Addressing a Difficult Topic in Elementary Grades

Students in an elementary class use this hands-on activity that models the distribution of limited food supplies. They do research and learn through discussion and debate about the ethical ... See More

Students in an elementary class use this hands-on activity that models the distribution of limited food supplies. They do research and learn through discussion and debate about the ethical problems related to feeding many people with limited resources. The students present their solutions using technology. The whole lesson is provided in the article as well as a rubric that can be used. This is a difficult concept for elementary students but the lesson will provide guidance on this topic.

Legumes for Learning

This lesson used a simplified inquiry approach with three phases: hands-on experiences, discussion of ideas, and applications for further learning. For the hands-on phase, the students par... See More

This lesson used a simplified inquiry approach with three phases: hands-on experiences, discussion of ideas, and applications for further learning. For the hands-on phase, the students participated in a simulation to determine if they had enough food for a month. This led to discussions about how to manage food shortages around the world. The assessment and technological applications of the lesson revolved around a group research project where the students made connections between historical and current world hunger challenges through the lens of technology. A rubric for grading student work was provided.