Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom

November Page

Oklahoma Fruit of the Month: Pears

Two Pears, Georgia O'Keefe

Pears were among the Oklahoma crops big enough to report in the 1900 census, a few years before statehood. Oklahoma orchards produced 2,000 bushels of pears in 1900 and 7,450 in 1910. Today pears are not grown commercially in the state but they can still be found in home gardens and for sale in some farmer's markets.

Pears are a very good source of dietary fiber, Vitamin C, copper and Vitamin K.

More pear facts

Be a Food Explorer: Pear Taste Test

Bring several different kinds of pears to class. Have students determine which ones they like best by looking at them. Then do a taste test and ask students if the pears that look best also taste best. Some pears are crunchy and some are more buttery. Have students vote to see how they prefer their pears (crunchy or buttery). Graph the results.

Play With Your Food: Still Life With Pears

Bring several different kinds of pears to class. Arrange them in an attractive dish, and have students do still life drawings or paintings of them. Discuss the tradition of still life art.

Pear (1/2 cup, sliced)
amounts per serving
% daily value
calories
50
calories from fat
0
total fat
0g
0%
sodium
0g
0%
total carbohydrate
13g
4%
dietary fiber
3g
12%
sugars
8g
protein
0g
Vitamin A
0%
Vitamin C
6%
calcium
0%
iron
0%

Percent daily values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Source: Centers for Disease Control

P.A.S.S. for These Activities

  • PreK: Creative Skills - 1.2,4. Math - 2.2; 5.2
  • Kindergarten: Creative Skills - 1.3. Math - 5.1,2
  • Grade 1: Math Process - 1.2; 5.1. Math Content - 5.1,2. Visual Arts - 1.4; 2.3; 3.2,3
  • Grade 2: Math Process - 1.2; 5.1. Math Content - 5.1,2. Visual Arts - 1.4; 2.3; 3.2,3
  • Grade 3: Math Process - 1.2; 5.1. Math Content - 5.1a. Visual Arts - 1.4; 3.1
  • Grade 4: Math Process - 1.2; 5.1. Math Content - 5.1b. Visual Arts - 1.2; 3.2,

November Page

Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom

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Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom is a program of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and the Oklahoma State Department of Education.