The Presence of Poppies and Possibilities of Potatoes

COLLECTION

UPPER ELEMENTARY | SOCIAL STUDIES & NUTRITION

The Presence of Poppies and Possibilities of Potatoes

Students will examine programs of the US Food Administration specifically during the World War I era to understand the influence on public health behaviors. This will include exploring food posters from World War I and examining why they were effective before attempting to create their own convincing poster advertising positive food choices. In addition, students will create speeches encouraging positive food choices similar to those that the “Four Minute Men” delivered during WWI. Students will also explore trench gardens from the war front and the meaning of poppies to those that were in war.

Concepts: Understanding WWI | Examining Primary Sources

Essential Questions

How can our understandings of our personal health be influenced by family, peers, culture, media, technology, etc?
How was life during the WWI era different than life today both at home and abroad?

Standards Addressed

Focus

SS5H8 The student will describe U.S. involvement in World War I and post-World War I America.
- a. Explain how German attacks on U.S. shipping during the war in Europe (1914 – 1917) ultimately led the U.S. to join the fight against Germany; include the sinking of the Lusitania and concerns over safety of U.S. ships, U.S. contributions to the war, and the impact of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.2 Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.8 Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence support which point(s).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.5 Demonstrate an understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.5.A Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.5.B Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.
HE5.2. Students will analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology, and other factors on health behaviors.