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Lesson 1

We will begin to address the subtopic question: Are new technologies, such as indoor urban agriculture and vertical farming, viable solutions to sustaining a global food system? We will learn about new technologies and innovations that have developed as a response to the challenge of sustainably feeding a growing global population by listening to an interview with a journalist who discusses what food might look like in the future. We will analyze some of the major challenges discussed in the interview as well as possible solutions.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I express an accurate understanding of the central ideas brought up in the interview of Amanda Little by NPR host Terry Gross?

  • Can I pay attention to and acknowledge the discussion taking place in the interview, while thoughtfully considering the ideas that the speakers are presenting?

Texts

Core

  • Digital Access
    • “‘Fate of Food’ Asks: What’s for Dinner in a Hotter, Drier, More Crowded World?,” Terry Gross, Fresh Air, National Public Radio, 2019

Materials

Tools

Question Sets

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Listen – Write

We will listen to “‘Fate Of Food’ Asks: What’s For Dinner In A Hotter, Drier, More Crowded World?” an interview of environmental journalist amanda little by Terry Gross.

As a class, listen to the 35-minute interview between NPR interviewer Terry Gross and environmental journalist Amanda Little, who discusses topics from her book The Fate of Food: What We'll Eat In A Bigger, Hotter, Smarter World, which focuses on new food technologies and solutions to food system challenges.

As you listen to the interview, consider the following guiding questions:

  1. What was the most compelling idea or argument discussed about the future of food?

  2. What are some challenges Little addresses? Have we discussed these challenges in the unit? Is there one challenge that seems most pressing?

  3. What are some potential solutions to the challenges facing the food system Little discusses in her interview?

  4. What questions would you ask Little about the future of food systems?

  5. What new or interesting words can you add to your Vocabulary Journal?

After listening and thinking about these questions, draft your own text-specific question you can use in a discussion with other students.

Activity 2: Discuss – Write

We will discuss some of the major issues and challenges addressed in the interview, as well as the potential solutions that were proposed.

In pairs or small groups, discuss your answers to the guiding questions from Activity 1.

Then, draft your own text-specific question that you can use in a fishbowl discussion with other students in the next lesson.