Food Safety

Food Safety Reviews

Food Safety Resources Reviews

General Information

Title: Detective Mike Robe's Fantastic Journey, A Food Safety & Quality Program for Head Start Preschoolers

Producer/Publisher: University of Rhode Island, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Cooperative Extension

Review Date: 8/1/2003

Format(s): Videocassette, Manual

Audience(s):
Parents/Family/Consumer, Educator, Cooperative Extension, Health Services/School Nurses, Lower Elementary Students

Detailed Information

Overall Comments On Resource Reviewed:

Positive Points of the Reviewed Resource:

I was particularly impressed with the number of mutually reinforcing (but not repetitive) activities. In addition, I liked the inclusion of an educational session for parents, as well as pre-written articles for classroom newsletters.

Negative Points of the Reviewed Resource:

The curriculum contains many typographical errors. Most of them do not affect comprehension, however, they do make it more difficult to read.

General Comments:

This curriculum is a good summary of bacterial growth and food safety for young children. In the four days since we watched the video together, my four-year-old will only allow food to be on the counter for a minute or two before he reminds me, "Remember Momma, in the food safety movie, they said to not leave food on the counter."

Summary:

This curriculum is a good summary of bacterial growth and food safety for young children. There are many activities for the children to reinforce the material as well as to keep interest up, and even information for parents.

Rating:

Recommended

PART I

All Materials

1. Content:

Purpose:

Purpose of resource is clearly stated in title or introduction

If not, please explain:

Organization:

Resource is well-organized and major points are presented clearly. Resource does not assume that reader has background information.

If not, please give specific examples:

Accuracy:

Information, technical or otherwise, is accurate and recommendations are current.

If not, please give specific examples:

On page II-1, Definitions, under food safety, rancidity and browning are given as examples of "chemical contamination," and drying is used as an example of "physical contamination." While these ARE examples of chemical and physical changes in food, they are NOT contamination, and they are not safety problems.

Consistency with Current Food Code

The latest version of the Food Code is used and the information is consistent with that code.

If not, please give specific examples:

Learning Activities, Questions, Projects, or Interactive Learning Tools:

Resource includes a variety of stimulating and interesting learning experiences, questions, projects, or suggestions for further action that will involve the audience (e.g., an activity where the participant rates their current food safety practices).

If not, pleae give specific examples:

The package includes games, puppet shows, and other age-appropriate activities, which are all tied to the video and the concept of food safety.

Special Interests:

Resource is geared toward special needs and interests of intended target audience(s).

If not, please explain:

Scope:

Scope of information is appropriate for target audience(s) and essential topics are discussed in appropriate detail.

Please explain:

A few vocabulary words, such as a detective looking for "leads," and "deputizing" the kids in the class, as well as the concept of bacteria multiplying "20 minutes later" may be too advanced for some preschoolers, but this problem could be surmounted by teachers.

Summary:

All major ideas are summarized or reviewed to reinforce key concepts; summaries are easily identified.

If not, please give specific examples:

Objectivity/Sponsor Bias:

Subject matter is presented objectively and fairly. No brand name is mentioned or obvious sponsor bias.

2. Diversity:

Positive Role Models:

Positive role models are provided in text and illustrations. Role models are presented as having many roles, traits, and emotions.

If not, please explain

Multi-Cultural Representation:

Resource does not include any outright negative stereotypes concerning racial, religious, or ethnic groups.

If not, please give specific examples:

Instructional Aids:

If not needed, please explain:

Availability of Aids:

If aids do not exist or are not necessary, please explain:

Instructor’s Guide:

Instructor’s guide is included with suggestions for enhancing audiovisual presentation, pre-, and post-showing. Suggestions or follow-up learning activities/discussion questions are included.

If instructor’s guide is not included, is one needed?

Please explain:

Instructor Resources:

Instructor resources are included and reinforce the information provided in the curriculum.

If instructor resources are not included, should they be included to reinforce the information provided in the curriculum?

Please explain:

Student Resources:

Student resources are included and reinforce the information provided in the curriculum.

If student resources are not included, should they be included to reinforce the information provided in the curriculum?

Please explain:

Credits, References, and Resources (including dates, publishers, etc.):

Complete credits, current references, date produced, and resources listed are up-to-date (credits may be on video package).

If not, please give specific examples:

A production date is not listed on the package.

Part II

Print Resources Only
(if applicable)

Readability:
Vocabulary:

Vocabulary is appropriate for intended audience(s).Resource minimizes use of technical terms and if used, they are defined.

If not, please give specific examples:

The words "leads" and "deputize" are included in preschooler's material, and the word "implication" is used in the parent's letter. Depending on the parent audience, this could be too advanced of a word.

Writing Style:

Main ideas are clear and flow smoothly.

Yes

If not, please give specific examples:

Writing Approach:

Writing approach is positive, personal and involves the reader. Active voice is used most of the time.

If not, please explain:

The material is primarily a curriculum outline and as such uses phrases like, "The teacher will..." and "The students will...."

Supportive / Effective Illustration:

Illustrations contribute to the resource and are on the same page as their text references.Tables and graphs are simple, easy-to-read, and in a form requiring no further explanation.

If not, please give specific examples:

Illustrations are primarily intended as handouts to be copied and given to children as activity sheets. As such, they are not on the same page as the teacher instructions for that activity. The curriculum also acknowledges that the illustrations for the "What is Wrong" activity are difficult to decipher (pg. C-22).

Illustrations contribute to the material and are on the same page as their text references.Active voice is used most of the time.

If not, please give specific examples:

Please comment:

N/A The pages are printed on one side.

Layout and Design:

Color, design, and layout of resource are attractive and stimulate interest without being too busy. A good balance between print and blank space is on the page.

Please comment:

The color is N/A because the material is black and white, and the certificate is not centered on the page (pg. C-144).

Headings:

Clear headings are provided for each topic area.

Yes

If headings are not provided for each topic area, would they be helpful? Please explain:

Part III
Audiovisual Resources Only
(if applicable)

5. Audiovisual Presentation Format:

Quality:

Audiovisual resource is mutually supportive to the presentation of concepts.

If not, please explain:

The video is integral to the material.

Presentation:

Presentation progresses at a pace that permits comprehension. Pacing of dialogue is appropriate for absorbing concepts presented. Blank time is provided.

If not, please explain:

6. Technical Quality:

Auditory Quality:

Speaker, voice, and music are clear; sound is audible and has good quality.

If not, please explain:

The sound quality is slightly distorted, and the soundtrack was distracting at times.

Visual Quality:

Visuals are clear and properly framed; graphics and titles are clearly visible; and color, lighting, and editing enhance presentation content.

If not, please explain:

The animation is very rudimentary, but does not distract from viewing. My son, Jamie said, "It looked as if the pictures were drawn on TV by Momma."

Continuity:

Continuity provides cohesiveness and smooth flow. Visuals are in a logical order and auditory portion is precisely matched with visual portion.

If not, please explain:

Disclaimer: The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit professional society. As such, the sole purpose and mission of the organization is the educational and scientific advancement of the environmental health profession. In keeping with this mission, this article is provided for informational purposes only. It is designed to better inform our members about topical and relevant food safety resource and training materials available to the environmental health professional. It in no way represents the views, opinions or policy statements of the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA). Any opinions expressed about any food safety resource and training materials in this column (either expressly or implied) are solely and completely the responsibility of the author(s)and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the author(s) employer nor the views or opinions of the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA).