Year 3 Guided Reading Level L - Building the Perfect Plate (with Lesson Plan)

Book Snapshot
• Title: Building the Perfect Plate
• Genre: Nonfiction (Informational)
• Subject: Health / Science (Nutrition)
• Primary Topic: Building a balanced meal with food groups
• Estimated Guided Reading Level (A–Z): L

Learning Goals
• Students will explain what the text says a balanced meal provides for the body.
• Students will identify which food group should take up the largest portion of the plate and describe why.
• Students will describe what the text says about whole grains and why they are the best choice.
• Students will explain how fruits, dairy (or fortified alternatives), and water support health using details from the text.
• Students will use the text to describe a recommended protein portion size.
• Students will describe the kitchen safety step the text gives to prevent germs from spreading.

Key Vocabulary From the Text
• nutrients — helpful parts of food that keep your body healthy.
• portion — the amount of food you eat at one time.
• fortified — extra vitamins added to make food healthier.
• hydration — having enough water in your body.
• digest — break down food so your body can use it.

Discussion Prompts
• Pre-reading question: What foods do you think belong in a balanced meal?
• Comprehension questions: According to the text, what should take up the largest portion of the plate? Why does the text say whole grains are the best choice? What does the text say you should do before touching ingredients to stop germs from spreading?

Printing Tips

1. Best Printing Method (Recommended)
   “Booklet” Printing (Best if Available)
   If your printer or PDF viewer supports Booklet Printing, use this.
   Settings to use:
   • Print mode: Booklet
   • Paper size: Letter or A4 (either works)
   • Orientation: Landscape
   • Print on both sides: Yes
   • Flip on: Short edge
   • Scaling: Fit to printable area
   • Booklet subset:
   o First test: Front sides only
   o Then: Back sides only
   This will automatically:
   • Pair pages correctly
   • Put the cover on the outside
   • Align everything for folding
   After printing, fold in half and staple along the spine.

2. If “Booklet” Printing Is NOT Available
   You can still print this correctly with manual duplex printing.
   Step-by-step:

3. Open the PDF.

4. Choose Print.

5. Set:
   o Orientation: Landscape
   o Pages per sheet: 1
   o Print on both sides: Yes
   o Flip on: Short edge

6. Print all pages.
   Because each PDF page already contains two facing book pages, the result will still fold cleanly into a book.