EATING CARROTS CAN IMPROVE YOUR EYESIGHT, FACT OR FICTION?

Do carrots really help you see in the dark? Did your mother ever threaten that you will need glasses if you didn’t eat your carrots? Well, although you may have eaten your carrots, her motivational tactics were questionable. 

If you were following a generally balanced diet, then those extra carrots had no affect on your vision. The connection does make sense, though. Carrots contain beta-carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A, and vitamin A is important for healthy eyesight. However, only a small amount is needed to maintain good vision. Foods that are high in beta-carotene and vitamin A will only impact your vision if your body is deficient in vitamin A.

Standard, well-balanced diets in the developed world generally contain a sufficient amount of vitamin A, and eating more carrots will not make a big enough difference to affect eyesight.

Humans are unable to synthesise vitamin A afresh and, therefore, must take it in through their diet to maintain normal visual function. Vitamin A can be found in a range of meats and vegetables – the most notable being the carrot, though the best source is probably liver.

During World War II, the British Royal Air Force invented the myth tying carrots to clear, sharp vision as a way to explain the sudden increase in Nazi bombers being shot down. Flight Lieutenant John Cunningham, nicknamed ”Cats Eyes” for his incredible ability to shoot down enemy planes, had a natural love for carrots. A disinformation campaign spread the rumor that British fighter pilots were eating carrots to improve their vision, when in reality the British had a new radar system they wanted to keep secret from Germany. The story caught on though, and it remains popular to this day. But although there is a grain of truth to the claim, most people will not experience positive changes in their vision from eating carrots unless they have a vitamin A deficiency.

By Sonia Marañón

CHRISTMAS

1.-Introducción

Uno de los alumnos de clase, de origen británico, va a mostrar a sus compañeros comida tradicional en Navidad. A través de esta actividad, los alumnos de 1ºeso van a aprender algo sobre las costumbres navideñas de los británicos.

2.- Objetivos

- Conocer nuevos aspectos sobre la Navidad en el Reino Unido.
-  Conocer distintas tradiciones culturales y más concretamente gastronómicas.
- Aprender vocabulario relacionado con la comida y la Navidad.
-  Ampliar sus conocimientos a través de compañeros de clase cuya lengua y cultura tienen que ver con el idioma que los alumnos están aprendiendo.

3.-Competencias

- Competencia lingüística.
- Competencia social y ciudadana.
- Competencia artística.
- Competencia de aprender a aprender.
- Competencia de uso de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación.

4.- ¿En qué consiste la actividad?

Uno de los alumnos de clase, de origen británico, habla a sus compañeros sobre algunas tradiciones gastronómicas de su país en Navidad. El alumno explica cómo se celebra la Navidad en sus país y nos habla de las similitudes y diferencias entre la Navidad en España y el Reino Unido. Entre algunas de las diferencias señala la celebración de la cabalgata de los Reyes Magos que tiene lugar en España pero no en el Reino Unido.
Mediante una lluvia de ideas el alumno va a hacer que todos los compañeros de clase recuerden vocabulario que ya conocen y a continuación va a dar a conocer términos nuevos para que puedan comprender la información que va a mostrar en la pantalla a través de su proyecto. Los alumnos interactúan en inglés mediante preguntas y respuestas.  

Ver trabajo

By Sonia Marañón

Estadística y gastronomía en 3º de ESO.

1.- Introducción

Esta entrada pretende acercar al alumnado a algunos conceptos estadísticos a través de un proyecto relaccionado con la gastronomía. 

2.- Objetivos

• Practicar los contenidos teóricos estadísticos explicados en clase
• Usar una hoja de cálculo para llevar a cabo cálculos estadísticos
• Llevar a cabo proyectos que requieren la colaboración entre los alumnos participantes

3.- Contenidos 

• Realización de encuestas 
• Realizar tablas de frecuencias a partir de los datos recogidos
• Cálculo de parámetros de centralización
• Cálculo de parámetros de dispersión
• Diseño de gráficas estadísticas
• Conclusiones de un estudio estadístico
• Uso de una hoja de cálculo para realizar un estudio estadístico

4.- ¿En qué consiste?

La actividad se basa en realizar un estudio estadístico a partir de un proyecto relacionado con la gastronomía y que sirve como excusa para practicar lo explicado en clase.

