EpiDeMiC. that takes learning off the page and into student s lives. Created by Room 213

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Dina Summers
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1 EpiDeMiC that takes learning off the page and into student s lives Created by Room 213

2 Let s be honest: the research process can be pretty dry. Students eyes glaze over when we start talking about paraphrasing, evaluating sources and works cited pages. So, I designed a unit that they would find engaging, that would teach them important research skills, and that would help them make healthier life choices. I teach in a high school that is very close to a great number of fast food restaurants, and I m always shocked how regularly my students eat at them. This unit is my attempt to educate them about the dangers of doing so. Procedure: 1. Students will conduct research to answer questions related to the obesity epidemic. 2. Students will reflect on their own eating habits and then conduct research on required calorie consumption and exercise for their age group. 3. Next they research some nutritional information for popular fast food restaurants and create a group presentation to share their findings. 4. The next step is to look into the cost of buying healthy food and snacks; this can take the form of a field trip if your location allows. 5. Finally, they will write a letter to the editor to share what they have learned. I have included two different sets of instructions one for a group that may need more direction, and another for a group that needs less structure.

3 Conduct research to answer the following questions. You will use the information you find to write a persuasive letter. Take point form notes so as to avoid plagiarizing If you want to use a direct quote, record it as such in your notes Be sure to record all information that you will need for a works cited page (see graphic organizer). Here are some places to start looking: Time Magazine, The New York Times, The Huffington Post, The National Post, What do the terms overweight and obese mean? 2. How has the obesity rate for children and teens changed in the last thirty years? 3. What health problems are associated with childhood obesity? (Find information from at least three different sources). 4. How have portion sizes changed in the last decades? 5. Why did New York City s Mayor Bloomberg want to ban the sale of some sugary drinks? 6. What can parents do to combat obesity? 7. Find some interesting facts on your own. Record at least two different ideas that were not touched on in the above questions.

4 Graphic Organizer for MLA Works Cited Website title Date created Date visited Organization responsible Author (if available) Web address Notes/Quotes

5 Food Intake Survey: On a typical day, what would you eat for each of the following? Include drinks and be as specific as you can. For example, if you have a bagel in the morning, what kind? What do you put on it? Breakfast Morning Snack Lunch Afternoon Snack Dinner Evening snack

6 Look at your average daily intake (from the survey ) and find out roughly how many calories you take in on an average day. Don t forget to add items like peanut butter, dressing, beverages, etc. Record the calories on your survey, then put the total on this sheet. Use When you are finished, research the following: How many calories should someone your age & activity level consume? In order to be healthy, what kinds of food should a person eat each day?

7 Divide your students into groups to investigate the fat and calorie content of their favourite fast food restaurants. The sheet on the next page reflects the ones that are frequented by my students.

Find out the calorie and fat content of several different meals at your assigned fast

Be sure to include beverages, and some of their healthy choices, like salads.

McDonald s Wendy s Dairy Queen Subway KFC Harvey s A & W Your favorite pizza place Each

8 Find out the calorie and fat content of several different meals at your assigned fast food restaurant. Be sure to include beverages, and some of their healthy choices, like salads. Don t forget to include dressing. McDonald s Wendy s Dairy Queen Subway KFC Harvey s A & W Your favorite pizza place Each group will present its findings to the class. Create a power point or prezi that you can use to present your research. Include a works cited. Each person in the group should be responsible for presenting the info on at least one meal.

For an engaging presentation: Record your information on notes you can refer to don t read off the screen Maintain eye-contact with the audience Speak slowly and clearly Know your part be clear

9 For an engaging presentation: Record your information on notes you can refer to don t read off the screen Maintain eye-contact with the audience Speak slowly and clearly Know your part be clear on what it is you have to say, and when it s your turn to speak. When you re presenting in a group: Make a plan Divide the work evenly Make transitions between speakers Practice! Group Member: Job:

So the next step is a trip to a nearby grocery store where I attempt to prove to them

10 At this point in the process, I usually have heard several students comment that the reason so many people eat fast food is because it s too expensive to eat healthy food. So the next step is a trip to a nearby grocery store where I attempt to prove to them that you can eat well for less! If a trip doesn t work for you, you can provide the prices yourself.

11 You will be going to the local grocery store with two different grocery lists. Work in groups, and record the prices of the items on the list. If there are choices, pick the cheapest one! Grocery List #1 Family size bag of chips Pack of shredded cheese Pack of sliced cheese Packaged Pizza Frozen dinner x 4 2L pop x 4 Tub of ice cream Package of cookies Packaged hamburgers Hamburger buns Pack of French fries Cereal Grocery List #2 Bag of carrots Bag of potatoes Bag of onions Bag of frozen broccoli Whole chicken not pieces Package of pasta Loaf of bread Sandwich meat Dozen eggs Cereal Milk Package of cookies Milk

When we return from our field trip I ask the students to total the cost of the groceries on each list. The first and less healthy one is always substantially higher.

12 When we return from our field trip I ask the students to total the cost of the groceries on each list. The first and less healthy one is always substantially higher. For example, based on 2013 prices in my area: GL #1 = $73.15 and GL #v = $ Then, I show them the following (based on list #2): One roast chicken dinner for four 1 meal of soup (with the left over chicken) 1 meal of pasta (with the left over chicken & frozen broccoli) Sandwiches for lunch Breakfast 2-3 meals for $30 Ready made/frozen dinner x 4 = $3.5 x 4 = McD s combo x 4 = meals for $42.00 Therefore, it s pretty obvious, that a family can eat healthy food for less. It is also obviously more work, but far better in the long run!

13 Letter to the Editor Assignment: Write a letter to the editor, explaining the problems with fast food and how it contributes to obesity. Include some of the facts you discovered during both your research on obesity and fast food. Use the following structure as a guidline, and write in proper paragraph form: Paragraph one: Discuss the fact that North America has a growing problem with obesity. Use some statistics/facts from your research. Paragraph two: Discuss the fat and calorie content of some fast foods and explain why it s a bad idea to eat too much of it. Paragraph three: Explain how many calories a child should get each day; discuss the dangers of eating too many calories and too much fat. Paragraph four: End with a paragraph that tells parents what they can do to help their child with this problem give them some specific examples. ~You will need to pass in a works cited page with your letter.

14 Letter to the Editor Assignment: Write a letter to the editor, explaining the problems with fast food and how it contributes to obesity. Include some of the facts you discovered during both your research on obesity and fast food. Your letter should also explain the guidelines for healthy eating and offer suggestions for combating obesity. ~You will need to pass in a works cited page with your letter.

15 Thanks so much for downloading my product. If you have any questions or concerns, please don t hesitate to contact me. If you would like to leave some feedback and earn some TPT credits please Thanks again! Room 213 All rights reserved by the author. Permission for single class use only. Many thanks to

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