1. To gain a better understanding of people in different parts of the world.

2. To understand cultural influences on the food that people eat.

3. To understand the effect of geography and climate on the food that is available in different countries.

4. To explore the strengths that each one of us has in the presentation of newly found knowledge.

5. To have fun!

This assignment is designed as a group project. It is preferable that groups not be larger than four or five. Students in the past have done it several ways. Your group does not have to be composed of the same people that are in your cooking group.

Your group is to select a country that you would like to know more about. This may be a country that you have studied in social studies, or one that you are from, or have visited, or any country that is of interest to you. You will then research the country and its food, prepare a creative presentation to the class, and plan a meal or food experience from that country for the class. You will be the teachers of the class during this unit. This will be fun if you are creative! Remember for a group to be successful, everyone must share the responsibilities.

1. Interview someone from the country of your choice-possibly a parent, grandparent, friend, or neighbor.

2. Call or visit a restaurant that serves food from the country you have selected.

3. Use our media center to find information in books, magazines, encyclopedias, and computers. Click here to go to website links listed below.

4. Call the embassy of the country to see what information that they can give you.

5. Other???

1. The people - - explore their customs, their lifestyles, and their history. What effect have people from that country had on the world? What effect have they had on the United States? What other exciting facts can you find about the people?

2. What foods grow naturally in the country that you have selected? How do traditions determine what is or is not eaten? What cooking techniques are used? What spices are used? What influence has the country's food had in the United States?

3. Learn about the climate and geography. How has it affected the people? How has it affected the food that the people are able to grow?

4. What are favorite dishes and recipes from the country? Include a typical menu containing appetizers, main dishes, vegetables, salads, breads, desserts, drinks, etc.

5. Anything else you can think of, or find interesting.

It will be your responsibility to present the information to the class in an interesting and informative way. Make it fun for you and your classmates. Discover each other's strengths in doing your presentation.

You will need to:

1. Present your material in an interesting way. Use music or dance, skits, visual aids, guest speakers, guest chefs, make your own video, find a video on that country, design a mural, create a rap, or anything else that you can think of to teach what you have learned to the class. Your group will be the teachers. You must hand in a written report in addition to your oral presentation.

2. Your group is responsible for planning the foods that the class will prepare and enjoy from your country. You will be responsible for making a market order, making plan sheets for the class, and planning the type of service. You may want to create a restaurant, have a party, do a demonstration, have a traditional meal, etc. This will be up to you.

FOR A GRADE OF A:

All of the items must be fulfilled.

1. Students must supply items 1-5 under "Information That You Need to Find". This must be well written and must completely cover each item. Students must present material in an attractive manner such as a typed report in a nice folder with attractive maps, graphics etc.

2. Students must creatively present material to the class in an interesting way. The presentation must show what they have learned in # 1. This may be done by a play, a video that students have made, a song that they have written, a newspaper that they have produced about the country, guest speakers, ect.

3. Students will creatively and thoughtfully plan a fun and exciting food lab so that class members can get a better understanding of the people and culture, as well as the food of the country. Students will be responsible for recipes, market orders, etc.

FOR A GRADE OF B:

Two of the items must be fulfilled. One of these must be # 1.

1. Students must supply items 1-5 under "Information That You Need to Find". This must be well written and must completely cover each item. Students must present material in an attractive manner such as a typed report in a nice folder with attractive maps, graphics etc.

2. Students must creatively present material to the class in an interesting way. The presentation must show what they have learned in # 1. This may be done by a play, a video that students have made, a song that they have written, a newspaper that they have produced about the country, guest speakers, ect.

3. Students will creatively and thoughtfully plan a fun and exciting food lab so that class members can get a better understanding of the people and culture, as well as the food of the country. Students will be responsible for recipes, market orders, etc.

FOR A GRADE OF C

Students must complete # 1.

1. Students must supply items 1-5 under "Information That You Need to Find". This must be well written and must completely cover each item. Students must present material in an attractive manner such as a typed report in a nice folder with attractive maps, graphics etc.