Set the Scene:
Let’s start with some engaging questions to connect your everyday life to the subject of nuts. Please consider the following:
- What is your favorite type of nut, and how do you usually consume it?
- Have you ever wondered where nuts come from or how they are produced?
- Do you know anyone who has a nut allergy or intolerance, and how do they manage it?
- How do you think nuts impact the environment, and what role do they play in sustainable living?
- What do you think is the most interesting or surprising fact about nuts that you’ve learned recently?
Featured Image Analysis & Prediction:
Take a look at the featured image and answer the following questions:
- What do you see in the image, and what does it represent?
- What do you think this activity will be about based on this image?
- How does the image relate to your everyday life or interests?
Introduction:
Please read the introduction to the activity, which provides an overview of the topic of nuts and their significance in our lives.
Video Engagement:
Watch the video associated with the activity, https://maestrocursos.com.br/quizzed-esl-activities/modern-marvels-nutritional-wonders-of-nuts-s13-e28-full-episode-history/, and pause at the following strategic points:
- Pause at 5:00 minutes and discuss: What are some of the most common types of nuts, and how are they used in different products?
- Pause at 10:00 minutes and discuss: How do nuts impact our health, and what are some of the benefits of consuming them?
- Pause at 15:00 minutes and discuss: What are some of the challenges faced by the nut industry, and how are they addressing sustainability and environmental concerns?
Conclusion:
After completing the activity, reflect on what you’ve learned and how it has impacted your understanding of nuts and their significance in our lives.
Key Vocabulary:
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Nut | A type of fruit that has a hard shell and a seed inside, often used as a food source. | Almonds, walnuts, and pecans are all types of nuts. |
| Botanical Definition | The technical definition of a plant or part of a plant, based on its characteristics and structure. | From a botanical perspective, peanuts are not technically nuts, but rather legumes. |
| Pollination | The process by which plants reproduce, often with the help of bees, wind, or other agents. | Almonds rely on bee pollination, while walnuts are pollinated by wind. |
| Harvesting | The process of gathering crops, such as nuts, from the field or orchard. | The harvesting of almonds typically begins in August, while walnuts are harvested in September. |
| Windrow Machine | A machine used to collect and gather nuts, such as walnuts, into a row for easier harvesting. | A windrow machine is used to collect walnuts from the ground after they have been shaken from the trees. |
| Biofuel | A type of fuel that is derived from living organisms, such as plants or nuts. | The Indian jatropha nut can be used to produce biodiesel, a type of biofuel. |
| Jatropha Nut | A type of nut that is native to India and can be used to produce biofuel. | The jatropha nut is being cultivated in the US as a potential source of biodiesel. |
| Pecan Breeding Program | A program aimed at improving the quality and yield of pecan trees through selective breeding. | The USDA pecan breeding program in Texas is working to develop new and improved varieties of pecan trees. |
| Macadamia Nut | A type of nut that is native to Australia and known for its hard shell and rich flavor. | Macadamia nuts are often used in baking and cooking, and are a popular ingredient in many recipes. |
| Pistachio Cultivation | The process of growing and harvesting pistachio trees, often in large orchards. | Pistachio cultivation began in the US in the 1960s, and has since become a significant industry in California. |
Vocabulary Quiz:
- Which word means ‘a person who keeps and maintains beehives’?
- A) Farmer
- B) Beekeeper
- C) Harvester
- D) Processor
- What is the term for ‘the process of transferring pollen from one plant to another’?
- A) Harvesting
- B) Processing
- C) Pollination
- D) Cultivation
- Which word means ‘a type of machine used to collect nuts from the ground’?
- A) Sweeper
- B) Windrow machine
- C) Mechanical shaker
- D) Hydraulic arm
- What is the term for ‘a type of nut that is native to the Australian rainforest’?
- A) Pecan
- B) Pistachio
- C) Macadamia nut
- D) Walnut
- Which word means ‘a type of fuel that is produced from living organisms’?
- A) Biodiesel
- B) Biofuel
- C) Petroleum
- D) Fossil fuel
Answer Key:
- B
- C
- B
- C
- B
Grammar Focus:
The present perfect tense is used to describe actions or states that started in the past and continue up to the present moment, or have a connection to the present. For example, in the sentence “Peter Pan has been making peanut butter for nearly 90 years,” the present perfect tense is used to show that the action of making peanut butter started in the past and continues up to the present.
Grammar Quiz:
- The company ____________________ peanut butter for nearly 90 years.
- has made
- is making
- has been making
- was making
- By the time the harvest season arrives, the kernel and shell of nuts like almonds and walnuts ____________________ fully formed.
- are
- have been
- will be