UNIT TITLE: Chocolate

Author: Denise Garvey
E-Mail Address: denisegarvey@yahoo.com

School: Meadow Ridge Elementary School: Orland Park, Illinois

 

THEME : chocolate                                                                                                 poop

BROAD CONCEPT: health

GRADES: 4-6

INTEGRATED SUBJECTS: reading, math, science, social studies, writing

UNIT GOALS AND PURPOSE:

Investigate where chocolate comes from

Research cocoa beans and where they grow

Identify countries where cocoa is found on a map

Determine steps that take place from the cocoa bean to a chocolate bar

Sequence steps

Apply the math skills of measurement, estimation, prediction, central tendencies, problem solving, and graphing

Use graphic organizers to organize data

Create an awareness of nutrition and what is good for them

Use technology to enhance instruction for all students

to explore and investigate

to collect and organize data

to address individual needs and interests

to empower students to achieve their own learning goals

TIME FRAME: 11 day unit
 
OBJECTIVES:

In this lesson, students will:

MATERIALS:

M&Ms

map of the USA

overhead projector

art supplies

ruler

computer

digital camera

PowerPoint

Kid Pix

Inspiration

Excel

STATE STANDARDS ADDRESSED BY THIS UNIT:

Illinois Standards for Language Arts

1B.2d- Read age-appropriate material aloud with fluency and accuracy.

1.C2f- Connect information presented in tables, maps and charts to printed or electronic text.

3.A.2- Write paragraphs that include a variety of sentence types; appropriate use of the eight parts of speech; accurate spelling, capitalization and punctuation.

3.B.2a- Generate and organize ideas using a variety of planning strategies (e.g.,mapping outlining, drafting).

3.B.2b- Establish central idea, organization, elaboration, and unity in relation to purpose and audience.

3.B.2d- Edit documents for clarity, subjectivity, pronoun-antecedent agreement, adverb and adjective agreement and verb tense; proofread for spelling, capitalization and punctuation; and ensure that documents are formatted in final form for submission and/or publication.

3.C.2b- Produce and format compositions for specified audiences using available technology.

4.B.2b- Use speaking skills and procedures to participate in group discussions.

5.A.2b- Organize and integrate information from a variety of sources (e.g.,books, interviews, library reference materials, websites, CD/ROMs).

5.C.2a- Create a variety of print and nonprint documents to communicate acquired information for specific audiences and purposes.

5.C.2b- Prepare and deliver oral presentations based on inquiry or research.

Illinois Standards for Mathematics

6.B.2- Solve one- and two-step problems involving whole numbers, fractions and decimals

using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

6.C.2a- Select and perform computational procedures to solve problems using whole numbers, fractions and decimals.

6.C.2b- Show evidence that computational results using whole numbers, fractions and decimals are correct and/or that estimates are reasonable.

10.A.2a-Organize and display data using pictures, tallies, tables, charts, bar graphs, graphs, line plots and stem-and-leaf graphs.

10.A.2b Using a data set, determine mean, median, mode and range, with and without the use of technology.

10.B.2b-Collect organize and display data using tables, charts, bar graphs, line graphs, circle graphs, line graphs, circle graphs, line plots and stem-and-leaf graphs.

10.B.2d- Interpret results or make relevant decisions based on data gathered.

 

Illinois Standards for Science & Technology

11.A.2b Collect data for investigations using scientific process skills including observing, estimating and measuring.

11.A.2c Construct charts and visualizations to display data.

13.B.2a Explain how technology is used in science for a variety of purposes (e.g., sample collection, storage and treatment; measurement; data collection, storage and retrieval; communication of information).

Illinois Standards for Social Studies

15.A.2a Explain how economic systems decide what goods and services are produced, how they are produced and who consumes them.

16.A.2b Compare different stories about a historical figure or event and analyze differences in the portrayals and perspectives they present.

16.A.2c Ask questions and seek answers by collecting and analyzing data from historic documents, images and other literary and non-literary sources.

17.A.2a Compare the physical characteristics of places including soils, land forms, vegetation, wildlife, climate, natural hazards.

17.A.2b Use maps and other geographic representations and instruments to gather information about people, places and environments.

17.C.2b Describe the relationships among location of resources, population distribution and economic activities (e.g., transportation, trade, communications).

Illinois Standards for Health and Physical Education

22.A.2b Demonstrate strategies for the prevention and reduction of communicable and non-communicable disease (e.g., practicing cleanliness, making healthy food choices, understanding the importance of immunizations and regular health screenings). 

