Planet Earth Pages

Food: A First Essential

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

This issue's Planet Earth Pages feature activities that focus on food-- its production, its distribution, its great diversity around the world and its importance in human culture. Ideas are presented in four grade level categories and progress from the "Grow a Seed" theme for young children through to senior high "Change the World" activities. Many of ideas may be adapted to several levels. Have a look!

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.
Helen Peterson teaches elementary school in Kingston, Ontario. The Planet Earth Pages activities were developed on behalf of the Frontenac County Board of Education Global Council, with special assistance from Douglas Crawford, Jan Hartgerink, and other Kingston area teachers.