Lesson Plan: Convenience Foods

Subject:  Food and Nutrition                                                   Date:

Class:  Form 4

Duration:  80 minutes

Topic:  Convenience Foods

Objectives:  Students should be able to:

·         define the term ‘convenience foods’

·         identify reasons convenience have become popular

·         explain the advantages and disadvantages of convenience foods

·         classify convenience foods according to types

Content:

Convenience foods are described as foods that are partially or totally processed by the food manufacturer.

Advantages of convenience foods: 

·         quick and easy to prepare

·         a wide variety is available

Disadvantages of convenience foods:

·         they may contain high levels of sugar, salt and fat

·         nutrients are lost during processing

Types:

·         Dehydrated:  powdered milk,  coffee

·         Canned:   juices,  fruits

·         Ready to eat:  muffins,  cheese

Materials:   samples of various convenience foods, projector, screen

Web 2.0 tool:   Google search

Introduction:

The students will view the food items and they will be questioned.  Questions such as:  whether they use these food items at home, why they do they use these products instead of preparing them with  the natural ingredients and whether they know the general name for these products? Then they  will be informed of the topic and the objectives of the lesson.

Development:

·         The students will view a video presentation about convenience foods.  They will pay attention to the following points:  the definition of convenience foods and reasons they have become popular.

•   During the first viewing they will listen and observe.  During their second viewing they will      make notes.  After viewing the video, they will be questioned on the definition and reason these foods are popular.

      ·         Then they will read and underline the advantages and disadvantages of convenience foods 
              and explain each point.   

·         The students will read out the types of convenience foods from their text books. They will be presented with labels containing the types and they will classify the food items according to the type.  They will make the necessary corrections.  Afterwards, they will make a note of the types of convenience foods and write two other examples, which will be shared with the class.

Conclusion:

The students will read their notes aloud and emphasis will focus on certain points.

Evaluation:

The students will write a brief paragraph which will include their own definition for convenience foods, the disadvantages and advantages and the types of convenience foods.

 

Home Work:  

There is an ongoing debate on the health conditions that are triggered  by the increasing use of convenience foods in meal preparation.  What are your views on this issue?

The students will conduct research and post their findings and views on their class blog page.

 

 

 

 

Reflection on the course so far

At this time, I am not encountering any major challenges with the course.  The only issue I had was  communicating  with the group members via google docs chart.   I found it to be a bit restrictive.  I  think it is easier to communicate effectively with persons face to face in a group setting.  Eventually I will  get  use to this means of  communication because this is all part of creating a virtual classroom.  The video on netiquette that was assigned for us to view in the first week was helpful.  After reading the guidelines I  realized that I had to be mindful of my responses  and  comments.    For this reason, I made an effort to apply these tips while working on the group assignment.