Opening an Hispanic restaurant

This lesson focuses on vocabulary and currency associated with food, restaurants, and menus. Students conduct research to create an authentic menu with a companion recipe books. The lesson culminates in short presentations and food samples.

A lesson plan for grades 9–12 Second Languages

By Susan Canipe

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Related topics

• Learn more about cultural awareness and second languages.

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

• learn vocabulary associated with restaurants
• become familiar with authentic cuisine from hispanic countries
• know the value and name of another currency
learn how to develop a powerpoint presentation

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

7 days

Materials/resources

• menus from existing Hispanic restaurants
• authentic cookbooks
• research resources such as encyclopedias, books on countries
• maps of Hispanic countries and Europe

Technology resources

• computer with internet connection
• LCD projector

Pre-activities

Class will:

• brainstorm a list of Spanish-speaking countries
• make a list of foods found in Hispanic restaurants
• make a list of all known currencies used in Spanish-speaking countries
• review known vocabulary associated with foods, restaurants, and menus

Activities

1. Students are challenged to open a new international restaurant in Kings Mountain (or your location). To do so, they will choose a country and research existing restaurants from that country.
2. After choosing a country, they will do their research using the internet, encyclopedias, resource books, menus, etc. to find native dishes from that country, currency used in that country, prices of typical meals, exchange rate to U.S. dollars, and what currency looks like.
3. After researching information, students will design their own restaurant, which will include the restaurant name and logo and menu cover design (in Spanish).
4. Menu must include at least five appetizers, five side items, five entrees, three desserts, and drinks that are served.
5. The menu must include prices (using country’s currency), descriptions of food and what types of payment will be taken.
6. Students will need to include a list of supplies to start the restaurant. This should include the foods you need to prepare all items on the menu and different materials you need to serve the meals.
7. Students must also include a recipe book for their menu. The recipe book will include one recipe from each category listed on the menu composed in Spanish.
8. This will be combined into a portfolio to be turned in as well as one food item from the menu to be served to class.
9. Students prepare a Powerpoint presentation to present research findings to the class in Spanish. Requirements:
   • Presentation includes at least five slides including front cover and inside of menu, picture of currency, pictures of food from menu and interior of restaurant.
   • Presentation must last at least three minutes.
   • Teacher asks presenter basic questions about information presented and student responds appropriately in Spanish.
10. After each presentation, teacher will ask the rest of class questions in Spanish such as:
    • What is your favorite food from the menu? Why?
    • Do you think the restaurant is too expensive? Why/why not?
    • How much would your meal cost at this restaurant in foreign currency and U.S. currency?
    • Is this restaurant attractive? Why/why not?

Sample Timeline:

• Day 1: Brainstorm and project requirements
• Day 2 and 3: Internet research
• Day 4: Practice presentation with LCD equipment and put finishing touches on presentation and research.
• Day 5 and 6: Presentations
• Day 7: Bring sample foods to class from restaurant.

Assessment

The project will consist of three grades:

• One grade based on research and Powerpoint presentation. Teacher is looking for thorough research, time, and energy put into Powerpoint.
• Second grade will be based on oral presentation (enthusiasm, creativity and knowledge of vocabulary and country researched) and answers to questions presented by teacher.
• Portfolio of project.

Supplemental information

Comments

Students always enjoy sampling new foods and in order to make it a relevant lesson, students also learned currency, regional cuisines, used technology and how to prepare recipes from various countries.