This lesson plan falls within Geography and Cultural Anthropology strands.

Understand the sources of diverse cultural influences on the types of food eaten in two Asian societies. Identify the typical foods and eating habits of the peoples of India and Vietnam; compare the influences of thought and religion on the food of these regions.

Author Carol Henderson writes, "To sit down to the ordinary fare eaten by rich and poor alike in a small [Asian] village is to touch many continents and historical moments." In some ways, the history of a nation can be told at the dinner table. Indian bread made from African millet might be served with red chilies from Central America; Chinese soy sauce flavors a stir-fry and might be followed by a French style pastry in Vietnam. Both India and Vietnam represent areas where Asia's and the world's foods, utensils, spices, and modes of preparation and consumption blended. Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist traditions have left their mark on eating customs. Regional differences often reflect the cultural and geographic diversity of the society.

2 class periods

• Student Activity Sheet
• Poster board
• 3-Column Table Graphic Organizer
• Multimedia Presentation Rubric

Students have the opportunity to write a Research Report (see Extension below)

How has the global exchange of goods and ideas affected the development of Indian and Vietnamese cuisine? What cultural factors influence the etiquette of serving and consuming food?

Present Information Students will create a poster presentation that depicts the cultural influences on the preparation, serving, and eating of various foods in India and Vietnam. Students will research ways in which trade and colonization influenced the types of food eaten in these societies.

Have students research these topics using the provided links. Encourage them to use the suggested graphic organizer as they read the articles.

Fishmongers at a periodic urban market, Ho Chi Minh City, southern Vietnam.

To start students thinking about the origins of food and eating customs in India and Vietnam, have them examine the photograph.

Key questions students should answer are:

• What does this photograph reveal about the eating habits of Vietnamese?
• What can you assume about the freshness of these fish?
• What can this picture tell us about the geography of Vietnam?

Distribute the Student Activity sheet. Tell students that they will research topics related to the following themes: global exchange of goods and ideas, religious influences on food, and historical experiences of colonization. Have students research three of the following topics.

• Types of food
• Mealtimes
• Vegetarianism
• Purification in preparation and eating
• Rituals involving food
• Urban or Rural setting

Have students work with partners and assign each group one of the countries. Tell students that they will create a poster explaining how these topics about food reflect the diversity of these societies, their secular and religious traditions, and their connection with other parts of the world. Remind students that in addition to presenting written information, their posters should include visual elements. Students will then present their posters to the class.

Use the Multimedia Presentation Rubric to assess students' performance.

Have students reflect on their performance and use the list of expectations to judge how well they met the criteria.

Ask students: What are the origins of the foods that you ate for dinner last night?

Have students use World Cultures Today to research and write a report on the impact of the Columbian Exchange on the foods of a particular region, such as Europe.

Alternative: Select a simple recipe from one of these cultures and have students prepare an example of these foods.