Food Deserts and Biological Connection

Students will learn what defines a food deserts, how the nutritional value of foods available to people in food deserts can lead to health concerns, and connect these food deserts to racial inequality and creating vulnerability to COVID-19.

Duration
1-2 hours
Lesson Type
Traditional Lesson

Lesson Created By: Stephanie Bailey

Lesson Partners: Center for the Education & Equity of African American Students (CEEAAS)

Essential Question

How do food deserts contribute to health challenges and which populations are most affected?

Grade(s):

  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12

Subject(s):

Recommended Technology:

Individual chromebook/iPad

Monitor/projector for display

Other Instructional Materials or Notes:

Lesson Progression

 

Engage: 

On the board write the words: Food Desert. Implement think-pair-share: have students brainstorm initial thoughts individually on what the phrase means. They then partner up with a neighbor and share thoughts. The teacher then asks for groups to share out ideas. Show the students this NPR report on food deserts in DC - ask them to listen for what defines a food desert. 

Explore: 

Print for each student (from Teaching Tolerance): 

● Food Desert Statistics 

● What’s in Store? 

Have students read through the food desert statistics and make notes of items they find surprising, and areas that seem inequitable. 

Direct students to complete the handout “What’s in Store”. If they do not know what type of area they live in, direct them to the Rural Health Information Hub 

Explain 

Present to students the four macromolecules and their basic structures. Using the jigsaw method, divide students into groups of four, numbering them off and assigning one person in each group to research: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. All students assigned to each macromolecule get together to complete their organic molecule expert group (handout included below). They then return to their home group and share their findings. 

Elaborate 

Students will consult the SCDHEC food desert map to make claims about the areas where more food deserts are found.

Assessments

Food Desert effects on health - included in handouts.