Foodways of the Río Grande Las Comidas del Río Grande Curriculum Integrations

Mathematics

1. Design recipes using standard and non-standard measurements.

2. Calculate preparation and cooking time and temperature needed for different kinds of foods. Produce variations of recipes.

3. Calculate cost of various recipes.

4. Calculate the growing time for different kinds of foods.

Science

1. Sprout wheat, corn, beans, squash and chile in soil outside or in window sill. Follow through all of their processes of growth and maturation. Document growth and development through photos and drawings.

2. Explore the effects of temperature and humidity on different kinds of food.

3. Examine the nutritional content of various kinds of food and food combinations.

4. Compare the nutritional content of processed and unprocessed foods.

5. Dry other kinds of food stuffs including squash, melons or other kinds of fruits.

6. Research breads from other countries. Try making different recipes from around the world.

Language Arts

1. Describe the food production process of plants such as corn or wheat.

2. Write a poem using the names of foods.

3. Try describing the taste of different foods.

4. Read stories about different foods.

5. Create a class cookbook based on traditional foods from each student's family.

6. Design a menu that features the different kinds of traditional Hispanic foods from the region of the Río Grande.

Social Science

1. Explore the origins of different foods from around the world, paying special attention to New World and Old World contributions.

2. Describe rituals and holidays from around the world that incorporate the use of special foods. Discuss the role of these foods in both the ritual or holiday as well as in the culture that employs them. Collect sayings/proverbs regarding food.

3. Explore the relationship between food and social status.

4. Explore food distribution around the world by examining areas that grow more food and areas that grow less. Discuss the reasons for this.

5. Study the issues involved with world hunger and discuss what can be done to solve this problem.

6. Explore tools and utensils needed for food production in different parts of the world. Discuss the evolution or development of these tools and utensils.

7. Explore how food production has changed from an agricultural society to an industrial and technological society.

Physical Education

1. Plant and harvest a garden.

2. Develop a dance that employs the general movements of plant growth and the kinds of work required to raise crops.

3. Create games that involve food such as the rolling of watermelons with one's nose, etc.

Community Connections

1. Make other forms of bread at home including breads that use yeast.

2. Bake bread in an horno or some other kind of oven.

3. Sample different kinds of bread.

4. Visit the Farmer's Market and select ingredients for a meal.

5. Pick or harvest piñon or other nuts or seeds in your region.

6. Harvest apricots or other locally available fruit and ask an older brother or sister or your parents to help you make jelly.

7. Dry fruit. Visit sites that make or sell dried fruit.

8. Document food traditions in your family and/or neighborhood. Have family or community members make presentations in your classroom about different family or ethnic recipes.