Students Take Charge #13
Have you ever known a teacher to give a research assignment during Thanksgiving dinner?
TEACHER: This research assignment was discovered when my mom and I went to visit a camel, Issy. He lived in a pasture in Washington near a town where my family had lived. We took carrots to feed Issy. He was a friendly camel who didn't spit on people, so he participated in Christmas pageants. Issy swas lying under his tree. We went to the fence and waved our carrots while calling to him, but he was too busy to get up. Trusting he was friendly, I climbed over the fence and approached his tree. He paid no attention to me or my carrots. When I could see him well, I stopped in respect. He was busy chewing his cud. I watched each cud travel up his neck, be chewed, swallowed and travel back down. Then I started to count the number of chews he gave each cud; 39, 39, 40, 39, 38, 39, 41 o-o-o, there must have been a sticker in that cud. I tossed the carrots into the pasture and headed back to Porterville.
In the animal barn at the fairgrounds, a cow was chewing her cud. I counted 39 chews. Had she been talking to Issy? The goat near her was chewing his cud. His jaw moved so fast, I almost lost count. After 72 chews, he swallowed; and after 3 more cuds, I was exhausted.
A horse in Springville chewed a carrot 39 times and swallowed. What's up with these animals? Then there's my chubby dog who doesn't even chew. He just gulps his food down. At a wedding reception or restaurant, I sometimes notice people who carry extra weight chewing nowhere near 39 times.
My research hypothesis is:
“Lose your weight at your plate;
Chew your food until it's late.
Move your muscles, there's a law;
Not your legs, move your jaw.
Don't keep talking like you do;
Close your mouth and start to chew.
Teach your taste buds how to savor;
Bathe them in the yummy flavor.
When you swallow only juice;
Your oversized pants will feel loose."
The assignment: Start practicing your observation skills. Count the number of times someone chews each bite, but don't stare at them. They'll feel nervous and ask why you're watching. Everyone will hear and your research will be ruined. Become good at being sneaky.
1. Picking a person who is sitting farther away from you.
2. Notice which food they put in their mouth and count the number of times they chew.
3. Take the same food from your plate and chew the same number of times. Note how that food feels going down your throat. How do you like the way it feels?
4. Observe young people, adults, men and women and note their body's size and shape.
5. Compare the variations in people's bodies to the number of times they chew.
6. When you're finished, you can reveal your research if you want. Be careful not to hurt anyone's feelings. Keep it light and fun or don't say anything at all.
STUDENT: For this assignment, my first victim was my Grandma. She was close to the TV so it wouldn't look suspicious if I was looking in her direction. She had a plateful of turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, some greens, and 2 rolls. She chewed her food about 30 times when eating the turkey and less than 10 when eating the mashed potatoes. She was talking lots so it took her some time to finish her food. My second victim was my little brother who sat at the other table. He is a bigger build and chews a little bit like 10 times before eating. He ate mashed potatoes, some gravy, and rolls since he doesn't like turkey. He ate quickly and got seconds then ate it up fast too. My observation is that my little brother ate faster than my grandma. I was not caught in the act of watching them eat. I prefer not to tell them since they will probably think I am creepy. This experiment was fun and showed me that everyone eats differently and that Thanksgiving dinners are one of the best.
TEACHER: I'm glad you had fun and learned what the experience was meant to teach you.
There are many more research reports coming.
Until then … TAKE CHARGE! … Sylvia
Sylvia J. Harral, M.ED., N.C. Is the CEO and Education Director of Family Health Education for Lifestyle Management (HELM) Health Center