Students will learn about food through music. Investigate music about hunger and food. The song title “Another day in paradise” brings attention to homelessness. The singer Phil Collins tells the listener to be grateful for what they have because they are in paradise compared to the woman on the street. The global organization, Action Against Hunger, utilizes the donations of those who can provide (arguably, those that live in ‘paradise’) to help those in need. Their focus is hunger relief. So far, this organization has had a lifesaving impact on over 45 countries and has helped over 20 million people.

How is music used to learn about food and create awareness about hunger? How are climate changes affecting our food and water? How climate change affects lives on the Earth.

Copy the title and artist name and search on YouTube. Play.

Scan and listen to the 100 food song list. Pick one song you like, and share the link on the google classroom wall.

Conduct an experiment on water filtration. Write a letter to a local politician about an environmental problem or idea. Create a petition for an environmental cause.

Top 5 Songs About Hunger

“Is This The World We Created?” by Queen

Just look at all those hungry mouths we have to feed
Take a look at all the suffering we breed
So many lonely faces scattered all around
Searching for what they need

This song kicks off the list of the Top 5 Songs About Hunger because it directly talks about the hunger and suffering going on in the world, and singer Freddy Mercury begs the question, “Is this the world we created?” suggesting that these issues are manmade and preventable. One of the ways that the band Queen helped bring relief to world hunger was through Live Aid. This benefit concert was organized by Irish rock singer, Bob Geldof. Many different artists and bands came together to put on this concert and were able to raise over $125 million for famine relief in Africa.

“Another Day In Paradise” by Phil Collins

She calls out to the man on the street
He can see she’s been crying
She’s got blisters on the soles of her feet
She can’t walk but she’s trying

Oh think twice, it’s another day for
You and me in paradise

This song brings attention to homelessness and singer Phil Collins tells the listener to be grateful for what they have because they are in paradise compared to the woman on the street. The global organization, Action Against Hunger, utilizes the donations of those who can provide (arguably, those that live in ‘paradise’) to help those in need. Their focus is hunger relief. So far, this organization has had a lifesaving impact on over 45 countries and has helped over 20 million people.

“Them Belly Full” by Bob Marley

Them belly full, but we hungry
A hungry mob is an angry mob
Rain will fall, but the dirt is tough
A pot a cook but the food nah nuff

The third song to make it onto the Top 5 Songs About Hunger, “Them Belly Full” by Bob Marley calls attention to the fact that in some countries, the government is corrupt and neglects their people, leaving them poor and hungry. When he says, “them belly full” he is referring to the government, and the “we” in “but we hungry” are the people of Jamaica.

Other governments have taken to weaponizing aid. Take for instance the Syrian regime, which withholds humanitarian access to basic necessities like food in order to “weaken opposition groups and to prevent the creation of an alternative political order.” Still, many organizations continue to work hard to reach those in need. One such organization is Relief International, which provides aid to the refugees that cross the border into Turkey.

Use a T-chart to distinguish between natural and man-made resources.

“In The Ghetto” by Elvis Presley

Well the world turns
And a hungry little boy with a runny nose
Plays in the street as the cold wind blows
In the ghetto

The lyrics throughout this song tell the story of a boy growing up in the ghetto and emphasize how hard life is for those living in poorer areas. Singer Elvis Presley also calls out the fact that people often turn a blind eye to those impacted by poverty. Presley used his fame as a platform to help normalize polio vaccinations in the 1950s. Today, the disease has been eradicated in all but two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, two impoverished countries, who are working hard to completely wipe out this disease.

Books and Videos

Polar Bear, Why is Your World Melting by Robert E. Wells. This is not only our favorite book about the greenhouse effect but one of our top non-fiction favorites of all time.

Earth In The Hot Seat by National Geographic is visually stunning and educational. We liked the quiz to calculate our personal carbon footprint and the tips on how to reduce it.

Why Are The Ice Caps Melting? We love all Anne Rockwell books and this one is no exception. I like the ink-and-watercolor art, actional steps (i.e., buying food that isn’t prepackaged. Bye-bye cookies!), and simple explanations.

The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. It’s a classic for a reason. The rhyming test and groovy drawings deliver the powerful message that unless we start caring, things can get pretty bad for Mother Earth.

The Magic School Bus and The Climate Challenge by Joanne Cole. This is a great series. I like the scientific facts, simple explanations, and the message that the kids can help solve the problem.

Global Warming 101. This very short video from National Geographic got almost 3 million views for a reason.

The Greenhouse Effect. This video from US Environmental Pro