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Rainforest Tastes and Smells Rainforest Treasure Hunt Here are some tastes, smells and textures that come from rainforests. Be sure to talk about all the important uses. A great idea from Sallie Phelps. Rainforest Foods and Products Spices: Cinnamon | Black Pepper | Nutmeg | Cayenne | Ginger | Chili Pepper | Vanilla | Cardamom | Paprika | Cloves | Sesame Seeds Food: Avocado | Cocoa and Chocolate | Lemon | Orange | Banana | Coconut | Lime | Mango | Pineapple | Cashew Nut | Coffee | Cola | Brazil Nut | Peanut Fun and Useful Things: Balsa Wood | Jute (twine) | Rubber Band | Pencil Eraser | Balloon | Bamboo | Rubber Stamp | Rubber Ball | Rattan | Quinine Pretty Things: Ylang-ylang Flower | African Violet | Parakeet or Parrot | Rubber Plant | Christmas Cactus | Philodendron | Orchid Can your class think of other things that come from the rainforest? How many of these can your students find at home? Print this list or create your own. Assign a check-off scavenger hunt and get parents involved in the fun. Rainforest Smells Identification Game Select four or five fragrant tropical products like lemon peel, pineapple, coconut, chocolate, coffee, or bay rum. Place a small portion of each in an empty film canister. Cover with a small cloth square and secure with a rubber band. Ask children to guess the scents! Jungle Jumble Recipe Make a batch of Jungle Jumble and taste the rainforest. Thanks to Sallie Phelps! 1 cup peanuts 1 cup Brazil nuts 1 cup cashew nuts 1 cup slivered coconut 1 cup pineapple 1 cup dried banana chips 1 cup dried papaya 1 cup dried mango Mix all ingredients together in a large container with a lid. More fun: explore fractions by varying the measurements of some ingredients. For example: reduce papaya and mango to 1/2 cups, increase banana and pineapple to 3/4 cups. Tropical Popcorn Crunch Mix together 2 ounces flaked coconut 4 ounces dried pineapple cut into small pieces 2 ounces dried dates or raisins, diced 2 quarts air popped popcorn Jungle Punch Combine the following in a large punch bowl. 1 quart orange juice 1 quart pineapple juice 1 quart lemon soda Before serving add: 1 quart vanilla ice cream or lemon sherbet Rainforest Treat 1. Peel 16 bananas and cut in half. 2. Insert a popsicle stick in the cut end 3. Dip into melted chocolate chips and then roll in flaked coconut. 4. Chill the bananas before serving. Chocolate Chip Banana Bread 1 1/2 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 stick of unsalted butter, softened 1 cup sugar 1 1/2 cups ripe bananas, mashed (about 4 bananas) 2 eggs, beaten 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup chocolate chips 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Grease and flour a 9" x 5" loaf pan 3. Mix together flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl, set aside 4. In another bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add the mashed bananas and the vanilla. 5. Stir the dry ingredients into the banana mixture. Add chips and mix by hand. 6. Pour batter into the loaf pan 7. Bake for 55-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Cool in pan for 1/2 hour and then remove from pan to cool completely. |
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