Overview
Why is nutrition information important? The answer to this question is summarized by Eric Schlosser in Fast Food Nation, which epitomizes the importance of educating children about healthful nutrition.
Hundreds of millions of people buy fast food every day without giving it much thought, unaware of the subtle and not so subtle ramifications of their purchases. They rarely consider where this food came from, how it was made, what it is doing to the community around them. They just grab their tray off the counter, find a table, take a seat, unwrap the paper, and dig in. The whole experience is transitory and soon forgotten.1
What fats and sugars are included in the fast foods that you eat? What happens to the digested food? Do you think we can solve the obesity epidemic? These are a few essential questions that students will analyze throughout this curriculum unit. It will educate them about the different types of fats and sugars imbedded in fast foods. Students will learn there are healthy fats and sugars that provide numerous nutritional benefits. The main goal of this unit is to help students discover proper nutrition.
Students will read informational text to gain insightful background knowledge and participate in nutritional activities that promote healthy food choice. These objectives will be achieved through student exploration of the causes that underlie obesity, the potential risks of this medical condition, and preventive methods to offset it. They will scrutinize fast food restaurant menus and advertisements geared towards encouraging children to participate in deficient eating habits. Through reading comprehension assignments students' will become aware of alternative methods and resources to incorporate a healthy diet.
A culminating project will require students to synthesize information from multiple sources and organize a school-wide health fair that cultivates collaboration with students, parents, teachers, and the community. In addition, students' will incorporate a research project to investigate and critically assess evidence to determine if in fact the United States is the fattest county in the world. Potential enrichment projects may include inviting a local chef to model good nutrition and discuss cooking tips.
Student background knowledge about the initial source of the food they eat is limited. For example, it is not uncommon for a student to think that milk comes from the supermarket instead of a cow. Therefore, I believe students will benefit from field trips to local farmers' markets and/or farms. This experience will allow students to gain a personal connection with regards to the farming process.
The unit is intended for seventh and eighth grade students. The length of time it should take to complete the unit is approximately six-eight weeks. The curriculum unit is aligned to the Pennsylvania State Standards for literacy, math, and science.
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