Visual Geography: Mapping Global Food Stories
In this weekly series, students will explore where our favorite foods come from and create story maps. Each week will focus on a different food such as pizza or chocolate. Discussions will include geography, history, math and mapmaking.
Benjamin Corey's Creative Curriculum Coop
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What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hours per weekProjects
Learners will begin a mapping project each week with the option to finish at homeProgress Report
includedClass Experience
US Grade 6 - 9
The focus of this ongoing series is to understand how everyday foods, enjoyed by many people, have interesting geographical backstories. Teacher Cameron will explore the geography and history of popular foods such as pizza, chocolate, bananas, and Coca-Cola. Common themes to be discussed include early exploration, world geography, trade, globalization, colonialism, food miles, and Fair Trade. Each class will involve creating story maps as the main activity, summarizing the learning about each food. This will include an introduction to mapmaking, covering symbols, colors, lines, and the organization of ideas, with mapmaking being modeled throughout each lesson. Additional activities to support the learning will include class discussions, fun quizzes and games, and sometimes singing. Teacher Cameron aims to give everyone a chance to participate in whichever way suits them, always providing a safe and supportive learning environment. Teacher Cameron encourages students to share their work to receive feedback and credit for their efforts. Week of.... Jan 6- Jan 10 Chocolate Power Jan 13-Jan17 Coca-Cola Buzz Jan 20-Jan 24 Going Bananas Jan 27-Jan 31 Pineapple Royalty Feb 3-7 Food Shipping Routes/Canals Feb 10-14 Food Miles Feb 17-24 Waste Streams Feb 24-28 No Class Mar 3-7 Cinnamon Monsters Mar 10-14 The Potato is King Mar 17-21 Avocado Mafia Mar 24-28 Noodles/Spaghetti
Learning Goals
Understanding world geography - countries, oceans, climates, trade routes etc.Awareness of the global nature of food production and food tastes
Other Details
Learning Needs
Sketchnoting, a visual note-taking method, benefits neurodiverse learners by embracing non-linear thinking. Its use of iconography and visual metaphor provides alternative pathways for comprehension, accommodating diverse cognitive styles.
Parental Guidance
Teacher Cameron has had a lot experience leading class discussions on sensitive historical concepts. In this class, he addresses sensitive topics such as slavery and colonialism in his lessons about food history with a balanced approach. He recognizes that most students have already learned about the slave trade in their school lessons and does not dwell on these subjects. However, he includes them as part of the narrative on early globalization, explaining their impact on the popularity and affordability of certain foods, like chocolate. Cameron highlights the economic aspects and briefly touches on social justice issues, encouraging students to ask questions and engage in discussions. He also informs students about current efforts to address social justice in the international food industry, such as Fair Trade initiatives.
To ensure he handles these topics appropriately, Cameron consults best practices from educational resources. Notable references include articles from Tes Magazine and Edutopia, which provide strategies for improving teaching about colonialism and adopting a trauma-informed approach to discussing the colonization of the Americas.
Sources:
Tes Magazine: 5 Ways to Improve Schools’ Teaching About Colonialism
Edutopia: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Teaching the Colonization of the Americas
Supply List
- Something to draw with and something to draw on. Could be digital or paper. - Standard size plain paper. Printed map worksheets sometimes. Colored pencils or markers. An atlas is always helpful. :-)
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
1. Pizza Pilgrims. *Pizza: History, Recipes, Stories, People, Places, Love*. 2020.
2. *Food through the Ages: A Popular History*. 2021.
3. *The History of Food: From Ancient Times to Modern Day: 3 (The History Series)*. 2024.
4. Explore. "Origins of Traditional Food from Across the World - Explore." [Explore UK](https://www.explore.co.uk/blog/food-origins-from-across-the-world).
5. TIME. "The Fascinating Histories Behind 9 of Your Favorite Foods." July 21, 2015. TIME](https://time.com/3957687/brief-history-food/).
6. The British Geographer. "Geography of Food." [The British Geographer](https://thebritishgeographer.weebly.com/geography-of-food.html).
Joined January, 2018
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Popular
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Teacher expertise and credentials
4 teachers have teaching certificates
Georgia Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
Non-US Teaching Certificate in Social Studies/History
Georgia Teaching Certificate in Special Education
North Carolina Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education
4 teachers have a Graduate degree
Doctoral Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from University of Arts in Belgrade
Master's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from University of Arts in Belgrade
Master's Degree in Education from Georgia College and State University
Master's Degree in Education from Georgia State University
Master's Degree in Education from University of Georgia
9 teachers have a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's Degree in English from Kennesaw State University
Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science from Vassar College
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Georgia Southern University
Bachelor's Degree in Communications from Ramapo College of New Jersey
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from University of Georgia
Bachelor's Degree in Education from UNCP
Bachelor's Degree in Science from Oglethorpe University
Bachelor's Degree in Science from Hampshire College
Bachelor's Degree in History from Georgia State University
Teacher Cameron is certified to teach geography by the University College of London and has been teaching young people about topics ranging from ecosystems to world trade for more than 7 years. Throughout his life, he has had the good fortune to travel to many amazing places around the world, including China, the US, and Africa. He brings that experience and sense of adventure to his classes.Reviews
Live Group Class
$18
weekly1x per week
55 min
Completed by 26 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-13
2-10 learners per class
