1) Pasta Origins The first two things that come to mind when most people think of pasta are spaghetti and Italians. But there are many different types of pasta, from acini to ziti. What’s more, pasta’s origins don’t lie in Italy. Pasta has its origins in China where it was allegedly “discovered” for Europeans by Marco Polo. Pasta quickly gained popularity and started evolving into different … Continue reading 5 Ways to Celebrate National Pasta Day!
‘Tis the season of All Hallows Eve(n). Did you know that the holiday name “Hallowe’en” comes from the Old English phrase “All Hallows Evening?” ” E’en is a shortened form of “even,” which is an abbreviation of “evening.” The commercialization of holidays often means that their historic and geographic origins all but disappear from the public consciousness … spooky! So channel your inner Jack-o-Lantern and … Continue reading Five Fun Ways to Teach Halloween … Geographically!
HEALTH One of the world’s most important food crops may be declining in quality due to greenhouse gas emissions. (Scientific American) Where is rice a staple food? Use our resources to find out. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit, including today’s MapMaker Interactive map of rice-producing nations. Discussion Ideas The nutritional value of rice may fall as … Continue reading As Carbon Dioxide Levels Rise, Rice Becomes Less Nutritious
HEALTH Scientists studied more than 1,000 raw foods, assigning each a nutritional fitness score. The higher the score, the more likely each food would meet your daily nutritional needs when eaten in combination with other foods. A great BBC graphic! (BBC) Nutrition? What is nutrition? Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas The great BBC graphic … Continue reading What Are the World’s Most Nutritious Foods?
WORLD Why do we kiss under mistletoe and toast with eggnog? Who decided we should eat jelly doughnuts for Hanukkah? And where do poinsettias come from? (NPR) What activities or characteristics help define a culture? Use our fun gallery to find out. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas Jelly doughnuts are a Hanukkah treat. What … Continue reading Why We Kiss Under Mistletoe And Toast With Eggnog
