Modeling Prompt

Encourage students to explore their neighborhood, see what’s available, and read food labels. There are also websites and apps that calculate calories based on the type and quantity of food.

Students should compare several options in order to determine which is best. Ensure that they have evidence they considered a variety of plans before settling on one.

If some groups are struggling to keep track of all the information, invite students to share their methods of organizing the information.

Group presentations could include each group sharing their rankings followed by a class debate to determine what food options are best according to most (if not all) of their criteria.

Synthesis discussion could include the definition of a food desert. Invite students to compare their definition of “close to home” with the food desert definition.

The average adult needs 2,000 calories a day. What’s the best way to achieve that goal?

1. What is the best option overall?

2. What is the best option using only food available close to your home?

3. This neighborhood is planning on opening a food co-op to bring in more local, fresh, and healthy foods.

   1. Their first instinct is to evenly spread out all the food stores. Where should they open the co-op to best accomplish this goal?

   2. Is that the best location? Where would you open the co-op?

Provide copies of the blackline master. Each group needs at least 5 tables.

Encourage students to explore their neighborhood, see what’s available and read food labels. There are also websites and apps that calculate calories based on the type and quantity of food.

Group presentations could include each group sharing their rankings followed by a class debate to determine what food options are best according to most (if not all) of their criteria.

Synthesis discussion could include the definition of a food desert. Invite students to compare their definition of "close to home" with the food desert definition.

The average adult needs 2,000 calories a day. What’s the best way to achieve that goal?

1. Choose 1 definition of best from the list the class brainstormed. Why did you choose that definition?

2. Complete 3 tables by putting your definition in the empty column. What is the best option of these 3?

3. What options do you have for purchasing food close to your home?

   1. Complete 2 tables using only those options.

   2. What is the best option using only food available within 1 mile of your home?

4. This neighborhood is planning on opening a food co-op to bring in more local, fresh, and healthy foods. Where should they open the co-op?

   1. Their first instinct is to evenly spread out all the food stores. Where should they open the co-op to best accomplish this goal?

   2. Is that the best location? Where would you open the co-op?

Provide copies of the blackline master. Each group needs one set of data and at least 5 blank tables.

Group presentations could include each group sharing their rankings followed by a class debate to determine what food options are best according to most (if not all) of their criteria.

Synthesis discussion could include the definition of a food desert. Invite students to compare the provided map with the food desert definition.

The average adult needs 2,000 calories a day. What’s the best way to achieve that goal?

1. Choose 1 definition of best that you have enough information to determine. Why did you choose that definition?

2. Complete 3 tables by putting your definition in the empty column. What is the best option of these 3?

3. What options do you have for purchasing food within 1 mile of home? (The map has a scale of 1 unit\(=\frac14\) mile)

   1. Complete 2 tables using only those options.

   2. What is the best option using only food available within 1 mile of home?

4. This neighborhood is planning on opening a food co-op to bring in more local, fresh and healthy foods. Where should they open the co-op?

   1. Their first instinct is to evenly spread out all the food stores. Where should they open the co-op to best accomplish this goal?

   2. Is that the best location? Where would you place the co-op?