Peace Corps

• Subject(s): Social Studies & Geography, Cross-Cultural Understanding
• Grade Level(s): 3–5, 6–8, K–2
• Related Publication: Peace Corps Challenge

Overview

Not everyone in the world eats at fast food restaurants, or even has the same vegetables as we do in America. When people think of a traditional "American" type of food, they usually say hamburgers and hot dogs. In most countries they have a popular dish. In fact, in the Peace Corps Challenge game they drank root juice and ate fried ants. Students will have the opportunity to learn about some of the traditional dishes from other countries of the world. The following teacher suggestion is designed to enhance the students learning from playing the Peace Corps Challenge on-line game.

Background Information

"You are what you eat" is something we often say. Food can tell you a lot about what a person is like, possibly even where they originate from. Cultures around the world eat many different things. These food choices can be very unusual to those of us in America, but can be a major part of everyday life for those in that country.

Additional Resource:

• Recipes: Cuisine from Around the World
  Embracing new, local foods with a host family or other friends is one of the first, best steps that Peace Corps Volunteers take toward becoming part of their overseas communities. Enjoy the magnificent recipes submitted by Peace Corps Volunteers and staff from all corners of the globe.

Procedures

1. Have the students look thru several periodicals and cut out photos of foods that they enjoy eating.
2. The students will be using these photos to create an art project such as a collage, mobile, etc. Which they can share and explain to the class.
3. The next step is to introduce your students to some of the very different things that people in other countries like to eat.
4. Have the students research on their own, or you research and present some of the national or traditional dishes from other countries. Some of these are:
• In Vanuatu the national dish is "Lap lap" which is grated yam, manioc and banana cooked in coconut cream.
• In Kenya the national dish is "Ugali" which is cornmeal hash.
• In the Ukraine the national dish is "Vareniki" which is potato or cheese dumplings.
• In Kazakhstan the national dish is "Besbarmak" which is mutton and horse meat with broth and pasta noodles.
5. Have the students create a menu of national dishes. This menu can include several national dishes or can be based on 1 country only.