Steve Baker
CEP 811
Webquest Evaluation
The Lost Food Pyramid
Synopsis
 Audience – K-2 General Education health class.
Educational goals –
 Students are to gain knowledge of the food pyramid and understand what foods
go in each category. Students are also required to explain why eating foods from
the food group they are researching is important. For example, what nutrients do
they provide, how much of each food is necessary in a given day, etc.
 Students are given an opportunity to decide how a new food pyramid would look
if they created it. Each group has an opportunity to be creative and show how
they may make new food groups but are still required to promote healthy eating
habits.
Curriculum Standards – Health
 - Explain the importance of eating a variety of foods from all of the food groups.
 - Classify foods into the food groups.
 - Describe the characteristics of combination foods.
 - Describe the characteristics of foods and beverages that should be limited.
Strategies
 It was difficult to decide what instructional strategies are used, but based on the
website, I would have to say both deductive and inductive strategies are used.
The Nutrition Explorations website they go to gives them both rules and examples
of all the food groups. The students are given the definition of each food group,
but on the other hand they are also given examples.
 In addition, some scaffolding is used by providing students with necessary
information for the assignment on the internet. Students may or may not know
about various food groups, and the information provided in the websites gives the
students the necessary tools to complete the webquest.
How does it take advantage of technology?
This webquest takes advantage of technology by allowing students to quickly access
information that is closely related. They are given the opportunity to explore other parts
of the food pyramid and other food groups.
If the webquest was taken as a single serving assignment, this webquest probably could
be done if the teacher photocopied some information from the sites and gave it to the
children. However, using the website as an exploratory tool provides a great educational
experience for the students. There is so much more the site provides that inquisitive
students can explore. Students do have the opportunity to search within their assigned
food group, and additionally they can explore other food groups if they choose. There
are various activities and games students can play to enhance their learning of the food
groups.
Steve Baker
CEP 811
Webquest Evaluation
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This webquest has no real flaws in terms of connectivity. There are no broken
links or bad information. In fact, the links for each food group come from the
same website, which I think is a good thing, because the information should be
consistent.
The information is up to date, in fact the site was last updated on January 1st,
2009.
There is no official citation of sources, but the sources that are used are the links
within the webquest.
How could it be improved?
 The instructions call for four groups of 20. That’s a lot of students in the class
and each group. I think that might be a typo. I think four groups of five in a class
of 20 might be what Mrs. Briggs was trying set up.
 Rubric seems complicated and wordy. I think it would be too much for someone
in K-2 to understand. If the goal is to reach an audience K-2 I personally would
simplify it or gear it toward 3-5 or even 6-8.
 This webquest could be easily geared toward grades 3-5. Instead of having
students look for servings sizes for ages 4-8 there is a category for ages 9-13.
 Now that I think about it, based on the work that needs to be done, I would do this
webquest with grades 3-5 rather than K-2. I think it would be very difficult for a
5 or 6 year old to grasp this type of project.
 I like the creativeness the students have to put in to make another food pyramid. I
think we would see some unique presentations for different types of food groups.
Steve Baker
CEP 811
Webquest Evaluation
Screen shot
Link
http://teacherweb.com/IN/PNC/SBriggsWebQuest/index.html
Credit to authors
Sarah Briggs