Module 2 Description
Where does our food come from? How do we analyze arguments about how food should be grown and processed? What factors influence our access to healthy food? How do we research this? What factors should we prioritize when making choices about our food? How do we share these recommendations with others? In this module, students develop their ability to research, weigh different aspects of complex dilemmas, and formulate opinions supported by evidence and reasoning as they explore the topic Food Choices.
In the beginning of Unit 1, students discover this topic by examining multiple artifacts and being introduced to the guiding questions of the module and the culminating performance task. Throughout the module, students read excerpts from their anchor text, The Omnivore's Dilemma, and they analyze video clips of the Nourish: Food and Community documentary. Students learn how to analyze the author's purpose and point of view, as well as structural elements he uses to convey key ideas. In addition, students learn how to delineate and evaluate the author's arguments by tracking his central claim, supporting points, evidence, and reasoning. Students evaluate whether the author's evidence and reasoning are sufficient and sound and consider if and how he addresses conflicting viewpoints. Students then evaluate an author's motives for conveying information and consider the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums to do so. All of these skills further students' abilities to be critical consumers of information and to be thoughtful about what is presented to them.
In Unit 2, students research GMOs and a second topic of their choice (pesticides, high-fructose corn syrup, organic food, or food deserts) that bring to light influences on Americans' access to healthy food. Students learn new research skills as they explore ways in which access to healthy food can be increased or decreased. After researching GMOs as a whole class, students choose their own topic and utilize the research skills they learned in the first half of the unit to research their topic of choice. Students then write an expository essay on how their research topic impacts access to healthy food. At the end of Unit 2, students participate in a Desktop Teaching Activity that will allow them to teach a mini lesson on the topic they research, and to participate in their classmates' mini lessons on other case studies.
In Unit 3, students analyze language used in The Omnivore's Dilemma to better understand the author's intended meaning. Students begin to consider the food choices at play in the many texts and topics they have examined and begin to formulate their own opinions about which food choice would be the most beneficial for themselves and those in their community. For the final assessment, students write an argument essay defending this recommendation. In preparation for this, students analyze a model essay, plan and draft a practice essay, and plan and draft their assessment essay.
For their performance task, students create an infographic and talking points to defend their argument. Students will present to an audience of community members in roundtable presentations.
Notes from the Designer
The Omnivore's Dilemma explores complex topics such as corn, GMOs, agribusiness, processed food, high-fructose corn syrup, fast food, feedlots, free-range chickens, grass-fed animals, organic food, local food, and seasonal food. Students additionally research more information on their chosen topic of GMOs, pesticides, high-fructose corn syrup, organic food, or food deserts. Students may be upset or may find their values conflict with descriptions of poor treatment of cows in feedlots, or of chickens on free-range farms. Students may be sensitive to the topic of access to food based on their own access to food, or may be sensitive to learn about others' experiences in food deserts. Students may also be sensitive to the topics of fast food, high-fructose corn syrup, and obesity, especially if they don't have control over the food they eat or if they or others they know suffer from obesity, diabetes, or other health-related challenges. The complex topics presented must be carefully and sensitively discussed to give students processing time and support. Speak with students and families in advance, especially those who may have sensitivity to topics discussed.
Text
The Omnivore's Dilemma (Young Readers Edition)
by Michael Pollan
one per student
Nourish: Short Films (DVD)
by NourishLife
one per classroom
EL Education Grade 8, Module 2 Language Arts Curriculum (Second Edition) (540p with 25fps).mp4Guiding Questions and Big Ideas
Where does our food come from?
Consumers have many choices when it comes to eating healthy food. These choices relate to how the food is grown and raised, processed, or transported. The choices are complicated and varied—from processed or industrially produced food; to industrial organic food; to local, sustainable food.
Deepening understanding about the variety of processes and practices can help consumers understand more about where their food comes from and make more informed choices about the food they eat.
The choices consumers make around food impact their own health and the sustainability of the environment.
Choices about eating healthy food, and conflicting information about the impact of processes and practices, can present a dilemma to consumers.
It’s important to consider diverse perspectives and points of view to fully understand the factors that influence access to healthy food.
How do we analyze arguments about how food should be grown and processed?
Delineating an author’s arguments helps readers more deeply understand the purpose, point of view, evidence, and reasoning presented on a topic.
When evaluating arguments, considering an author’s point of view and purpose help readers understand the motive behind the information presented.
Understanding motive can help consumers interpret information to make informed decisions about healthy food.
Analyzing sufficiency and relevancy of evidence helps readers determine if the reasoning presented on an argument is sound.
Authors may acknowledge and respond to conflicting viewpoints. They may include conflicting viewpoints in order to show readers that there are different views or understandings of a topic, or in order to argue against them.
What factors influence our access to healthy food? How do we research this?
It’s important to build more awareness about the variety of food choices consumers need to make and the impact each has on health and sustainability.
When researching access to healthy food, the credibility of a source is important.
Some of the evidence provided to support arguments about access to healthy food may be irrelevant or insufficient.
Information is available through different mediums, and there are advantages and disadvantages to each one. How we access information influences how we interpret it.
What factors should we prioritize when making choices about our food? How do we share these recommendations with others?
Consumers weigh many factors when prioritizing food choices. These include but are not limited to: whether or not to consume GMO foods, how processed the food is, whether or not it is organic, if pesticides were used in its production, if food deserts played a role in access, and whether or not high-fructose corn syrup is an ingredient.
When making an argument, it’s critical to provide relevant evidence and reasoning that support the claim made.
When making an argument, it’s necessary to acknowledge alternate, related arguments in order to show that we have considered all perspectives.
In sharing recommendations with others about food choices, we can contribute to building a better world. The choices individual consumers make about food has an effect on society as a whole.
module_lessons.8.2-G8_Module2_TeacherGuide.pdf