Dieticians and Nutritionists

Lesson Content

• Lesson Plan Template:

  CTE Lesson Plan

• CTE Course Info and Benchmark Notes

  
  

  Course Name: Orientation to Health Science Professions

  Program Name: Health Science

  Course Number: 8400110

  Course Type: Orientation/Exploratory

  CIP Number: 03179999OR

  CTE-HLTH.68.8400110.5.6 - Explore the need for proper nutrition and water intake to maintain wellness.

  CTE-HLTH.68.8400110.2.4 - Identify several professions in each of the Health Science Career Pathways: Therapeutic Services, Diagnostic Services, Health Informatics, Support Services, Bio-technology Research and Development.

• Unit Outline

  
  

  This lesson should be used with the Case Study "Lifestyle Choices: Nutrition and Wellness" (See CPALMS Resource ID# 218928). It is intended to be the fourth lesson in the unit, following Food Groups (See CPALMS Resource ID# 219015), Nutrition Facts Labels (See CPALMS Resource ID# 219086), and Therapeutic Diets (See CPALMS Resource ID# 219019). The final lesson in this unit is Meal Planning (See CPALMS Resource ID# 219084).

• Career Connection

  
  

  Students will have the opportunity to explore and compare the careers of a nutritionist and dietician. Students will gain practice in researching career options and evaluate their interest in these careers.

  Students will use critical thinking skills as they research a career to gain insight, ultimately leading to self-reflection as to their interest in these careers.

  Each student will demonstrate character as they are accountable for completing their part of the research project, thus providing information needed to compare the two careers.

• Learning Objectives

  
  

  Students will be able to:

  • Discuss the need for proper nutrition.
  • Research nutrition-related careers, using reliable resources.
  • Compare the careers of registered dietician and nutritionist.

• Prior Knowledge

  
  

  Students should be familiar with/able to:

  • Identify that some of our behaviors and choices impact our health.
  • The different food groups and that a healthy diet includes all of them.
  • Many medical careers, each with a different area of focus.
  • Recognizing that some careers are related to and/or are similar to others, but vary in education, job duties, and/or work location.

• Guiding Questions

  
  
  • How are the careers of Registered Dietician and Nutritionist similar?
  • How are the careers of Registered Dietician and Nutritionist different?
  • How could these careers help families ensure proper nutrition for all family members?

• Procedure

  
  

  1. To introduce the lesson, pose the following bellwork/warm-up question: “How does what you DO eat compare to what you SHOULD eat?” Then, have students share with a partner.

  2. Provide students with the case study “Lifestyle Choices: Nutrition, and Wellness” (See CPALMS Resource ID# 218928).

  • • Tell students that the case study will provide background/setting for today’s lesson.
    • Have students read it aloud with a partner or group.

  3. Students can discuss these questions:

  • • • What are some of the dietary (food) choices being made by the Martinez family? (List on the board for future reference.)
      • (Refer to the list that was made.) How can these choices affect their health?
      • What dietary recommendations does the doctor make? (The doctor recommended a balanced diet with foods from all of the food groups, cutting back on fast food and pre-packaged food, drinking more fluids, and eating more fiber.)
      • Why does the doctor recommend dietary changes for the whole family? (Heart problems can sometimes run in families.)

  4. Once students have finished their discussion, tell students: “Sometimes people need help managing what they eat based on a desire to become healthier or after a diagnosis with a health problem that can be affected by their diet. In these cases, the person could meet with a Registered Dietician or a Nutritionist to learn about proper nutrition and how to integrate dietary changes/needs with their food preferences, allergies, etc. Today, you will research these two related careers and create a digital poster/presentation to compare them.”

  5.) Students will then research the careers of registered dieticians and nutritionists. Using their research, they will create a digital poster/presentation (Google Slides, Powerpoint, etc.) that compares the careers.

  • • Students should work in pairs. Each student will research one of the careers and create a ‘slide’ about the career they researched. Then, the pair will work together to identify similarities and differences between the careers and add an additional slide that compares the careers.
    • Provide students with the attachment “Comparing Registered Dieticians and Nutritionists: Directions and Rubric.”

  6. To close the lesson, students can participate in a follow up Discussion using the questions below. This can either be done through whole group or have students discuss in groups of 4 students.

  • How are the careers of Registered Dieticians and Nutritionists similar and how they are different?
  • How could these careers help the Martinez family?
  • Would you be interested in either of these careers? Why/why not?
  • What do you think would be challenging for people in these careers?

• Teacher Notes

  
  
  • This lesson is intended for students to work in pairs. The teacher can make student groups in advance.
    
    
  • Lesson pacing: 5-10 minutes for case study and introduction, 40 minutes to research and create their digital posters/slides, 5 minutes for follow up discussion.
  • This lesson can be extended to two periods to give more time for creating projects and/or presentations.
    
    
  • The teacher can informally assess learning through group discussions at the beginning and end of class. The teacher can use the rubric provided to assess student work.