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- A Local Food Project
A Local Food Project
Key Learning Area
SOSE/HSIE
Level
Middle Primary
Description
Students discover cultural influences in own community by researching information about local restaurants or food outlets.
Lesson overview
To research information about cultural influences on food in local area
Lesson duration
Three sessions: two – three hours
Main learning outcomes
Culture Strand: Stage 2
Explain how shared customs, practices, symbols, languages and traditions in communities contribute to Australian and community identities
Materials required
Procedure
- Introduction
Read The Really Big Food Project to the class. Discuss how Tom and Emma discovered many different cultural influences in their local area through their project on rice. - Discussion
Pose the questions:
‘What cultural influences on food are there in our area?’
‘How could we find out?’
Record suggestions. - Researching information
Plan a class visit to the food mall at the local shopping centre or a visit to the local shops. If this is not possible, use the local business directory to research the information required. - Handout 4: Eating Out
- Class discussion
As a class, discuss what influences there have been from other countries / cultures. - Small group activity
Organise students into groups of two, three or four. Each group selects one of the listed food outlets / restaurants to investigate.
Ask students to answer:- What do we already know about this food venue?
- What would we like to find out?
Ask students to record answers on Post It notes and display on class poster.
Questions might include:- What style of cooking do they do?
- How is the food prepared?
- What ingredients do they use?
- What are the names of the dishes / menu items?
- Are the names in English?
- How is the food served?
- What eating utensils are provided?
- How is the seating arranged?
- What style of clothing do the staff wear?
- Small group project
Each group researches information about their selected food outlet / restaurant. Students select five sub-headings for their project using the questions that have been displayed on the class chart. The poster should include a heading, a picture / photo of their food outlet, information organised under sub-headings and a summary of cultural influences on the food outlet. A sample menu may also be included.
Extension Activity
Students do an individual project on a different food outlet.
Suggested follow-up activities
Ask students to cut out newspaper articles from local
