Lesson topic: "GM Foods:Frankenstain Food or a Miracle Solution for a Hungry Planet?"
The aim of the lesson:
While many view bioengineered crops (GMOs) as a promising innovation, there is controversy about their use. This lesson provides students with a brief overview of the technology. Different activities will allow students to be able to use appropriate vocabulary to identify and argue the potential benefits and risks of genetically modified food. The lesson is also designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn how to write in science, using scientific language in writing and discussion, and develop their speaking and listening skills.
The objectives of the lesson:
- to learn what modified foods are and where they come from
- to describe some of the ethical issues relating to genetic modification
- to identify some of the pros and cons of GM foods
Level: B1/B2
Grade: 10/11
Main skills: listening, reading, speaking
Lesson Plan
1. Lead-in. GM Foods
- I asked you to bring your favourite snacks and drinks to the lesson.
- Why do you like them? (Students' answers - tasty, a comfortable pack, can satisfy hunger and thirst very quickly …)
- What factors influence your food choices when you go to the supermarket?
- Do you pay attention to the nutrition facts on the food labels?
- What role does safety play in your choice?
- On my last trip to the grocery store my friend's little daughter noticed some food products that were labeled "Made with Non-GMO ingredients." What does this mean? What are GMOs? (GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism). What is a genetically modified organism? Usually it's just shortened to GM when mentioned in relation to food.
- Why do so many people find GMOs controversial?
- So, what do you think we are going to learn in this lesson? (GM Food: Pros and Cons)
- The topic of our lesson: "GM Food: Frankenstain Food or a Miracle Solution for a Hungry Planet?"
- The objectives of the lesson:
- to learn what modified foods are and where they come from
- to describe some of the ethical issues relating to genetic modification
- to identify some of the pros and cons of GM foods
- To begin with, let's activate your prior knowledge on the topic of the lesson. What do you already know about GM foods? (Students' answers.)
- Please, copy the ideas discussed onto the first column of the KWL chart. (Appendix 1)
- Let's watch a video with a brief summary of this phenomenon. (Appendix 2)
- What do you want to know? Complete the second column.
- As for the third column "I've learnt", you'll complete it at the end of the lesson.
2. RNE: word formation
- Let's begin with an exam-oriented task. Complete the text with the derivatives from the words in brackets. (Appendix 3)
Genetically modified foods are foods derived from genetically modified organisms, such as genetically modified crops or genetically modified fish. GM crops are developed by changing a plant's (1. gene)__________________ structure in order to help the plant resist against diseases caused by insects or viruses or to produce larger crops. (2.Scienсe)_____________ first discovered that DNA can transfer between organisms in 1946. The first genetically modified plant was produced in 1983.
There are (3.controverse)___________ around GM food. There is no scientific (4.conclude)_____________ so far to prove its (5. safe)____________ for human consumption. Producers of genetically modified food say that it has a number of advantages in terms of price, durability and (6. nutrition)________________ value. They claim that there is no risk to human health. There are also some (7. support)____________ that see GM crops as providing benefits to the environment through a (8. reduce) _________________in the use of pesticides.
The European Union, Australia, China and other countries require GMO labeling. Such labeling is not required in the United States and in Russia, although possible side effects connected with the use of GM products have not been studied.
- Compare your answers with your partners' answers. Now let's check them together.
(Check the students' answers)
3. Vocabulary and listening practice
- There are clearly two very different viewpoints when it comes to the health and safety of genetically engineered food - industry leaders and scientists who support GMOs and those who believe GMOs are harmful.
- We'll listen to two students talking about genetically modified foods. Frank is for GM food and his friend Ann is against it. Before you hear their conversation match the words and phrases in the table to their definitions. (Appendix 4, 5)
- Compare your answers with your partners' answers. Now let's check them together.
(Check students' answers)
- Now listen to their conversation and decide whether these statements are true or false.
(Check the answers) (Appendix 6)
4. Speaking
- Genetic modification is not only a controversial topic but an ethical issue as well. What would you do in the following situations? (Appendix 7)
Group 1
- You are tomato farmers whose crops are threatened by a persistent species of beetle. Each year, you spend large sums of money for pesticides to protect your crops. A biotechnology company introduces a new strain of tomato plant that produces a natural pesticide, making it resistant to the beetle. By switching to this new strain, you could avoid both the beetle and the chemical pesticides traditionally needed to fight it.
Group 2
- As family physicians, you often treat children who suffer from infectious diseases that could easily be prevented through vaccination. But the parents of many of your patients cannot afford the cost of vaccinations. You hear of a new approach that would reduce the cost to a fraction of its current price: genetically modified fruits and vegetables that contain various vaccines. By simply eating a banana, a child could be protected against disease without getting a shot!
Group 3
- You are the leaders of a developing nation. Hunger is a problem among your citizens: the salty coastal wetlands of your country can't support the growth of needed crops, and your slow economy can't support importing enough food for everyone. A biotechnology company has genetically modified a rice plant that can thrive in salt water, providing your nation with the opportunity to feed its citizens while bolstering its economy.
The teacher's comment:
- Our ability to manipulate plants by introducing new genes promises innovative solutions to these and many other real-world problems. Yet there is considerable opposition to the use of genetically modified plants for food production and other uses.
5. Teamwork. Analyzing pros and cons of GM foods
- And now let me open our mock legislative session. The main item on the agenda is GM foods.
- You will be split into two groups. The two groups will assume the role of legislators debating a bill that would ban GM foods, with one group taking on the pro-GMO argument, and the other group taking on the anti-GMO argument.
- You will work with this Fact File. (Appendix 8) You need to do research so you can formulate well-reasoned arguments that are supported by facts and examples.
- Now let's take a quick poll and ask our guests to raise their hands if they find Pro-GMO arguments convincing. Which of you would ban a bill on GMO?
- But where may there be a solution? (In the middle - labeling food items that contain GMOs and keeping a tight grip on obeying this law.)
- Here is what the man in the video we're going to watch appeals to. (Appendix 9)
- What is the situation with regard to GM foods in our country?
- The 17th of April is the Day of Actions against GM foods. It's up to you to decide to join "Anti-GMO movement" or not.
6. Reflection. Evaluation. Home assignment
- Have you changed your mind on GM foods throughout the activities?
- Has your decision been influenced by your classmates, the articles, other media or other evidence?
- What should we base our decisions upon?
- Should we always believe the claims made by others?
- Do you remember that at the beginning of the lesson we've completed only the first two columns of the KWL Chart. So, write the things that you've learned today.
- All your ideas will contribute to your homework. At home you are to write an essay on the problem of our lesson: "GM food producers should voluntarily label their GM foods. What is your opinion?"