The Tomato Salsa Challenge
Lesson Plans
Grades3, 4, 5Science, English Language Arts, Health
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Provided by Center for Ecoliteracy
What it is
- This lesson plan and activity is a fun and engaging way to teach students about tomatoes and the food we eat.
- Students will learn facts about tomatoes and will create their own salsa recipe using locally grown tomatoes.
- Eating more vegetables and eating more locally are two individual climate solutions that everyone can participate in!
Teaching tips
Positives
- This resource is interactive and engaging; students will enjoy this activity.
- All the included materials are ready to use in your classroom, including a vocabulary list, reproducible worksheets, salsa recipe cards, and instructions.
Additional Prerequisites
- This activity requires materials for implementation, including copies of the worksheets, several varieties of tomatoes, tortilla chips, other salsa ingredients, knives, cutting boards, serving materials, and a blender.
Differentiation
- Connections can be made in math classes working on ratios, health classes discussing healthy eating habits, and language arts classes practicing reading and following directions.
- Consider turning this resource into a mini-project, where students can add on to their salsa recipes with other California-grown tomato recipes. Students can create cookbooks, or serve their meals to customers in their school.
- After implementing this activity, have students reflect in writing about their experience.
From the scientist review
This resource is a more in-depth lesson on nutrition on California grown tomatoes, providing history and facts about them. This resource is recommended for teaching.
How we review resourcesReady to use it?
Hosted on ecoliteracy.org
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