Breakfast in the Classroom

"Our students have Breakfast in the Classroom and it gives them an opportunity to Fuel Up for the day. It also allows them to talk to their friends and prepare for their days. When they have an opportunity to socialize during breakfast it's easier to focus when it's time to work."

"This has been a blessing to our school because many kids would come to school hungry. The kids love the variety of items and I even buy the breakfast on certain days. My kids go to a different school, but they would talk about the pancakes and how they wanted more than one package. I went online and found the pancakes at Sams. My kids have now added them to their breakfast menu at home. Back to the classroom. My students are now able to concentrate on what they are going to learn for the day. The best thing about it is that the majority of my class will now eat breakfast at school. When they were eating in the cafeteria, many would not eat for some reason. I hope that this program continues well into the future."

"So many of our students were skipping breakfast in the cafeteria each morning and this was causing them to be extremely hungry before their lunchtime. This led to low motivation and unhappy kids. We started bringing breakfast to the classrooms and we have seen a huge increase, in a short amount of time, in the quality of work being done by the students. We believe that a healthy mind and body will produce better results in the classroom. The students are enjoying having their breakfast brought to them and this had led to a cafe style breakfast for the kids!!! "

"Our school has implemented Breakfast in the Classroom. The teachers and students love the program. Every student in the school and every employee gets a nutritious breakfast. They are all very healthy. Whole wheat biscuits and whole grain cereals, milk and juice."

"Our school has "Breakfast on Wheels" all students are eligible for a free breakfast in the classroom. This is great because when students do not have breakfast the become sluggish and do not learn as well."

"Our students formed a team and then promoted breakfast by going to classrooms and talking up the benefits of eating a nutritious breakfast, and highlighted it only cost $1 to do so. They made a breakfast commercial which aired in all classrooms, and handed out coupons to try a free breakfast to all students and staff."

"Our middle grades teaching team arranged the morning schedule to allow classes time to eat breakfast together during the school day. Our teachers also role modeled the importance of eating breakfast. We offered an incentive to the class who had the highest percent of students eating breakfast."

"We have been doing breakfast in the classroom everyday now since the beginning of this school year and it has worked out wonderfully. Children are doing better on tests. "

Type of Play: Healthy Eating

Subcategory: Bring on Breakfast

Student Interest Areas: Culinary, Public Relations

Grade Level: Elementary & Secondary

Level of Involvement: Going Further

Organize a program to provide nutritious, easy-to-eat breakfast foods to be offered to students during class. Help students get a good start to their day with a nutritious breakfast!

Everyone Can:

Help create a menu with school nutrition professionals
Solicit donations from local stores, restaurants or farms
Provide resources for teachers
Advertise the program
Encourage their friends and classmates to make healthy choices

Keep It Going:

Create a regular schedule for your Breakfast In the Classroom program!

Work with your school nutrition manager to create a menu of nutrient-rich, student-appealing breakfast choices. Offer conveniently packed and easy-to-clean-up foods including fruits, vegetables, whole grains low-fat or fat-free dairy foods and lean protein foods.
Speak with teachers to get their support for the program. Encourage them to use Breakfast in the Classroom as an opportunity to teach about healthy eating and the importance of breakfast. Use the information sheets and presentation tools provided below to help.
Consider local grocery stores, restaurants, or farms that might be willing to provide food samples and ideas.
Use the Tools and Resources below to share information with students and teachers, and to help you get donations and support from the community.
Spread the word about Breakfast in the Classroom. Create posters to put up in high-traffic areas, distribute flyers in classrooms and advertise your program in the school newsletter and website. Encourage everyone at your school to make healthy eating choices in the morning and to eat breakfast every day.

This Play may help you meet the goals of the USDA's HealthierUS School Challenge!