<p align=center><font size=5>Maria Cisneros<br>Teacher Education Portfolio</font></

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  1. Introduction to Education
    1. Philosophy
    2. Research
      1. PowerPoint
      2. References
    3. Critical Analysis
    4. Pro/Con Issue
    5. Final Reflection
  2. Cultural Diversity in Education
    1. Philosophy
    2. Research
      1. Research Paper
      2. References
      3. Handout
      4. "Model Minority" PowerPoint
    3. Critical Analysis
    4. Teaching Strategy
    5. Calendar
    6. Final Reflection
  3. Technology
    1. Philosophy of Technology
    2. PowerPoint
    3. Computer Science
    4. Internet Web
    5. Windows XP
      1. Resource Manual
    6. Great Education Links
    7. WebQuests
      1. Shark WebQuest
    8. Publisher
      1. Class Calendar
      2. Special Interest Group Flyer
      3. Classroom Newsletter
      4. Class Website
      5. Read-Aloud Brochure
      6. Publisher E-mail
  4. History
    1. Educational Plan
    2. Ranching Frontier PowerPoint
    3. Worksheets and Activities
    4. Materials Used
    5. Curriculum
  5. Theory of Elementary Math I & II
    1. Philosophy of Elementary Mathematics
    2. Service Learning Reflection (St. Anne Little Flower)
    3. Math Literature Lesson - Fractions
    4. Math Literature Lesson - How Much is a Million
    5. Temperature Conversion Team Lesson
    6. Placing the Value on Digits: An Internet Lesson
    7. Great Math Links
    8. Calculators
  6. Relationships in a Classroom Setting
    1. Philosophy
    2. Research
    3. Classroom Rules
    4. Within a Mile of Home: A Final Reflection
    5. Classroom Layout
    6. Classroom Newsletter and Chill Out Form
  7. Child Development
    1. Philosophy of Child Development
    2. History of Child Development
    3. Evaluation of a Toy
    4. Effects of Premature Birth
    5. Focusing on Cognitive Development
    6. Special Interest Group Proposal
    7. Concept of Whole Child
    8. Final Reflection
  8. Children's Literature
    1. Sparking a Love for Literature: A Children's Literature Philosophy
    2. Dear Meatball: A Service Learning Tale
    3. Literature Rich Classroom Layout
    4. Reading Aloud to Children
    5. Motivating Teachers to Motivate Students
    6. Literature Lessons
      1. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
      2. Yakov and the Seven Thieves
    7. Letter to Parents
  9. Introduction to Exceptional Learner
    1. Philosophy of Exceptional Learner
    2. Service Learning Reflection
    3. Computer Resource Manual
Home > Course Work > Introduction to Education > Pro/Con Issue

Pro/Con Issue

pizza.jpg Junk Food in Schools

The issue of junk food in schools is being widely debated.  School districts all over the country are looking at the amount of unhealthy food they are providing to their students.  The districts are trying to decide how to take junk food out of the schools with- out losing funds from vending machines and candy sales.  Junk food has been defined as, food with more than 40% added sugar, juice with less than 35% real juice, and items with 8 grams of fat or more per serving, (except seeds and nuts). Vending machines with candy, fried chips and soda are widely accessible to students throughout the school day.  Cafeteria breakfast and lunch programs leave much to be desired in terms of healthy food.  As the obesity rate increases among children we are forced to ask the question:  What can we do, as educators, to help decrease the obesity rate of our children?”
Omitting the junk food from schools will set a standard of good health and show students that educators care about what they are eating.  By eliminating soda, fried chips and candy from campuses, schools are making a pro-active choice to increase the health of its students.  Over fifteen percent of American children are clinically obese.  Obesity increases the chance of developing diseases like, Diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure just to name a few.  The decreased amount of junk food in schools will help children to focus and concentrate better.  Teachers have noticed that students go up on a sugar high and then come crashing down.  Taking junk food off the campuses will contribute to better health for the students and increase the children’s capacity to focus and grasp the material.
The downside to removing candy sales and junk food vending machines is that schools would lose a lot of funds that come from these sources.  Fund raisers are essential to the extracurricular activities in our schools.  Candy sales and vending machines provide the majority of funds for sports, clubs, equipment, supplies, activities and even coaches salaries.  Large soda corporations like Pepsi and Coke give money to the schools as incentive for having their machines on campus.  Taking vending machines out of the schools and not allowing clubs to sell candy on school property will have a detrimental effect on those programs.  Extracurricular activities are already struggling to stay afloat and the loss of funds could eliminate the programs.
We as educators have a choice to make.  Do we ignore the childhood obesity rate and future health problems in our children by allowing junk food to be sold on campus? In doing so, maintaining the extracurricular activities that are so important to a well rounded education?  Or, do we eliminate junk food sales on campus and see our important activities decline due to lack of funds?  
We have come to the conclusion that schools should not provide junk food to students.  Schools need to upgrade the quality of food that is served in the breakfast and lunch programs.  This would encourage students to eat the food that is provided.  
Removing vending machines would be detrimental to activity funds so schools should replace the junk food with healthier alternatives.  Healthier alternatives such as 100% juice, V8 and water should replace the soda.  Rice Krispy Treats, Goldfish, peanuts and Chex Mix should replace vending machine items.  Clubs need to stop selling candy on campus and find other fund raising alternatives.  Giving students healthier choices will encourage good health and prove to our children that we, as educators, truly care about what is best for them.

Junk Food PowerPoint

computer.jpg

The following link will take you to a powerpoint my group and I created on the issue of junk food in schools. Due to the use of fairly large graphics, please use your down arrow instead of your mouse when transitioning from slide to slide.
File Attachments:
  1. Junk Food.ppt Junk Food.ppt

Junk Food References

  • Borton, J & Robbins, L (2001), Junk food in   schools, National Conference of State Legislatures, Retrieved October 18, 2003, from, http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/health.htm
    This article discusses the issue of nutrition in schools.
  • Meeks, F (2003, Oct 8), Junk-food policy may take bite of revenue, Houston Chronicle, Retrieved, October 19, 2003, from, http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/thisweek/zone17/news/2144914
    This article focuses on how schools make profit off certain products.
  • Winter, G. (2001, Sep 9), Some states fight junk food sales in schools, Mercola.
    Retrieved, October 15, 2003, from,
    http://www.mercola.com/2001/sep/26/school_junk_food.htm
    This article focuses on banning all Junk Food in all schools.
  • Childhood obesity and the marketing of junk food in schools, Commercial Alert,
    Retrieved, October 16, 2003, from, www.commercialalert.org
    This article gives basic facts and basic statistics of how junk food has affected children in school.
  • Willi, D. (2003, March). Couch potato crisis. Instructor, v112(6), pp.20-21. Retrieved, October 21, 2003, from Wilsonweb.
    This article states specific facts on why junk food should be removed in schools.
  • Student health for higher achievement, (2003, January), The Education Digest, v68(5), pp54-70, Retrieved, October 22, 2003, from Wilsonweb.
    This article also states specific facts on why junk food should and should not be removed in class.
Author: Maria Cisneros
Last modified: 9/13/2005 1:35 PM (EST)