We are going to meet with the school principal also to get these posters and individual art pieces hung in our school cafeteria. We also sold the posters to raise money for our school’s edible garden. She then assembled all of the pieces together into a single Food Rules Poster, and we had it printed as a holiday gift to the class families. She scanned in all of the student art and typed each rule onto each piece of art. I happened to have a super-parent who is an amazing graphic designer. Post Lesson: You have options with this lesson. If so, wait for the paint to dry before beginning. Some students may wish to outline their work. It is important to remind students to use bold color. After the outline drawing is complete, students can paint. Students should lightly draw their idea on the paper in pencil before beginning to use paint. Students then can do a more detailed sketch of their chosen idea.ĭay 2: Students receive a piece of watercolor paper (if your students have not used watercolor before, give them a couple of test sheets prior to the final piece to practice technique). The teacher walks around like the art director to each student and helps him or her choose the best sketch to make into a final piece. They have one hour to come up with five different designs to best portray their rule (no words allowed). Each student writes his or her rule at the top of a piece of scratch paper.

We discuss the bold colors, simple subject matter, simple composition, and humor. The class discusses the illustrative qualities of her work. Each student in the class will illustrate a different rule.ĭay 1: Students look at the artwork of Maira Kalman again. The teacher helps each student to get a top choice rule. Prep (a day or more before the lesson): Students are provided with a list of the 83 Food Rules. Many of the rules are based on science or can be used to lead into lessons in the upcoming Food Chemistry science unit.Ī fun way to celebrate the end of the book is by completing an art project. Elaborate on each rule and ask for clarification from students.

It is best to limit comments to two or three for each rule otherwise the book will take too long to finish. The read aloud lasts for 15 minutes each time. Teacher reads aloud from Michael Pollan’s Food Rules, preferably the illustrated edition by Maira Kalman. This unit was written for fourth grade, but can be taught for grades 3-5 with minor adjustments. The persuasive writing lessons are taught with the inspiration and direction of the Writer’s Workshop. All lessons in this unit can be considered mini-lessons, except the art lesson.

Overview: This unit is inspired by and based on the book Food Rules by Michael Pollan. Integrates persuasive writing, science, technology, public speaking, and art Inspired by Michael Pollan and Maira Kalman

Michael pollan 10 food rules