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Let's create continuous conversations about climate change education: Spreading the Sediment of Science!
A Comparative Tasting of California Fruits and Vegetables
Provided by: Center for Ecoliteracy |Published on: January 9, 2023
Lesson Plans Grades 3-5
Synopsis
- In this lesson, students sample a variety of fruits and vegetables, learn about California's growing seasons and microclimates, and expand their vocabulary to better describe tastes, textures, and smells.
- The lesson includes a taste test, through which students describe different fruits and vegetables, and a research activity that challenges students to consider the best conditions to grow produce.
Subjects: Science, English Language Arts, Health
Authors: Center for Ecoliteracy, Carolie Sly
Region: North America, USA - West, United States, California
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This is an engaging way to teach students about the importance of descriptive language and healthy diets.
- This lesson allows students to both try new foods and learn new words.
Additional Prerequisites
- The final part of the lesson on growing seasons and growth conditions requires using the online resources provided in the lesson plan.
Differentiation
- As a follow-up lesson, students can learn about the health benefits of the citrus peels and consider making candied citrus peels instead of throwing them away.
- Younger students may not be familiar with some of the terms listed in the handout and may therefore need help. Older students can be encouraged to use a dictionary for words they do not know.
- This lesson can also be used in health classes to introduce students to the importance of including fruits and vegetables in their diet. Relevant extension activities are included in the lesson plan.
- To further practice using descriptive words, older students can write about what they learned using the adjectives provided in the handout.
- Although the final part of the activity is most relevant to California, the taste test can be used anywhere, especially if selecting local fruits.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
Center for Ecoliteracy
The Center for Ecoliteracy advances the teaching and modeling of sustainable practices in K–12 schools. The organization builds partnerships and the capacity of K–12 schools to support healthy, sustainable school communities and food systems change in schools. The Center for Ecoliteracy leads systems change initiatives, publishes original books and resources, facilitates conferences and professional development, and provides strategic consulting. The organization works at multiple levels of scale, with local, regional, state, and national programs.
All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.
