For the Sake of the Call

For the Sake of the Call

Jul. 27, 2007 - Teaching Geography with Time's What the World Eats

Geography is not just about maps, it also about world cultures, economic activity, and how people in different parts of the world live. So when my dear friend Becky Bowersox highlighted this link on her blog, I got so excited about all the Geography lessons that can be learned in a fun way through this series of photographs. I couldn't help but share with you. First, the photos and the information that they present is so interesting! Who knew that there was already so much pre-packaged food in Kuwait? I was fascinated! I know you will be too, and just to make it even easier, here are some activites that can be done to enhance the educational experience.

Teaching Geography with Time's What the World Eats

Look at the pictures, what are your initial observations. (When I just flipped through them and 2dd8 saw the picture with the pizza, fried chicken, Burger King, McDonalds, Taco Bell etc. she said, "That must be America!")
Compare & Contrast the types of foods on the table. Which families use more fresh produce, which ones have more take-out? What other foods look interesting or unfamiliar? What things do you notice?
Compare and contrast the amount of money that is spent each week on groceries. Compare and contrast the quantity of food and the number of people that it feeds in the different cities.
Compare & Contrast the number of people in each family. Note the places where different generations are living together. Especially note the Beijing family, look closely, this is not a family with one daughter and one son, but a grandmother, mom, dad, and son. Talk about Chinese "one child only policies."
Compare and Contrast the various living environments that are pictured. Some live in cramped houses while others live in tents. Use deductive reasoning to imagine the rest of the house (ex. the picture may have been taken in front of the TV because there isn't a separate dining room). Discuss nomads.
Use a map to find the different cities and countries that are listed. Where in the world is Bhutan?
Observe the different types of clothes that are worn, do they tell you anything about the people pictured?
Compare and contrast the favorite foods that are listed. Try out a new recipe.
Note the expressions on various faces. Why do you think the German boy is so angry? Why is the family from Ecuador smiling when they have so little? Talk to people who have been on a mission trip to different parts of the world, ask them to describe the people there.
Final observations: What other things of significance do you notice in the pictures? What have you learned? How does it make you feel about what you have?

Follow up: Pray for the different families pictured. Pray for missionaries that minister in the different areas of the world. Pray that the Gospel would be proclaimed and that people would be receptive to it. Thank God for the abundance that He has provided for your family. Consider sponsering a child or supporting a missionary. Consider donating to a local food bank, volunteering at one, or starting a food pantry at your church. Grow a garden, start eating more fresh, whole foods. Visit the Farmer's Market. Be creative, come up with other ideas that you can do with your family.

Other Resources: The Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide by Maggie Hogan & Cindy Wigger, Window on the World by Daphne Spraggett with Jill Johnstone

• Post A Comment!

Jul. 27, 2007 - impressive

Posted by Anonymous

Wow! You took a simple photo essay and created not just one but probably a series of lessons out of it. As a (currently out of the classroom) teacher, I must say I'm very impressed!

Becky

Permanent Link

Jul. 27, 2007 - Awesome!

Posted by socalval

Thanks so much for this entry!!! We just sent our good friends back to Vietam as Missionaries (with their photos on our refrig), a cousin to war (he's only 19), and a husband to work(thankfully he'll come home tonight)! You are right that you can make a "school lesson" from your own list of friends and family. So simple, but can be so educating.

Have a wonderful day today and a great weekend!

Valerie

Permanent Link

Jul. 27, 2007 - Wow

Posted by Nikki http://appreciatinglife.blogspot.com/

Wow, what an eye opener, even for an adult! Fascinating to see the differences, isn't it?

Permanent Link

Jul. 27, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by CountryMomof4

Ooh, this sounds right up our alley! I'll have to check it out. My kids learn so much more when it's visual and interactive! ~Karlie

Permanent Link

Jul. 27, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Honeybee

So did you happen to notice how much milk wasn't in the pictures? :) We drink at least 7, closer to 8 gallons. Though I saw lots of pop and even water, hardly any milk. Interesting.

By the way...I thought you looked fabulous the other day! Just wanted you to know!
Love ya!
Me

Permanent Link

Jul. 27, 2007 - what world eats

Posted by Jimmie

Yes, that website is cool! I enjoyed looking at it. But of course, those families were hand picked. For example the Chinese representative is from some huge city (BJ maybe) and they have lots of KFC things on the table. Yes, KFC is in China, and of course many people eat it. BUT the vast majority of Chinese citizens have never tasted it!

But Chinese people do eat a lot of fruit and veggies! That's a big difference that the photo does bring out.

Permanent Link

Jul. 29, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by drewsfamilytx

I think that is a fantastic book! It is something that every kid can relate to...FOOD.

Permanent Link

Jul. 30, 2007 - Very cool!

Posted by Darrensgirl

I can't wait to take some time to cruise over to the sites you mentioned. Thanks for taking the time to research it for us:)

Hope you're doing well. Enjoyed your previous comment about your father/brother's surprise when you looked "so great". This current lifestyle has forced me to be more "finished" when I walk out of the house or even inside my four walls since I never know who will stop by. In a way, it's been really great because I've discovered for just a few minutes more each day (literally 5 min.to blow dry my hair and apply a little make-up to take away the circles:) I can feel more finished and professional. Although, certainly, this could become an area of imbalence and pride, I think about the passage in the Bible about fasting and how we should not go around in sack cloth but rather put oil on our heads so the outside world doesn't see our sacrifice. I've come to think about that little bit of make up, jewelry, less frumpy clothing, etc... in much the same way. As mommies, we make lots of sacrifices. Does the world need to read our weariness in a glance? I'm still thinking through all these things,but this is where I am at the present. I'd love your thoughts?!

Permanent Link

Jul. 30, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

I LOVE that book, and check out its sister book... How People Live. Amazing. Humbling. My kids couldn't believe it.
Miss seeing you!
~Heather

Permanent Link

Jul. 30, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

AAARrrggghhh... "How People Live" isn't the title. Now I can't remember what the title was. It was done by the same person, though. It went around the world and took everything out of the home of these selected families and placed them all in front of the house ~ photographing it all along with the actual dwelling. Then it listed the items, the peoples desires for the future, their prized posesssion, their income, their occupations, etc... Truly a fascinating book. Next time I'm at the library, I'll try to remember to check it out and post the title.
Sorry!
~Heather

Permanent Link

Jul. 30, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by rvnurse2b

WOW- that's a great little study! Thanks for posting it:)

Permanent Link

Jul. 30, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Dedee

This is an awesome idea. I'm going to use it on my kids soon. Wonder why they had two people from the US on there?

Permanent Link

Aug. 5, 2007 - This is awesome!

Posted by Anonymous

Thank you for this! You did such a good job on this, I think I am going to use it with my girls!
:o) Rachel (just4homeschoolfamilies)

Permanent Link

<- Last Page • Next Page ->

About Me

Philosophical musings from the heart of a home-educating mommy of four and wife of ten years. "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer." Psalms 19:14