Build Background: Food Choices

Unit Description

In this module, students explore the array of options, access, and information Americans have when deciding what to eat through the topic of Food Choices. As in previous modules, in Lesson 1 of Unit 1, students discover this topic by examining multiple artifacts, and they are introduced to the guiding questions of the module and the culminating performance task. In the second lesson, students begin reading their anchor text, The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan, and they analyze the author's point of view and perspective. Throughout the subsequent lessons in the first half of the unit as they continue to read excerpts from The Omnivore's Dilemma, students also analyze the structure Pollan uses and how it contributes to key points. Students begin to delineate and evaluate Pollan's arguments, as well as arguments presented in video format. When reading and watching videos to delineate and evaluate arguments, they consider whether the evidence is sound and sufficient. This work prepares students for the Mid-Unit 1 Assessment.

In the second half of Unit 1, students continue to read The Omnivore's Dilemma while exploring other mediums such as digital print, video, and photographs that express information about food choices. Students analyze the purpose and motive behind information presented in these different mediums and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums to present information. Students also analyze cases in which two sources disagree. This work prepares students for the end of unit assessment.

Preparation and Materials

Ensure that families are aware of the sensitive content of The Omnivore's Dilemma, such as discussion about the treatment of animals in feedlots, the impacts of high-fructose corn syrup and sugary foods on the health of Americans, food deserts, and other content that impacts access to healthy food, and prepare students who may be affected by this content in advance.

The following materials are introduced in this unit and referenced throughout both the module and the school year:

Habits of Character/Social-Emotional Learning Focus

Central to the EL Education curriculum is a focus on "habits of character" and social-emotional learning. Students work to become effective learners, developing mindsets and skills for success in college, career, and life (e.g., initiative, responsibility, perseverance, collaboration); work to become ethical people, treating others well and standing up for what is right (e.g., empathy, integrity, respect, compassion); and work to contribute to a better world, putting their learning to use to improve communities (e.g., citizenship, service).

In this unit, students focus on working to become effective learners as they show perseverance to learn and practice new reading and listening skills that allow them to evaluate an author or speaker's point of view, motives, purpose, structure, and argument. Students also practice working to become ethical people as they show empathy and compassion for classmates with different experiences or ideas about access to food or food justice.

Texts


The Omnivore's Dilemma (Young Readers Edition)

by Michael Pollan

one per student


Nourish: Short Films (DVD)

by NourishLife

one per classroom