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Teach:
Peanut butter is an excellent source of protein. It is an important part of the food pyramid. To help children understand the power behind the peanut butter you will need to read them the experiment called "Project Peanut Butter". The experiment used peanut butter mixed with a few vitamins to aid malnourished children in Malawi.
Dr. Manary visited malnourished children every two weeks. Dr. Manary would give the children two weeks' worth of this peanut butter mixture that didn't need to be refrigerated and didn't spoil easily. The children ate their peanut butter daily. In about eight weeks time the malnourished children were measuring normal for their age. The peanut butter mixture worked. Click on Project Peanut Butter above to read the whole story to your class.
This is also a great project to do when students are learning about George Washington Carver, during Black History Month.
Caution- Prior to starting this project, check allergy records on students and send a note to parents, informing them of the project.
Materials:
- 3 Cups of Peanuts
- 3 Tablespoons of Vegetable Oil
- 3 Pinches of Salt
- Measuring spoon
- Measuring cup
- Food Processor
- Knife
- Crackers
- Paper Plates
Instructions:
- Have the students help you shell the peanuts and place them into the food processor.
- Have a volunteer measure and pour the vegetable oil into the food processor.
- Have another student volunteer add three pinches of salt.
- Turn the food processor on and blend ingredients. You may need to stop every now and then and scrape the sides. If the peanut butter looks too hard, then add a little oil at a time until it becomes smooth.
- Have the students come to the bowl to spread peanut butter onto a cracker. They can use a paper plate and take the cracker back to their desk.
- Ask the student if they like the peanut butter. Compare store bought peanut butter to homemade and chart the differences.
- Tell the students that eating peanut butter crackers is a healthy alternative to choosing cookies or candy.
Resources: How to Make Peanut Butter by Seventh Sibling. This article instructs one person on how to make peanut butter. The recipe is tripled in my article for a classroom.
Third Grade Science: Peanut Butter
This is a series of science projects that can be completed by third grade students.
