (1 lesson can be delivered over 2 sessions)
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 1.5-2.5 hours based on lesson format

  CalFresh Healthy Living, UC programs can receive a discount when ordering this curriculum from the UC ANR Catalog. Click here for more information.

• Healthy Kids Out of School Curriculum (Grades 4-5)

• Healthy Kids Out of School Curriculum encourages physical activity and healthy eating habits in 4th and 5th graders (modifications can be made for older kids). The lessons encourage fruits and vegetables for snacks, water as the beverage of choice, and new ways to increase active time to help kids reach the 60 minutes-a-day recommendation.

  Language(s): English
  Delivery Method: Single session or series
  Number of Lessons: 7 sessions
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 30-35 minutes

  Additional Links:
  Link to Curriculum

• TWIGS: Teams with Intergenerational Support (Grades K-8)

• TWIGS includes lessons that connect gardening with nutrition for children in K-8th grade. The focus is to positively influence participants’ food choices through the development and harvesting of a vegetable garden. Curriculum can be used during school, after school and with 4-H programs.

  Language(s): English, Spanish
  Delivery Method: Single session or series
  Number of Lessons: 30
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 60-90 minutes
  Virtual Delivery Materials located in Google Drive.

• WAVE: Sport Nutrition Curriculum

• WAVE Sport Nutrition Curriculum uses youth's interest in sports to teach them about healthy eating and hydration to fuel a healthy, active body for life. This knowledge helps athletes manage body weight and avoid unwanted weight gain in adulthood. The curriculum was pilot-tested with high school soccer players, but the content is applicable to all active adolescents and can be adapted for youth involved in many different sports and activities.

  Language(s): English
  Delivery Method: Series
  Number of Lessons: 7
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 20-30 minutes; 40 minutes when physical activity is included

• Youth Participatory Action Research - Stepping Stones Curriculum (Middle and High School)

• The Stepping Stones Curriculum provides youth with the opportunity to engage their leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, service learning, and strategic-thinking skills to address issues that that affect their communities, ultimately resulting in community change.

  Language(s): English
  Delivery Method: Single session or series
  Number of Lessons: 8 stepping stones (modules) with several activities per module
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 20-60 minutes for activities

• 4-H Cooking Academy

• 4-H Cooking Academy (ages 9-12) inspires upper elementary school age “chefs” to engage actively with food. They learn basic culinary skills to prepare healthy recipes from start to finish with guided supervision. Lessons can be led by adults or 4-H teens ages 14 and up who are educated to be the "Teens as Teachers."

  Language(s): English, Spanish
  Delivery Method: Series
  Number of Lessons: 6
  Suggested Timeframe for Each Lesson: 1.5-2 hours