#4200. Mapping the Foods of the New & Old World
Social Studies, level: Middle
Posted Sat Jul 19 11:33:19 PDT 2008 by EMR (
EMR).
Bridgewater, MA
Materials Required: Large map of the world.
Activity Time: One Class Period
Materials needed:
Large laminated wall map of the world.
5 sets of small pictures of New & Old World Foods (see attached table).
Push pins or tape.
Student worksheet with two columns labeled Old World Foods and New World Foods.
Handout of the correct answers.
Overview:
Many students do not know the origins of common foods such as tomatoes and chocolate. This introductory lesson will help the students see what New World foods are common in the American diet.
Activity:
1. Begin the lesson by discussing the geographic distance between the Old World and the New World. Point out that lengthy sea voyages were the only way to connect the two worlds. Remind the students that until Christopher Columbus sailed to the New World in 1492 that Europeans were unaware of many of the foods we eat today.
2. Break the students into five groups. Give each group a worksheet and a set of small pictures with food on them.
3. Have each group brainstorm for 5 minutes about what foods originated in the New World or Old World. Have the students complete their group worksheet.
4. Have one student from each group attach their pictures to the World Map.
5. Bring the class back together to discuss the results. Did every group agree on food origins? (Hopefully not)
6. Provide each student with a copy of the correct answers.
Wrap up:
Discuss common misconceptions students had, what was the biggest surprise.
New World Food Old World Food
Turkey Chicken
Corn Wheat
Pumpkin Grapes
Chocolate Olives
Tomato Apple
Potato Lettuce
Chiles Broccoli
Lime Oats
Manioc Asparagus
Vanilla Beets
Avocado Celery
Pineapple Cucumber
Lima bean Peas
