Lesson+Comparison

The second grade inquiry is more guided than the 6th grade lesson. Exposure to the food pyramid and prior knowledge or understanding of nutrition is still basic and building in second grade. The variation in reading abilities is great in second grade, some are learning to read, others reading to learn. The brevity of most snack recipes makes the task manageable (reading and writing) for both groups and ties their budding understanding of nutritional needs to something they understand, snacks! This exercise also helps them realize they can make choices that are healthy based on their understanding of the food groups; they can be responsible for making healthy choices which affect their health. Recipe sites were bookmarked for second graders although search terms were discussed to help those who may be ready to try a search themselves. Discussing search terms also helps build familiarity with the process even if students aren't ready to try it yet. The worksheet provided guides the second graders through the steps of identifying a need then giving them a recipe template to use since many may be unfamiliar with recipes. Writing and sharing the recipes with the class and families, sharing what they learned, is a good habit to instill in second graders. Their communication skills are maturing and will continue to expand in scope and depth, a recipe is appropriate for this age and development level. The product of a recipe although simple, is a true culmination of much analyzing and synthesizing to satisfy a real world need to have a balanced, healthy diet. Because the inquiry stems from a personal information need, this could serve as a gateway for some students to realize inquiry can be used for completely PERSONAL inquiry, a goal of becoming an information literate being and a lifelong learner.

The older students are familiar with the food pyramid and daily recommendations. Their prior knowledge base is enough to allow them to branch off into deeper exploration of nutrition. These students are able to search the web for information easily because of prior experiences. The databases through the school media center offer good resources and are fairly easy to use, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to use community connections as resources. The students have done interviews of family members, peers and school staff in the past as well as listened to guest speakers before, but asking questions of an expert to gain information is a little different, more formal, than previous experiences. The interview tips handout gives very general information about preparing for an interview, while the interview handout guides students to think about interviews in general, different types or reasons to interview, and prompts them to prepare for the guest speakers. The worksheet can also promote discussion of any questions the students may have regarding the interview. This lesson is similar to the 2nd grade lesson in that the purpose is to connect basic information (food groups) as a springboard to an inquiry of personal choosing. The 6th grade lesson though, requires more fluency in search resources (multiple formats) and synthesis of information gathered. The communication of knowledge is also more complex and targeted to a wider audience, one beyond the school community.