Worksheet “My Banana’s Journey”

Here’s a complete educational resource set for primary students using the Living Atlas of the World (Esri), themed around “Where Does Our Food Come From?”. This integrates geography, sustainability, and critical thinking in a developmentally appropriate way.

🧾 Sample Worksheet

Title: My Banana’s Journey: A Food Map
Grade Level: 3–5
Objective: Students trace where a banana comes from, how far it travels, and what it passes on its way.

✍️ Student Worksheet Tasks

Part 1: Where is my banana from?
🟨 1. Draw a 🍌 banana in the box.
🟨 2. Write the name of the country it came from (check the label or ask your teacher):
Country: ______________________

Part 2: Let’s find it on the map!
🔍 3. Use the interactive map your teacher shows you (Living Atlas + World Imagery).

• Zoom in to find the country. Circle it on your printed map.

• What continent is it on? ______________________

• What is the land like there? (Check satellite view!)
  ☐ Rainforest ☐ Mountains ☐ Desert ☐ Farmland

Part 3: Follow the journey
✈️ 4. What kind of transport might bring your banana to your country?
☐ Boat ☐ Truck ☐ Plane ☐ Train

🧮 5. Estimate the distance: Is it more or less than 1,000 km?
☐ Less than 1,000 km
☐ More than 1,000 km

Part 4: Think and draw
💬 6. What are the good and bad things about food traveling far?
✅ Good: ___________________________________________________
❌ Bad: ____________________________________________________

🎨 7. Draw the journey your banana takes from farm to table on a map or as a cartoon.

Lesson Plan:

📌 Overview

Grade: Primary (ages 8–10)
Subject: Geography, Environmental Studies
Time: Two 45-minute lessons
Theme: Global food origins and food miles

🥅 Learning Objectives

• Understand where food comes from using real maps.

• Learn to read and interpret world maps and satellite images.

• Recognize the environmental impact of food transport.

• Build empathy and awareness of global connections.

🧭 Materials

• Internet-connected device and projector

• Printed or digital map of the world

• Esri Living Atlas access via ArcGIS Online

• Student worksheet (above)

• Crayons or markers

🧩 Lesson 1 – Exploring Food Origins

1. Engage (5 min): Show a banana and ask: “Where do you think this came from?”

2. Explore (15 min):

   • Show the country using Living Atlas “World Imagery” basemap.

   • Zoom in to see landscape and discuss features.

3. Map & Match (15 min):

   • Use the printed map and worksheet.

   • Students mark the banana’s origin and answer questions.

4. Group Discussion (10 min):

   • Compare with other fruits (pineapple, kiwi, apple).

   • Ask: “Why don’t we grow bananas here?”

🧩 Lesson 2 – The Journey of Food

1. Recall (5 min): Review where bananas come from.

2. Explore Transport (10 min):

   • Show Living Atlas layer: “Global Shipping Routes” or “Airports and Ports”.

   • Talk about how bananas might travel to the store.

3. Food Miles Activity (15 min):

   • Use an online distance calculator (or estimate) to guess how far food travels.

   • Compare local vs. imported foods.

4. Reflect & Draw (10 min):

   • Students complete the cartoon/storyboard of the food journey.

5. Class Share (5 min):

   • Let students share one insight or surprise.

Website: https://portal.geoacademy.eu/course-category/map-storytelling/