Learning From the News – Junk Food ‘Lowers IQ’
Lesson plan – Junk Food Lowers IQ: PSHE and Design and Technology
Falafel burgers and potato wedges recipe
Useful links and Teachers TV links
KS3
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Lesson Plan: Junk Food ‘Lowers IQ’
Lesson overview: Pupils will learn to make a healthy version of burger and chips
Key Stage 3 PSHE: Healthy lifestyles
Key Stage 3 Design and Technology: Food technology
Objectives
Outcomes
Pupils will learn:
Pupils should:
 that healthy lifestyles, and the wellbeing of self and others, depend  learn to cook a
on information and making responsible choices (PSHE 2.1a)
simple recipe, while
understanding what
 a broad range of practical skills, techniques, equipment and
makes food healthy
standard recipes (Design and Technology, f)
Resources
 Video lesson starter: http://www.teachers.tv/videos/junk-food-lowers-iq
 A whiteboard to show the video on
 A kitchen, equipment and the ingredients from the recipe on page 2 of this lesson plan
Starter
 Whole class activity: Show the video http://www.teachers.tv/videos/junk-food-lowers-iq
 While they are watching, ask the pupils to write down three key facts
 Discuss the video and ask them: Who undertook that study? What did they find? How
persuaded are you by the findings?
 Talk about what makes a healthy meal. Do they think a burger and chips is healthy? Talk
about how it usually isn’t because of the quality of the ingredients used and because the
chips are fried in oil. In a leading fast food chain, a burger and chips can be anywhere
between 1000-1500 calories. Say you’re going to make a delicious, healthy alternative to a
burger and chips – a falafel burger with potato wedges – which is approximately 200
calories!
Main activity 1
 Whole class activity: Cook the recipe on page 2 of this lesson plan. It makes enough for
four pupils – so you can have them working in groups four to make this if you like – or just
divide each recipe by four
Plenary
 Whole class activity: Ask the pupils to rate the falafel burgers compared to McDonald’s
burgers. They’re healthier – but are they tastier?
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Falafel burger and potato wedges
Ingredients
 400g can of chickpeas, drained
 Garlic clove, chopped
 Fresh coriander, chopped
 1tsp ground cumin
 1tsp ground coriander
 1tsp paprika
 25g plain flour (plus more for dusting)
 Drizzle of olive oil for frying the burgers
For the potato wedges:
 4 baking potatoes cut into wedges
 1tbsp olive oil
To serve:
 Four wholemeal pitta breads
 Tomatoes, chopped
Method
 Heat the oven to 200 degrees centigrade. When it’s hot, put the potato wedges
on a baking tray with the oil, give them a shake and put them in the oven. Leave
them in for about 20 minutes, or until they’re starting to brown. Shake them half
way through.
 Meanwhile, in a blender or a mixing bowl, combine the chickpeas, garlic, fresh
coriander, ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika and plain flour.
 Shape the falafels into four balls. If they’re too sticky, add more flour.
 Heat a bit of oil in a frying pan and then put the four falafels in. Cook for about 4
minutes on each side.
 Serve inside the toasted pitta, with a few slices of chopped tomato on top and the
wedges on the side.
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Useful links

Healthy recipes from Channel 4 Food:
http://www.channel4.com/food/recipes/healthy/

Schoolsnet design and technology food lesson example:
http://www.schoolsnet.com/pls/hot_school/sn_lessons.page_pls_lesson_detail?x
=16180339&p_lesson_id=82&p_res_type_id=15

The Design and Technology Association’s website: http://www.data.org.uk/
Related Teachers TV Videos

http://www.teachers.tv/videos/ks3-food-technology-55-minutes

http://www.teachers.tv/videos/ks3-food-technology-st-peter-summer-roast

http://www.teachers.tv/videos/ks3-ks4-food-technology-learning-to-cook-atfolkestone-academy
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