The Tomato Salsa Challenge

• 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!
  

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.

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.