Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Shaping Up Your Choices

This resource teaches students the skills they need to apply problem-solving, reasoning, and critical thinking techniques to their food choices. Resources include: Teacher guide, student workbooks and assessments, and compact disc (CD) with pictures.

Description

This resource teaches students the skills they need to apply problem-solving, reasoning, and critical thinking techniques to their food choices. The program aligns with education standards, uses a proven behavior-change model, and helps students develop healthy eating habits that will help them succeed in the classroom and beyond.

What’s Inside

Teacher guide; student workbooks; poster; transparencies; and a CD with vocabulary cards, color master documents, and food pictures. The curriculum also includes cafeteria connections in the extension activities, and home connections.

Activity Highlight

Lesson 9, Test Your Beverage Choice, presents students with healthier beverage choices that they can make after physical activity or with any meal or snack. Pre- and post-assessment activities and guidance for presenting the lesson with the whole class together with individual work are provided to support student knowledge gain and behavior change.   

  • Key Content Areas: After School, Cafeteria Connections, Integrated Subjects, MyPlate, Parent Family Connections, and Physical Activity

  • Originator of Resources: Dairy Council of California

  • User of Resource: Teachers

  • Audience: Grades 3

  • Languages: English and Spanish

  • Number of lessons: 10 lessons

  • Amount of time per lesson: 30–60 minutes

  • Format: Downloadable

Resource

To access the curriculum, visit the Dairy Council of California Shaping Up Your Choices web page External link opens in new window or tab..

Contacts

If you have any questions, please contact the Dairy Council of California Contact Us web page External link opens in new window or tab..

Questions:   Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Related Content
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • Expanded Capital Expenditure Approved List (added 12-May-2026)
    The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the California Department of Education’s (CDE) request to expand the Capital Expenditure Approved List. This expansion contains equipment commonly purchased by School Food Authorities (SFAs).
  • USDA Farm to School Grant Informational Webinars (added 12-May-2026)
    School districts may apply for three federal grants that can support farm to school, the Farmers Market Promotion Program, the Local Food Promotion Program, and the Regional Food Systems Partnerships grant.
  • Updated Resources Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act (added 06-May-2026)
    Updated Resources Due to the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025.
  • USDA Grants to Support Farm to School (added 06-May-2026)
    School districts may apply for three federal grants that can support farm to school, the Farmers Market Promotion Program, the Local Food Promotion Program, and the Regional Food Systems Partnerships grant.
  • Award Announcement for 2025 KIT and R&R Grants (added 04-May-2026)
    Grant Award Announcement for 2025 Kitchen Infrastructure and Training (KIT) and Retention and Recruitment (R&R) Grants.

  • Child Nutrition Advisory Council - May 2026 (added 01-May-2026)
    Meeting agenda for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Child Nutrition Advisory Council (CNAC)
  • Final Rule: Fluid Milk Substitutions (added 30-Apr-2026)
    This management bulletin provides regulatory updates regarding the allowability of accepting medical statements from registered dietitians (RD) as related to Fluid Milk Substitutions in School Nutrition Programs.
  • Modifications to Accommodate Disabilities (added 30-Apr-2026)
    This management bulletin contains information on the requirements related to accommodating children with disabilities.
  • Income Eligibility Scales for School Year 2026–27 (added 24-Apr-2026)
    Information related to Income Eligibility Guidelines for Free and Reduced-price Meals or Free Milk in Child Nutrition Programs.
  • School Lunch Hero Day 2026 (added 24-Apr-2026)
    School Lunch Hero Day presents an opportunity to recognize, celebrate, and thank hardworking professionals who continue to make an extraordinary impact on the lives of students.