Enunciado de la actividad Ver  

Trabajos de los/as alumnos/as:

• Trabajo1 Eva, Lydia y Virginia Ver
• Trabajo2: Alfonso, Estela, Álvaro, Celia y Manuel Ver   
• Trabajo3: Elena, José Vicente y Lorena Ver 
• Trabajo4: Fran, Jorge, Miguel, Víctor Ver

Songs with foods in their lyrics B2 Level

Topic/Task: Songs with foods in their lyrics

Portfolio task: Interculturality through listening.

http://www.oapee.es/e-pel/

You will evaluate your linguistic competence in a skill: listening. This activity is prepared for a B2 level-

The specific learning goals you have to get,  related to interculturality  are:

Having interest in the details of other cultures, such as daily life (food, drink, festivals, etc.)

Being tolerant with a different culture, regardless of your own moral and ethic convictions.

Promoting interest and respect to different eating habits.

Listening

General descriptor B2

Provided they speak slowly and clearly, and the sound quality is very good...

I can understand extended speech and lectures and follow even complex lines of thought provided the topic is reasonably familiar. I can understand most TV news and current affairs programmes. I can understand the majority of films in standard dialect.

Specific descriptor:

I can understand most radio programmes such as news, interviews, songs, or sports commentaries and identify the speaker's tone, mood, etc.

Descriptors of interculturality

Reflect with the help of these descriptors about your intercultural competence and what you can do to improve it. We enhance in red the two descriptors you need to evaluate in this task. All the portfolio , and as a consequence , the intercultural reflection is presented as  a process,  which may include your changes as you grow older and get to know other cultures. So, remember to write the date. Activities The activities with the song are suggested for two different levels: A2 students may go through the listening, but also with the teacher´s guidance can have a reflection in their own mother language. Advanced students may also go through the listening, but the reflection process should be in English. Activity for B2 students: Listen and complete the missing parts of the song: . http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=n6Jds2NURkc Cheeseburger in Paradise Jimmy Buffet Tried To ------------My --------------Habits Made It Nearly Seventy Days, ------------ ---------Without Speed, Eatin' Sunflower Seeds, Drinkin' Lots Of --------- -----------And Soakin' Up Rays But At Night I'd Have These ------------- ---------------- Some Kind Of Sensuous Treat Not--------------, Fettuccini, Or Bulgur----------------, But A Big Warm Bun And A Huge Hunk Of ---------------- Cheeseburger Is Paradise ----------- -------- -------------With An ---------- ---------- Not Too Particular, Not Too ------------ I'm Just A --------------------In Paradise I Like Mine With ----------------And--------------------, Heinz Fifty-seven And -----------    -----------------   ------------- Big Kosher Pickle And A Cold Draft Beer Well, Good God Almighty, Which Way Do I Steer For My --------------------In Paradise Heard About The Old Time Sailor Men, They Eat The Same Thing Again And Again Warm --------------And ------------They Say Could Raise The Dead Well, It --------- ---------- -----------The Menu At A Holiday Inn But Times Have Changed For Sailors These Days When I'm In Port I Get What I Need Not Just Havanas Or --------------Or----------------------, But That American Creation On----------- ------- --------! Cheeseburger Is Paradise ------------ ----------------------With ---------------Be Nice Not Too Particular, Not Too Precise I'm Just A ------------------In Paradise I Like Mine With Lettuce And Tomato Heinz 57 And ---------------  ------------------  ---------------- Big Kosher Pickle And A Cold ------------   ----------------- Well, Good God Almighty Which Way Do I Steer For A Cheeseburger In Paradise Makin' The Best Of Every Virtue And Vice Worth Every ---------- -------------Of Sacrifice To Get A Cheeseburger In Paradise To Be A Cheeseburger In Paradise I'm Just A Cheeseburger In Paradise 2. Work on colloquial expressions. Find and translate them. 3. Notice the influence of famous brands all over the world. 4. Find in the song details of other cultures, such as daily life (food, drink…) 5. Promote tolerance to a different culture though a final reflection. We suggest going through the reflection included in the activities for the A1 students, but it should obviously be done in English. What is the most typical American food according to the song? And in your opinion? What is the most typical food in your own country? Ask several partners. Do they all agree? Is there any influence of culture in the taste for foods? Which food do you think is the most popular in the world? From which country does it come from? Do you like foods from other countries? Which ones? Do you think these foods are better/ worse that the ones in your country or they are just different? To finish the activity we suggest a final personal reflection in English. We include the link of some other Songs with foods in their lyrics http://www.dailyfork.com/2009/06/15_food_related_song_lyrics.php?page=2 By María Caballero

