Crecia C. Swaim
Just as fast-food restaurants have modified their offerings to reflect local tastes, students will now create a Kid's Meal that represents their own culture. They will name the meal as well as all the individual components of the meal, and they will create a catchphrase to sell the meal. After seeing many different examples from the three restaurants we have been exploring, students will have an array of input to help them decide upon their own creation.
All websites should be provided on a sheet detailing the parameters of the project and the specific sites being used, to be signed by parents (so that way the kids aren't on Facebook saying that it is for French class, and parents are involved in what students are doing.) Provide enough class time to use computers so that students can get what they need if they have no computer access at home.
The project should be clearly laid out, and each part due in stages with the opportunity for constructive feedback.
After the meal, its components, and its catchphrase are determined, viewed, approved, and given feedback, students will create an image representation of the meal, like a poster advertisement or a single screenshot of an interactive website, that includes all the pertinent information, such as choice of items, cost, descriptions, sizes, and catchphrase.
Once that is created, viewed, approved, and given feedback, students will view each advertisement and rate their favorites according to the categories we have been using - Choice/Variety, Cost, Health, Advertising/Packaging, Toy, Quantity of Food – with the Overall score being tallied by adding all those scores up. Students will work in groups of three to four, so depending on how many students are in your class, do the math and select the appropriate number of winning advertisements. The students who created those advertisements will be team leaders. In regards to which students work with those team leaders, how you proceed will depend on the dynamics of each individual class. Although there are many ways to make those choices, by the teacher and by students, I will offer here one option that gives students choice without alienating anyone. Have team leaders write the names of one to two students they would and would not like to work with, giving reasons. Have other students do the same for team leaders. That night, read through the responses and create groupings.
These groups will create a commercial for their product. Students can perform it as a skit, film it, make a PowerPoint Slideshow, use a program such as Microsoft Photostory, etc. (13) The idea is to give students the freedom to use whatever resources and skills they have, while not penalizing anyone who doesn't have the same resources. Give students a rubric reflecting the type of work and practice done in your unit. To view the commercials, it would be fun to bring in some snacks if allowed, whether healthy options from McDonald's or Kentucky Fried Chicken or something that reflects French cuisine. The commercials should again be rated; perhaps the highest-scoring one wins a McDonald's lunch for its teammates.
