Activity 1: Hen to Home

Preparation: Before class, take the eggs out of the carton and place them in a box that is labeled "nest." This box will represent the nest box where hens lay their eggs on the farm. Keep the cartons handy for step 3 of the lesson.

1. Project the Hen to Home PowerPoint Slides in the front of the class.
2. Begin with slide 2, titled "Farm." Choose one student to be the farmer. Explain to the student and the class that they raise chickens on their farm. Female chickens are called "hens" and hens lay eggs. Now ask the "farmer" to take the egg basket and collect the eggs from the "nest." As he/she is doing so, explain that chickens live in special pens or houses that are called "coops." The farmer makes sure that the hens have food and water. Naturally, hens like to lay their eggs in a nest or box. Explain that feeding, watering, and collecting eggs each day are chores an egg farmer would complete. Once the "farmer" has collected the eggs, ask them to stay in front of the class holding their sign. Using slides 3, 4, and 5, teach the students how many eggs a chicken lays per day, what they eat, and what color eggs are.
3. While displaying slide 6, titled "Processing Plant" choose another student to be the processing plant worker. Ask the farmer to give the eggs to the student who is the processor. Explain that after eggs arrive at the processing plant, they are cleaned. Have the student wash the eggs in a wash basin with water or at a sink in your classroom and then place the eggs on a towel to dry. After the eggs are washed at the processing plant, they look at the inside of the egg by using a bright light. Ask the students if they know what is inside an egg. Display slide 7 and point out the yolk, white, and shell. Pick up one of the eggs and point out the shell. Then, turn the lights off and use the flashlight to see inside of the egg. This process is called candling. The students should be able to see the yolk and the white. (White shelled eggs are easiest to see inside.) The last task for the processor to complete is to place the clean, dry eggs in an egg carton. Ask the "processor" to stand to the left of the "farmer" with their sign.
   • Teacher Tip: When candling an egg with a regular flashlight, seal your thumb and forefinger in a circle around the end of the flashlight and place the egg on top. This will help direct all of the light through the egg, making the inside of the egg more visible.
4. While displaying slide 9 titled "Transportation," choose a student to be the truck driver. Ask the student playing the role of the processor to hand the carton of eggs to the truck driver. Explain to the students that the truck driver puts the eggs in the truck and transports the eggs to the grocery store. Eggs are transported in special trucks that are refrigerated to keep the eggs cool and fresh. To simulate the truck driving to the store, walk with the student "truck driver" around the perimeter of the classroom carrying the eggs. Explain that sometimes eggs have to travel many miles to arrive at the grocery store. Once you have reached the front of the classroom again, have the "truck driver" stand to the left of the "processor" holding their sign.
5. While displaying slide 10 titled "Grocery Store," choose a student to be the grocer. Ask the "truck driver" to deliver the carton of eggs to the grocer. Explain to the class that once the eggs arrive at the grocery store, they are placed on a shelf in a refrigerator until someone purchases them. Ask the "grocer" to place the eggs on a "shelf" (nearby table or desk) and then stand to the left of the truck driver with their sign.
6. While displaying slide 11 titled "Home," choose a student to represent a mom or dad at the grocery store. Ask the student to pick up the carton of eggs, pretend to pay for them, and take them home. Use slides 12, 13, and 14 to teach students about the nutrition found in eggs and the different foods that contain eggs. Ask the student representing the consumer to stand to the left of the grocer.
7. With all 5 students standing in front of the class, review the steps an egg passes through to get from "Hen to Home."

Activity 2: Egg Nutrition

1. Explain to the students that eggs contain nutrients that are important for their health. 
2. Have the students stand up and point to each part of the body listed below as you name them. Point to an arm or leg when naming bones and blood, but clarify that we have bones all over our body and that our blood travels throughout our entire body.
   • Brain
   • Stomach
   • Heart
   • Blood
   • Eyes
   • Muscles
   • Bones
3. Explain to the students that all of the parts of their body that were just named can be benefitted from eating eggs. Sing the name of and point to each part of the body to the tune of "Head, Shoulders, knees, and Toes." 
             Brain, stomach, heart, and blood,
             Heart and blood, heart and blood.
             Brain, stomach, heart, and blood,
             Eyes, muscles, and my bones.