Implementation of ‘Food Tests’ (SOI-RS-181)
We have used Europeana resources for our lessons and we have also implemented Learning Scenarios by other teachers, including the one titled “Food Tests” created by Biljana Ilieva. I find the topic of food very important and useful.
Background
As a Mathematics teacher, I decided to use this Learning Scenario to teach about percentages. Students made a research about the percentage of ingredients in different kinds of foods. In this lesson, we linked mathematics and food we consume and raised attention about healthy food. My students are 15 years old and percentages are part of the curriculum in Mathematics.
The process of implementation
The lesson started with the introduction into percentage calculations. These are the resources we used to learn about percentage:
One can find percentages in every package there are. In the second step, students searched the nutrition percentages in different kinds of items.
We investigated what nutrition information means and how you can use the information when needed. Students prepared a Powerpoint presentation in which they presented percentages of, for example, sugars in juices, or proteins in meat products. They used the Europeana Food and Drink project platform and the FoodDrinkEurope website to find information.
Also, the Sustainable Development Goals were discussed linked to health and how important it is to eat healthy food.
Presentations and discussions
Following each other’s presentations, students discussed about which nutrition is beneficial and what food consists of useful nutrition and in which percentage. This developed critical thinking skills: what you think is healthy may not actually be healthy at all.
Learning outcomes
In this implementation, students learned how to calculate percentages, understand how the percentage is used in real-life situations, examine ingredients of the food they eat, and to explore Sustainable Development Goals. They learned how to use resources that are in English and translated the information. In addition to Mathematics, they learned also about balanced nutrition (Health Education). As a conclusion, I found my students enjoyed learning when the mathematical lessons are oriented towards real-life application.
Did you find this story of implementation interesting? Why don’t you read about the related learning scenario?
Food Tests by Biljana Ilieva
Do you want to discover more stories of implementation? Click here.
Public Domain Mark 1.0: the featured image used to illustrate this article has been found on Europeana and has been provided by the Slovak National Gallery.