What's Included:
 
Food Desert Research and Solution Essay Prompt and Instructions
Food Desert Research and Solution Essay Rubric
Food Desert Research and Solution Essay Table of Specifications
 
Food Desert Research and Solution Essay Prompt:
The Food Desert Research and Solution Essay is a quantitative written response instrument scaled on a 16-point analytic rubric. This written response assessment requires students to demonstrate a number of higher order thinking skills. Students must select one of two task that they would like to research, analyze, and explain related to solutions for food deserts. They are instructed to write a five-paragraph essay that meets the requirements of each task.
 
Food Desert Research and Solution Essay Rubric:
The Food Desert Research and Solution Essay is a quantitative written response instrument scaled on a 16-point analytic rubric. The rubric clearly outlines how students will be scored in 4 categories: Reading Comprehension, Organization and Purpose, Evidence and Elaboration, and Conventions.
 
Food Desert Research and Solution Essay Table of Specifications:
Also included in this resource is a table of specifications. Elements of Blooms Taxonomy are incorporated in the table of specifications in order to classify the learning objectives into levels of complexity and specificity. The thinking skills utilized in this essay include apply, analyze, evaluate, and create. In The Food Desert Research and Solution Essay, the analytical higher order thinking skills are weighted more heavily. For example, the lower level thinking skill of application accounts for 25% of this assessment score, while analysis, evaluation, and creation skills account for the remaining 75% of the assessment grade. The Food Desert Research and Solution Essay asks students to extend their thinking and apply their higher order reasoning skills to come up with a solution to a problem. Specifically, in Task 2, students must present a resolution to food deserts. Students will demonstrate their reasoning in Task 1 by discussing a common good that a supermarket can bring a food desert community, with rationale. Students will demonstrate their reasoning in Task 2 by describing an alternative solution, other than a grocery store, and provide rationale for their solution. Students will be asked to explain what would have to happen in order to make the idea a reality, what costs would be associated with their solution, and why they think it would work in this community.
 
Essential Questions:
· How does our neighborhood influence the choices we make about our health?
· How would not having a grocery store near your home affect you?
· What criteria might supermarket chains use to decide where to build stores?
 
Aligned California State Standards:
2.1.N Evaluate internal and external influences that affect food choices.
2.2.N Assess personal barriers to healthy eating and physical activity.
2.5.N Analyze the impact of various influences, including the environment, on eating habits and attitudes toward weight management.
3.5.N Describe community programs and services that help people gain access to affordable, healthy foods.
8.1.N Advocate enhanced nutritional options in the school and community.
Total Pages
3 pages