Songs with foods in their lyrics A2 level

Topic/Task: Songs with foods in their lyrics

Portfolio task: Interculturality through listening.

http://www.oapee.es/e-pel/

You will evaluate your linguistic competence in a skill: listening. This activity is prepared for a A2 level

The specific learning goals you have to get,  related to interculturality  are:

Having interest in the details of other cultures, such as daily life (food, drink, festivals, etc.)

Being tolerant with a different culture, regardless of your own moral and ethic convictions.

Promoting interest and respect to different eating habits.

Listening

General descriptor A2

Provided they speak slowly and clearly, and the sound quality is very good...

I can understand phrases and the highest frequency vocabulary related to areas of most immediate personal relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local area, employment). I can catch the main point in short, clear, simple messages and announcements.

Specific descriptor:

I can understand some parts of songs I listen to on the radio or TV.

Descriptors of interculturality

Reflect with the help of these descriptors about your intercultural competence and what you can do to improve it.We enhance in red the two descriptors you need to evaluate in this task. All the portfolio , and as a consequence , the intercultural reflection is presented as  a process,  which may include your changes as you grow older and get to know other cultures. So, remember to write the date.

Activities:

The activities with the song are suggested for two different levels:

A2 students may go through the listening, but also with the teacher´s guidance can have a reflection in their own mother language.

Advanced students may also go through the listening, but the reflection process should be in English.

• Activity for the lowest level:

1. Listen and complete the missing parts of the song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=n6Jds2NURkc

.

Cheeseburger in Paradise Jimmy Buffet Tried To Amend My Carnivorous Habits Made It Nearly Seventy Days, Losin' Weight Without Speed, Eatin' Sunflower Seeds, Drinkin' Lots Of Carrot Juice And Soakin' Up Rays But At Night I'd Have These Wonderful Dreams Some Kind Of Sensuous Treat Not--------------, Fettuccini, Or Bulgur----------------, But A Big Warm Bun And A Huge Hunk Of ---------------- Cheeseburger Is Paradise Heaven On Earth With An Onion Slice Not Too Particular, Not Too Precise I'm Just A --------------------In Paradise I Like Mine With ----------------And--------------------, Heinz Fifty-seven And -----------    -----------------   ------------- Big Kosher Pickle And A Cold Draft Beer Well, Good God Almighty, Which Way Do I Steer For My --------------------In Paradise Heard About The Old Time Sailor Men, They Eat The Same Thing Again And Again Warm --------------And ------------They Say Could Raise The Dead Well, It Reminds Me Of The Menu At A Holiday Inn But Times Have Changed For Sailors These Days When I'm In Port I Get What I Need Not Just Havanas Or --------------Or----------------------, But That American Creation On Which I Feed! Cheeseburger Is Paradise Medium Rare With ---------------Be Nice Not Too Particular, Not Too Precise I'm Just A ------------------In Paradise I Like Mine With Lettuce And Tomato Heinz 57 And ---------------  ------------------  ---------------- Big Kosher Pickle And A Cold ------------   ----------------- Well, Good God Almighty Which Way Do I Steer For A Cheeseburger In Paradise Makin' The Best Of Every Virtue And Vice Worth Every Damn Bit Of Sacrifice To Get A Cheeseburger In Paradise To Be A Cheeseburger In Paradise I'm Just A Cheeseburger In Paradise

2. Suggested reflection:

Before answering the questions read the translation of the song in your own language. 


We include the Lyrics and the Spanish version 

Answer the following questions:

1. What is the most typical American food according to the song?
2. What is the most typical food in your own country? Ask several partners. Do they all agree?
3. Do all the people in a country like the same foods?
4. Do you like foods from other countries? Which ones? Do you think these foods are better/ worse that the ones in your country or they are just different?
5. Which food do you think is the most popular in the world? From which country does it come from?

 Evaluation

By María Caballero Cobos