 

 

 

N.C.T.M. STANDARDS ADDRESSED BY THIS UNIT:

Data Analysis Standard for (3-5)

Formulate questions that can be addressed with data and collect, organize, and display relevant data to answer them

Select and use appropriate statistical methods to analyze data

Develop and evaluate inferences and predictions that are based on data

Problem Solving Standard (3-5)

Build new mathematical knowledge through problem solving

Solve problems that arise in mathematics and other contexts

Apply a variety of appropriate strategies to solve problems

Connections Standard (3-5)

Recognize and use connections among mathematical ideas

Representation Standard (3-5)

Create and use representations to organize, record, and communicate mathematical ideas

Recognize and apply mathematical concepts in contexts outside of mathematics


 

STUDENT ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL PROMOTE ENGAGED LEARNING:

Activity #1           Does Chocolate Really Grow on Trees?

Students share information about chocolate by filling in a KWL chart with the class.  Class will discuss where chocolate comes from and where it is found.  They will identify the countries that grow cocoa beans on a large classroom map.  They will read about how cocoa beans grow on trees and the climates that they require for growth.  They will be able to see and touch cocoa beans.  Using Inspiration, each student will draw a picture of a tree and add concepts that they have learned about chocolate around their tree.

Activity #2           The Scoop on Chocolate

After researching about the origin of chocolate, the students will be able to trace the progression through the countries.  On a map of the world, students will identify the places on the map and measure the distances between the countries by using the map scale and a ruler.  Using Microsoft Word, students will type an essay on the history of chocolate and explain how it progressed through the different countries.

Activity #3           Bean to Chocolate

Students will use the internet to find information about the steps that take place to turn a cocoa bean into a chocolate bar.  They will be able to explain what happens in each step and later sequence them from start to finish.  The steps are; harvesting, fermenting, drying, shipping, sorting, roasting, shelling, grinding, extracting, mixing, refining, conching, tempering, molding, and packaging.

Activity #4           Graphic Organizer

Students will use Inspiration to create a graphic organizer that illustrates the steps from harvesting the cocoa beans to packaging the chocolate.  They should include pictures and extra information in the outline of the organizer.

Activity #5           Is Chocolate Good or Bad for You?

The students will bring in their favorite candy bar.  They will brainstorm adjectives that describe their candy bar.  They will share these and discuss the differences.

Students will examine the wrapper of the candy bars and compare and contrast them.  They will discuss what they think is good about the wrapper and some things that could be improved. 

They will identify where the nutritional values are listed on the wrapper.  The class will discuss this information and use the internet to research whether or not chocolate is good or bad for their health.  Students will type a persuasive speech on Microsoft Word about the topic and present it to the class.     

Activity #6           Chocolate Consumers of the World

The students will demonstrate their understanding of a pie graph by creating a pie chart on Excel.  Teacher first should ask students to predict which countries consume the most chocolate.  Write the 8 countries that consume the most chocolate on the board.  Then ask the students to predict how much chocolate each country consumes.  They should predict how much chocolate a person in that country would consume in one year.  Add the correct amounts next to each corresponding country.  Have students create a pie graph by using this information.  The countries and amounts of chocolate are Australia – 11lbs, Britain – 15 ½ lbs, France – 10 lbs., Norway – 17 ½ lbs., Sweden – 12 ½ lbs., United States – 10 ½ lbs., Finland – 7 ½ lbs., and Ireland – 13 ¼ lbs.

Activity #7           M&Ms Estimation & Pictograph

The students will practice their estimating skills using M&Ms.  Each student will receive a small package of M&Ms.  Before opening the package, students will predict how many pieces of candy are in their package.  Next, the students will open the package and count how many of each color they have in their package.  Using Kid Pix, the students will create a pictograph to illustrate the different amounts that they had in their package.

Activity #8           M&M Calculations

Using the results from the different students in Activity #6, the students will calculate the mean, median, and mode of the data.  The students will use Excel for this activity.  They will use formulas to find the mean of the data.  They will display their results on a spreadsheet.

Activity #9           Chocolate Treat Logic Puzzle

Students will demonstrate their ability to think logically by solving several logic puzzles.  An example of one of the puzzles is: Chocolate club members Greg, Chuck, Jill, Ben, and Michelle brought their favorite treats to the club meeting.  The treats were R&Z Candies, Zippets Bars, Choco Doodles, Coco Creepies, and Happies.  Which member brought each treat?

After solving puzzles like this, then students will create their own logic puzzle.  They will type their puzzle on Microsoft Word and add a table in with the correct categories for their puzzle.  Students will exchange puzzles and attempt to find a solution to them.

