Learning task 2
Vocabulary tasks- Monsanto text
Information transfer task
Read the article GM industry falling apart worldwide (The New Zealand Herald website). Complete the information transfer chart . The teacher models the process to encourage students using their own words. Students write the first one and then share with the rest of the class. If a large class then students should share with each other. Students complete the other two and then share what they have written with their neighbour.
There are many online texts on GM foods. Find two or three that suit the language needs of your students and ask them to list the arguments for or against and then share with a neighbour.
Whole class discussion of arguments for and against GM foods.
Internet research task
Give each student a copy of either the Monsanto internet task (35 kB),
Organic Gardening Internet Task (Word 28KB)
, or
Potato Farmer Internet Task (Word 31KB)
(electronic or hard copy). Complete the tasks (see Resources for URLs) then re-group the class into groups of three so that there is one potato farmer, one organic farmer, and a sales person from Monsanto in each group. Each person reports on their own findings, followed by group discussion of the three perspectives. Whole class discussion on findings.
Say it task
The internet research task must be completed prior to this task.
- Group students into pairs. Give one Say it scenario out to each pair:
-
Monsanto Say it scenario
You are employed as sales people for Monsanto Seed Company and get paid a really big commission if you sell genetically modified seeds. It is your job to promote the benefits of GM seeds. What will you say?
-
Organic gardener Say it scenario
You have an organic gardening business. You are against genetically modified food products. You heard that your neighbour who lives 5 km away is thinking of growing a genetically modified potato crop. You are extremely worried that cross pollination will occur and your crops will become contaminated. What arguments will you produce against GM crops?
-
Potato farmer Say it scenario
You have been growing potato crops for years but last year was a bad season. You lost a lot of the crop through potato rot and did not make much money. You are very worried about this. You found information on a web site about how this problem could be controlled and want to know more. What will you say about your situation? What questions will you ask the sales people?
- Allow response time for students to work out together what to say. Students give responses in pairs.
- Depending upon results, it may be possible to repeat the activity immediately allowing students a second chance to respond.
Updated on: 21 Mar 2018
