Food Group Odd One Out — Free Printable Worksheet + Key

Eight rows of four foods: circle the one from a different food group, then name the group the other three share. Answer key included, free to copy.

Food Group Odd One Out Worksheet

Eight rows of four foods: circle the one from a different food group, then name the group the other three share. Answer key included, free to copy.

1. Two points per row

One for the circle, one for naming the group the other three share. The second point is where the thinking shows. A student can spot the intruder by feel and still not be able to say why.

2. Have them say why

Pick a row and ask one student to defend it aloud ('milk is the odd one because bread, tortilla, and oatmeal are all grains'). The sentence is the skill.

3. Mix it into a station rotation

It pairs with the sort and matching sheets as a third station, with the same foods and a different decision, and it grades in seconds against the answer key.

4. Let students write row nine

Each student invents one row of their own and swaps with a neighbor. Writing a good intruder is harder than finding one.

Food-group assignments follow USDA MyPlate guidance and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. MyPlate.food is independent and not affiliated with the USDA. Free to print and copy for classroom use.

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