This question came up this week in my health class.I have the pleasure to teach Dance, Yoga, and Health a "Last Chance" High School. My students have not been successful in other environments and are given the opportunity to receive their high school diploma in a smaller school environment
Many of the neighborhoods they live in are "food deserts", places that you can not purchase fresh fruits and vegetables.
The staff of our school works tirelessly to make up for this by providing exposure to things they may not have came across. Many of our students have children so their exposure to nutrition will not only benefit them, but in many cases their infants and toddlers. They are interested in eating healthier. This semester I am piloting a two and a half hour block period that will meet once a week. Our focus is on urban communities and inequality one unit we will cover is food issues.
My Project
I am requesting a class set of Micheal Pollan's "The Omnivores Dilemma for Young Readers". I am also requesting the original version of the text, "In Defense of Food" also by Pollan, and "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver as supplement texts that I can create handouts from. A component of Barbara Kingsolvers book is recipes. We have been granted access to a kitchen and we will try out some of the dishes. I choose all of these texts for their popularity and relevance.
Supporting this project gives my students the opportunity to learn about food issues.
The support of current relevant books also will give students a voice. Maybe the next Jamie Oliver will be in the bunch, maybe one student will decide to go to college for nutrition, what I can guarantee is that they will understand food choices and how these choices affect their and communities health. Thank you!
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