Food Lesson: Why Does What I Eat Matter?

I taught this lesson twice, once with my 8th graders and currently with my 7th graders. Having a second go around with this lesson I was able to maximize the lesson plan to its fullest potential, following it to a T and the response has been amazing. I paired this with my class's cooking class (we do a 2 week cycle making connections to food, justice, climate change, and health). My students learned their favorite foods came from countries they didn't even know existed. My dusty globe finally had purpose as excited students rushed to see the oceans their food crossed to get to America. The topic of food always has a magical way of bringing up culture and connecting students to one another, as well. Students shared their families recipes and felt a connection to self, each other, and the world as they researched. I am so excited for the end of the week conversations we will have surrounding their food trackers. It is so funny to read through a typical middle schooler's snack list and I don't think they ever imagined a class where writing "hot cheetos and cheese" or "gummy bears soaked in chamoy" would give them full credit. Will share updates along my journey with this unit!