Okay, this one's a little on the longer side. We were asked to find and evaluate a resource for our Social Studies course. I've chosen Food and Culture: A Global, Collaborative Classrooms Project and here's why:
An educator who is dedicated to providing their students with an authentic, global experience will surely see what this project has to offer.
This real-world project allows classrooms from across the world to collaborate and develop knowledge regarding health, responsible citizenship (both locally and globally) in an engaging way. As I have had little experience in Geography and History in classroom settings, I have not seen this in action and had little to draw from regarding a resource. That being said, there is thorough step by step instructions that take a teacher through how to implement such a project and this valuable resource was not be passed up.
Canada and World connections are emphasized heavily throughout the curriculum in every grade. In Grade 6 students are asked to explain the relevance to Canada of current global issues under their overall expectations for Canada’s Link to the World. While looking at McDonaldization, the evolution of the supermarket and culturally similarities and differences, students can collaborate with another culture to share information. Where does food come from? What is the cost of food (consider transportation and storage)? These questions can help guide the unit and are even advised to be displayed to help focus the students. Similar themes are also explored in the Grade 7 Natural Resources unit. Through wikis classes can be paired to explore and exchange information about food, where it is found, how it is used and access to the Food and Culture cookbook can bring the experience to their table. The Food and Culture project provides a teacher with many resources, from lesson plans, to activities and research projects that are aligned with the United Nations Millennium Goals. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel, it’s just a matter of outlining what your class’ focus will be.
This project has many strengths. To begin, it caters to the 21st century learner. To the students who have been raised with the internet and want to be engaged through interaction. Using all sorts of technology students can communicate and learn together through Project-Based Learning in a virtual classroom. The project offers plenty of ideas to be used in your unit, and explanations on where to start planning. The project is aligned with many big ideas that we’ve discussed, from backwards design, authentic culminating tasks with a significant audience, students teaching students to name a few.
On the other hand, this is a new, developing project. This means that not all the wrinkles have been ironed out and there’s not quite as many classes on board as you may have wished. There’s no single pdf giving you a day to day schedule as to what should be done or a list of handouts to dish out. It will require time to sort through the abundant resources and it will take effort to organize such a project. It’s not meant for everyone, but it’s a project I would certainly like to be a part of.
For those who prioritize the environment, cross-cultural studies and technology this opportunity is not to be missed.
