This lesson plan for A1 level primary learners aged 5 to 6 years old explores ecology, the environment and nutrition. 

This is a series of activities and related worksheets for you to download and use with the storybook Peas! Learners will develop awareness of nutrition as well as sing a song and give a presentation. It forms part of the Promoting diversity through children's literature series, produced by the British Council Teaching Centre in Paris.

Age

5-6 years old

Level

A1

About the story

Peas! is a story which helps young children understand how a pea gets from a peapod onto a plate. The story shows how peas are grown and what happens to them once they are picked. Peas are processed and transported all over the world via different forms of transport: trucks, trains, boats and planes until they arrive in shops, are bought and cooked for supper. The two main characters, Pete and Penelope Pea, finally arrive in a home to feed a family but the children don't want peas! A story that evokes questions about ecology, the environment and nutrition.

Language areas

  • Life cycle of plants
  • Vegetables
  • Numbers
  • Colours
  • Transport
  • Likes/dislikes

Diversity themes

  • Developing awareness about healthy food
  • Developing awareness of differences in culinary traditions around the world

Main outcomes

  • Conducting a seed growth project
  • Singing a song 'Ten little green peas'
  • Giving a presentation of the story

Peas!, Andrew Cullen (author) and Simon Rickerty (illustrator), Puffin Books, ISBN 978-0-141-50258-8

Story notes by Nicky Francis


The materials form part of the Promoting diversity through children's literature series, produced by the British Council Teaching Centre in Paris. You can download materials for ten sessions. The materials include:

  • A sequence of activities – a plan for you to follow
  • Worksheets – for you to print and use with your learners
Language Level

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