Oklahoma Fruit of the Month: Grapes
People have been eating grapes since prehistoric
times. Raisins were probably first produced deliberately in Asia
Minor by the process of burying fresh grapes in the hot desert
sand. The grapes used to make raisins are different from table
grapes. Another kind of grape is used to make grape juice.
The continental US is home to approximately 30 native wild grape species. Nine of those are native to Oklahoma. Grapes and a large number of fruit crops have been grown in Oklahoma since the first settlers arrived here. All kinds of grapes can be grown in Oklahoma, but most Oklahoma
grapes are grown for grape juice and wine. Table grapes available
in the grocery store are mainly from California or Chile.
Play With Your Food: The Grapes of Math
-
For each group of students, provide a large
clear container and a mixture of green and red grapes.
-
Each group estimates how many grapes they think
their container will hold.
-
Students count the grapes as they fill the
container, by ones, twos and fives.
-
Students estimate how many of each color grape
they have.
-
Students estimate the volume (in grapes) of
another container, based on the number of grapes in the first
container.
-
Students create patterns using the grapes.
-
Students use the grapes to construct addition
and subtraction facts.
-
Students establish benchmarks on their containers
for customary and metric units and estimate the measures of
grapes.Try again with raisins.
-
Students select appropriate customary and metric
units of measure to find the volume of the grapes.
-
Students describe the probability of drawing
a red grape from the container.
-
Research question: Why are seedless grapes
seedless? (See
Melon
Meiosis for a clue.)
Grapes (1 1/2 cup, red or green)
|
amounts per serving |
% daily value |
calories |
60 |
|
calories from fat |
0 |
|
total fat |
0g |
0% |
sodium |
0mg |
0% |
total carbohydrate |
14g |
5% |
dietary fiber |
1g |
4% |
sugars |
12g |
|
protein |
1g |
|
Vitamin A |
|
2% |
Vitamin C |
|
15% |
calcium |
|
0% |
iron |
|
2% |
Percent daily values are based on a 2,000 calorie
diet.
Books
Perez, L. King, and
Robert Casilla, First Day in Grapes, Lee & Low, 2002.
(Grades 1-3).
Growing
up in a migrant family, Chico has experienced first school days
in artichokes and first days in onions, and "now his first day in
third grade would be in grapes." His encounters with bullies and
the grumpy school bus driver shake Chico's confidence, but a friendly
classmate and an understanding teacher help him adjust. Realistic
watercolor, pastel, and colored-pencil illustrations portray Chico's
emotions.
Ryan, Pam Munoz, How Do You Raise a Raisin?, Charlesbridge,
2003. (Grades 2-4)
This book explains how grapes become raisins, who
introduced the seedless grape, raisins throughout history, nutrition
and the many uses for raisins.
Stone, Lynn, Fruit (Plant Parts), Rourke, 2007. (Grades PreK-2)
Beautifully photographed book about fruit is basic
but accurate. It is an excellent resource for teaching pollination
and seed development and the difference between a fruit and a vegetable.
-
PreK - Math: 1.1,2; 2.2
-
Kindergarten - Math: 1.1; 2.1,4
-
Grade 1 - Math Process: 1.1,2; 2.1,4; 3.2,3;
4.4. Math Content: 1.1; 2.4
-
Grade 2 - Math Process: 1.1,2; 2.1,4; 3.2,3;
4.4. Math Content: 1.1; 4.2ab; 5.3
-
Grade 3 - Math Process: 1.1,2; 2.1,4; 3.2,3;
4.4. Math Content: 3.1; 4.2ab; 5.2a
-
Grade 4 - Math Process: 1.1,2; 2.1,4; 3.2,3;
4.4. Math Content: 4.4ab; 5.2
-
Grade 5 - Math Process: 1.1,2; 2.1,4; 3.2,3;
4.4. Math Content: 4.3; 5.2a
