Using Funds of Knowledge in an Ethnically Concentrated Classroom Environment to Teach Nutrition

ABSTRACT

The concept of funds of knowledge, as applied to an ethnically popular fruit, is the focus of this module. Teachers can use this concept to create contextually meaningful experiments that can contribute to a culturally relevant and more fully developed educational unit focusing on the science of nutrition and reflecting content Standards A and C. This module was designed for middle school science teachers who are working in multiethnic classroom environments. Lesson plans and compact quizzes that will help the instructor teach and assess a student's understanding of the basic food groups within the food pyramid are provided.

KEYWORDS:

• cultural funds of knowledge
• culture
• middle school
• nutrition