Planet Earth Pages

Compiled by Helen Peterson on behalf of Frontenac County Board of Education Global Council in eastern Ontario

• Grades 1-3
  • Language Arts
  • Social Studies
  • Art
• Grades 4-6
  • Language Arts
  • Math and Science
  • Social Studies
  • Art
• Grades 7-9
  • Language Arts
  • Math and Science
  • Social Studies
  • Art
• Grades 10-12
  • Language Arts
  • Math and Science
  • Social Studies
  • Art

Grades 1-3

"Grow a Seed"

Language Arts

Seed Visualization

Using creative visualization, have children experience themselves as plants, focus on their growth and what promotes it. Simple relaxations exercises, imaginative movement and periods of quiet would help in preparation. (Susan Fountain, Learning Together, UK: Stanley Thornes Publishing, 1990).

Measuring Growth

Have children measure themselves (height, weight, hands, feet, etc.) over time. At the same time, have children measure and document the growth of plants in their classroom garden.

Social Studies

How Seeds Become Food

Discuss the seed origins of our food and investigate the agricultural processes involved in food production (Candace Savage, Get Growing, Douglas and McIntyre, 1991).

Art

Everything Grows

Have children learn Raffi's song "Everything Grows" and then use it as the basis for song, movement and dramatization activities. Visual arts responses could include food collages, vegetable prints and paintings.

Grades 4-6

"Feed the People"

Language Arts

Staple Foods

Have students work in small groups to research staple foods around the world. Tasks could include investigating the stages of growth from seed to staple, plotting on a world map where staples are grown and eaten, and learning various methods of cultivation, preparation and serving.

Math and Science

Food Logs

Have students complete a daily food log for one week in which they record all the food they eat. The combined results can be collated and graphed. Have students use the data and graphs to compare the proportions of different foods they eat, such as fruits, vegetables, and grains, to the recommendations in the Canada Food Guide. Have students determine what proportion of the foods they eat satisfy the "5 Ns": what is needed, natural, now in season, near home, and naked (requiring little or no packaging).

Social Studies

Three Generation Food Survey

Have students survey people from their parents' and grandparents' generations about food issues. Questions might include: What foods did you eat growing up? Where did the food come from? Who prepared meals? What did mealtimes look like? What changes in food technology have you witnessed? What are your favourite dishes?

Art

Staples Cookbook

Have the class produce a "Staples Cookbook" containing recipes that reflect their research in the Three Generation Food Survey (above). Associated art activities might include illustrations, decorative borders, and photographs.

Grades 7-9

"Investigate the Systems"

Language Arts

Solutions

Read about and research possible solutions to world hunger. Create videos demonstrating solutions such as changing international monetary relationships, aid strategies or cash crop demand by the North. Using atlases for chart, graph and other schemata, prepare a presentation about the issue and share it with the school and wider community.

Math and Science

Coffee: The Facts

Form seven small groups, each to examine and make a brief report on the issues raised in the article "Coffee: The Facts" in New Internationalist No. 217, September 1995, pp. 18-19. Questions to be addressed: Who produces coffee? Who consumes coffee? Who profits? What risks are there to producers? How fair is the system?

Social Studies

The Diversity of Food Preparation

Analyze ways in which diverse groups contribute to North American society. Organize field trips into ethnic markets, shops, and restaurants. Look at the diversity of preparation of common staple foods such as rice, bread, vegetables and fruits. Plan a celebration to highlight some of these foods. Suggested resource: Everybody Cooks Rice by Norah Dooley, Carolrhoda Books, Minneapolis: 1991.

Art

A Handful of Seeds

Dramatize the story of A Handful of Seeds by Monica Hughes (Lester Publishing, 1993). Elaborate by preparing scenery, costumes, props and accompanying music. Use the production as a vehicle for communication about food issues to the community.

Grades 10-12

"Change the World"

Language Arts

May All Be Fed

Using print materials, media and community organizations, research the arguments for local and global vegetarianism. Organize a mock debate between proponents of vegetarianism and other interest groups such as meat marketing boards, politicians and cattle ranchers. Suggested resources: May All Be Fed by John Robbins (New York: William Morrow Inc., 1992) and Diet For a Small Planet by Francis M. Lappé (New York: Ballantine, 1982).

Math and Science

Facing Food Scarcity

Have students read Lester R. Brown's article "Facing World Scarcity" in World Watch, November/December 1995. Write brief answers to the following questions: What signs are there of a crisis in world food supply? What limits to food production are described? Why is population control deemed vital? What measures maximize production? minimize consumption? What is the greatest challenge? What dangers does humankind face if we fail to meet these challenges?

Social Studies

Sustainable Agriculture

Research sustainable agricultural methods including irrigation, land reclamation, agroforestry, and energy efficiency. Where possible, visit organic farms and compare these operations to more traditional and or agri-business ventures. Plan and cultivate a small vegetable garden using sustainable and environmentally responsible methods. Suggested resource: Under the Same Sun: Quest for Food by CIDA Youth Editions, Winter 1993.

Art

Food as Celebration

A celebration of the foods of different cultures can be a starting point for a broader look at celebrations. The music, dance, arts and storytelling traditions of different cultural groups can be explored in their relation to their special foods.