Tropical Treats

Objective: Students will estimate and measure using standard and non-standard measure.

Materials: Items listed on the recipes, pencils, paper

Background: Life is like a spider's web. And this web of life is made up of millions of
different kinds of plants and animals and the interactions between them, and all of the
different habitats that they live in. All species, including us humans, from the tiniest of
micro-organisms and insects, to the tallest trees and the biggest whales, all depend on a
healthy natural world for survival. For both people and wildlife, the web of life is extremely
important. It provides the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat.

Think for a moment about all the different foods we eat - all the fruits and vegetables, wheat,
rice and other crops, coffees and teas, chocolate, etc. Many of the foods that are common in
our North American households originated in the rain forests. Avocado, banana, black pepper,
Brazil nuts, cashews, chocolate/cocoa, coffee, cola, ginger, jalapeno, lemon, orange, peanut,
pineapple, potato, tomato, and vanilla all came to us first from the rain forest. One interesting
fact is that Brazil nuts cannot be grown in a plantation. They can only be gathered wild from
rain forests where they're found.

Procedure:
Carefully read through the list of ingredients. Divide class into small groups. Assign each
group a specific rain forest food and ask each student within that group to bring from home
one or more of the ingredients. The teacher may have to provide cooking utensils, pans,
measuring cups/spoons, storage containers, etc.

Discuss how each ingredient can be related to the rainforest.

On baking/cooking day, take groups to the kitchen and prepare each treat. During
preparation, discuss how mathematics applies to the measurements in each recipe.

As an additional activity, brainstorm a list of foods that come from the tropical rainforests.
Write them on the board. Have students make up their own recipes using the foods listed.
Have students vote on their favorite recipes and then invite the "inventor" of the recipes to
make their recipes and share with the class.

Extensions:
Attached is a list of treasures from the rain forests. Make a copy for each of your students
and have them do a "treasure hunt" in their home. Discuss with the students the many things
we would miss if the rain forest disappeared. When they return the list to school, review with
the class and reward the winning "treasure hunter" with a rainforest prize.

Go to www.nationalzoo.com and visit the "Amazonia Exhibit" virtual tour.