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How It Works:
Peanuts are one of the world's most beneficial crops. Its uses are
innumerable. From food to explosives, all the parts of the plant have been
used. Recently scientists have discovered they can use the peanut shells,
which are thrown away by the pounds, to produce a type of fuel which can run
a car. This unit will provide students with a chance to investigate the
peanut scientifically. They will observe, taste, smell, feel, and grow
peanuts. They will investigate its uses as well as try to create a use of
their own. They will learn about nutrition and allergies. African American
History will be explored and understand how important scientific discoveries
are and how they change our lives. Students will use technology to find
information, create graphs, type findings, do powerpoint presentations.
Standards:
SCIENCE
- Student observes, analyzes, uses various instruments and records
data.
- Knows how to work collaboratively.
- Knows that to compare and contrast observations is a skill in
science.
- Understands similarities and differences among plants.
- Knows structural adaptations of plants.
- Knows organism need resources to live.
- Student understands our bodies need energy to move.
- Understands how we depend on plants for survival.
- Students knows that to work collaboratively.
- understands that relationships between science concepts and
contribution of scientists.
SOCIAL STUDIES
- Student will learn African American History.
- Understands how scientific discoveries have helped progress
regarding human health and lifestyles.
- Student will have economic understanding of available resources.
MATH
- Uses estimation strategies
- Use graph to display data.
- Uses concrete materials to model equivalent forms of whole numbers
and fractions.
- Solves multiplication problems using concrete objects and drawings.
Estimated Class Periods To Complete:
10 or more
Software Materials Used:
Software needed to complete projects include multimedia presentation
software such as HyperStudio, PowerPoint, KidPix and a word processor.
Keywords:
goober, peanut, George Washington Carver, pod, plant, peanut butter,
crop,allergy, estimate, fractions, graph, array, pod, products, ingredient,
peanut oil, peanut shells, peanut skin, botany, biology, agricultural,
humanitarian, nitrate, legumes, nutrition, nutrients, healthy, ingredients,
vitamins, minerals, food pyramid, protein,anatomy, root, stem, leaf, flower,
legume, pod, harvest,
Students:
This project is suitable for the intermediate grades in elementary school
and can be adapted for middle school students as well. Students can work in
groups or they can be done individually. Students will need basic skills in
reading and writing as well as technology.
Overall:
These lessons assess reading comprehension as the student goes on science
investigations and fun math activities. They will learn to look for
information that they can use for their own good, such as nutrition. The
social studies options are very interesting if you order the George
Washington Carver Kit. You get first hand historical information and wets
students appetite for discovery.
Tips:
Train students on navigating the Internet prior to beginning the unit.
Check all links to make sure they are still active. Have all printables
ready for students. Make sure students are aware of the rubrics so they know
what are the expectations. Don't forget the peanuts.
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About the Teacher:
Elizabeth is a graduate of Florida International University and has been
teaching in Miami-Dade County Public Schools since 1998. Having fifteen
years of experience in the corporate world has made it easy for Elizabeth to
incorporate technology into the classroom. Elizabeth is an active
participant of Citibank FamilyTech program and has received several
grants to implement interdisciplinary technology-based units.
Subjects:
Science, Social Studies & Math
Grade Levels:
3-6
Email Elizabeth
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