Activity # 10        Milton Hershey Slideshow

Students will research information about Milton Hershey by using the internet.  One site that they could use is http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blchocolatehershey.htm  They will put major events of his life into a timeline.  They will create a short slideshow on the life of Milton Hershey by using PowerPoint.  The slideshow must meet the following criteria.


SHARE YOUR IDEAS:

Science Chocolate Bar & Commercial

For the final project, students will work together to create a commercial and build a connection between this assignment and real-life.  The students will demonstrate their ability to work in a group by assigning roles without arguing and being rude, as well as, being productive throughout the class period.  Digital cameras will be used to take pictures of the students' presentations.

Students should meet the following criteria:

Total    50pts

Grading scale:

Excellent                       45 – 50

Satisfactory                  35 – 44

Needs Improvement      25 - 34

Unsatisfactory               24 and below
           

STUDENT AND TEACHER ROLES:

Teacher

To act as a facilitator and guide for students.

Provide correlation between classroom activities and real-life situations.

Provide opportunities for interaction among students to investigate, explore, and collaborate in order to create and problem solve.

Create a learning environment that is flexible and invites learning.

Provide many and varied tools and resources to empower your students

  Student

Apply previously learned information and skills

Take responsibility for learning

Collaborate and share information and learning with others

Actively participate in learning.

ADDITIONAL REFERENCE PRINT RESOURCES STUDENTS MAY USE :

World Book Encyclopedia
 
 

THE FOLLOWING BOOKS CONTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT THIS TOPIC:

Chocolate Dream by Arnold Adoff, 1989

Cocoa Beans to Daisies by Pascale Allamand, 1978

The Kid's Book of Chocolate by Richard Ammon, 1987

Invention Book by Steven Caney, 1985

The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Catling, 1952

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Ronald Dahl, 1964

Chocolate by Jacqueline Dineen, 1990

The Chocolate Cookbook by Mager, March, and Michael, 1977

Milton Hershey Chocolate King by Mary Malone, 1977

From Cocoa Bean to Chocolate by Ali Mitgusch, 1975

Chocolate Fever by Robert Smith, 1972


 
FOR ADDITIONAL ONLINE INFORMATION AND MEDIA PERTAINING TO THIS UNIT, TEACHERS MAY WANT TO USE THE FOLLOWING INTERNET ARTICLES:   

Title1: Candy USA

URL1: http://candyusa.org

Description1: This website gives information about the history of chocolate.  It has a link to a site all about the cocoa bean trees.
 
 

Title2: Chocolate Corner

URL2: http://www.shoppingplace.com/chocolates/

Description2: Has detailed information about the cocoa bean and history of chocolate.
 
 

Title3: Quick Health Facts Chocolate

URL3: http://www.nhm.org/news/chocolate/health.htm

Description3: Answers many questions about chocolate and health.
 
 
 

Title4: Chocolate History

URL4: http://sd.essortment.com/chocolatehistor_ogm.htm

Description4: Gives a complete history of chocolate
 
 
 

Title5: Chocolate - The Food of the Gods

URL5: http://www.rnw.nl/special/en/html/chocolate010709.html

Description5: This site describes the roles of chocolate in the past and present times.
 

Title6: Gerkens Cocoa Beans Photo Gallery

URL6: http://www.gerkenscocoa.com/pages/beangallery.html

Description6: This site shows how beans are handled and gives information about them.
 
 
 

RELEVANT INFORMATION, STUDENTS WILL VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEB SITES:

Title1: Hershey Website

URL1: http://hersheys.com./index_flash.shtml

Purpose of Use1: Find out about Hershey candy.

Description1: Contains information on the chocolate, gives tours of factories, gives information on upcoming events, and answers consumer questions.
 
 

Title2: Candy, Candy, Candy

URL2: http://restaurantresults.com/candy/035.html

Purpose of Use2: To gather ideas for their final project.

Description2:  This site lists the major manufacturers of chocolate and gives the names of the candy that they make.
 
 

Title3: Candy Bar Wrapper Collection

URL3: http://www.topsecretrecipes.com/candybars/candanim.htm

Purpose of Use3: To gather ideas for their final project.

Description3: This site contains pictures of candy wrappers.
 
 
 

Title4: Science of Candy

URL4: http://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/candy/candy-links.html

Purpose of Use4: Contains background of candy

Description4: Contains links to candy history 
 

Title5: Stakes on the Market of Chocolate

URL5: http://www.qzina.com/a2z/page3.htm

Purpose of Use5: To gather information on which countries consume chocolate

Description5: This site gives detailed information on which countries consume chocolate.
 
 
 

Title6: M&Ms

URL6: http://global.mms.com/

Purpose of Use6: To learn more about M&M's

Description6: Answers consumer questions, gives history of the company, and gives information on upcoming products.