General - Game Activity: Using Chopsticks
Summary: Students learn to use
chopsticks and play a game to improve skills. While this exercise
does not address a particular Minnesota Academic Standard, it provides
an activity to engage students in learning about an aspect of Chinese
culture and stimulates interest in learning more.
Subject Area Focus: General – Game Activity
Educational Level: Teachers may adapt the activity for the
various grade levels.
Primary, Intermediate
LEARNING ACTIVITY
Directions
Objectives:
- To learn how to handle chopsticks.
- To work on hand/eye coordination.
- To compare food traditions of different cultures, including
eating utensils.
Preparation:
- Obtain one set of chopsticks for each student. Write each student's
name on his or her chopsticks.
- For students who are unfamiliar with chopsticks, prepare each
set as follows: Roll up a tiny wad of paper about the size of
the eraser at the end of a pencil. Wrap a rubber band tightly
around the top end of a pair of chopsticks. Wedge the paper
wad between the sticks as close to the rubber band as possible.
This makes the chopsticks easier to use because they stay together
and the students are able to use them like tweezers to pick things
up.
- Prepare bowls of items to pick up with the chopsticks. Kidney
beans, popcorn, cereal or even small sponges or Legos will work.
Place the items in bowl with another empty bowl close by. Prepare
several stations or tables where students can work in small groups.
- Set a stopwatch and recording sheet at each station or have
students use the minute hand on the class clock.
Time Required: 20 minutes
Description
- Explain to whole class how chopsticks work and give them background
information. You might discuss the etiquette of using chopsticks.
Explain to the students the role of each group member: contestant,
timer, bean counter, recorder and observer.
- Have the students work in small groups. Each student takes
a turn using their chopsticks to move as many beans (or other
items) from one bowl to another in one minute (or 30 seconds).
Group members take turns being contestant, timer, bean counter,
observer and recorder.
- If there is time and interest have the groups change stations
to practice using chopsticks on other shapes and textures.
- You might like to prepare a chart for each child showing his
or her times using the various materials. Older children can
make their own charts. To extend into technology and mathematics
work, have students create and use spreadsheets to track their
times.
- Have a whole class discussion about using chopsticks. Questions
for discussion:
- Would you like to eat with chopsticks everyday?
- What would be some of the challenges of using chopsticks?
What would be some of the benefits?
Learning Resources: None
Printable Materials: None
Evidence of Learning: The following product(s) supply
evidence of student learning.
- Observation (chopstick use, hand/eye coordination, group work).
- Reflection/discussion.
Special Notes
Technology Integration:
Incorporate technology tools and resources in ways that enhance and
support teaching and learning.
Have students create and use spreadsheets to track their times.
Accommodations
Change the activity to accommodate students with different needs,
knowledge and skills.
Some students might need more time to master use of chopsticks. Encourage
them to practice. Repeat the activity over a series of days for them
to develop skills and confidence.
Extensions
Extend students' learning with additional activities.
- Identify the students who use chopsticks at home and involve
them in the planning. Have them work as a group when doing the
activity and highlight their times for the whole class to see.
Have them prepare a demonstration of how to use chopsticks to
eat rice, remove food from skewers or cut food such as tofu.
- Bring in a pair of cooking chopsticks to show the class.
- Encourage students to practice with chopsticks and eventually
remove the helping rubber band and paper.
- Have students use chopsticks for a week and express their observations
about using them.
Sources/Credits: Isabelle Hoag, International Classroom
Connection Program, Manager, Minnesota International Center: http://www.micglobe.org.
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