Learning objectives:
People's behaviour is influenced by what they believe.
Monks lead very organised, religious (ascetic) lives.
David and his monks followed a very strict diet.
Monks today do not have such strict food rules.

Resources:
Information from this web site,
Sample menus from local restaurants.

Ideas for teaching activities:
After discussing what David and his monks would have eaten and drunk, pupils can try one of the following activities, depending on their age and ability:

1. KS1: Complete the worksheet in which pupils have to add the letters of the name of each food. Less able pupils could have most of the letters written in and add the initial letter. Pupils who are just learning written skills could have the letters 'dotted in' and practise over-writing.

2. KS2: Look at the three sample menu cards. Which menu would suit the following and why?

monks at David's monastery,
monks at a monastery today
meals we would eat

Answers:
(1) A menu suitable for a sick or elderly monk in David's monastery
(Fish is included - this was a special treat).
(2) A typical child's menu for today (includes snacks and no alcohol)
(3)A typical menu for a monk in a modern monastery
(no morning snack, no drinks or lemonade or pop, no chips or burgers)

3. Discuss what food David and his monks ate and compare this with the food they eat in a typical day. Produce a menu card for both using a computer.
When writing the menus try to make the food sound as appetising as possible.
Add illustrations, clip art and boarder if appropriate.

4. Write about, in their own words, what David and his monks ate and drank. This could be illustrated (see sample menus)

5. Read the pupils' information sheet and answer the comprehension questions.

Ideas for a display.
Cover a table with a cloth, add a menu card and display the food on the menu card. Different tables could be set up for different menus which could include:
(a) a meal eaten by David (b) a meal eaten by a monk today (c) a meal eaten by us.

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