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Taste Testers

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The GIANT Encyclopedia of Science Activities for Children 3 to 6

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The GIANT Encyclopedia of Science Activities for Children 3 to 6

Materials

Saltine crackers Lemon wedges

Baking cocoa Clear corn syrup

Sugar and salt Peeled apple and peeled raw potato slices

Chopped carrot and raw sweet potato Seltzer and clear lemon soda

Chart paper Marker

Instructions

1. At circle time, talk about how your body tastes things. Explain that the tongue has specialplaces to taste special tastes. Wait until everyone gets a sample of the item, then everyonetastes together.

2. Hand out the saltines, and let the children lick the tops. What do they taste?3. Now hand out the small lemon pieces and let the children suck on them. These are sour.

4. Allow the children to smell the cocoa and then let eachchild take a small pinch to taste. It is bitter.

5. Put a drop of syrup on each child's finger. Lick it off.Sweet!6. Stress that it is okay to taste things only if you know what it is or a trusted adult such as aparent or teacher says it is okay.

7. For small group time, introduce the dishes of similar-looking foods. Your eyes can't tell whichis which. Sometimes your nose can't either. Only taste will tell for sure.

8. For each pair of foods, let the children make predictions as to which is sugar, apple, carrot,soda. Write down their predictions. Taste to check out the hypotheses.More to doArt: Make Mr. Yuk puppets with brown paper bags. Glue green circles onto the bottom flap.Draw features with black. Put green tongue under the flap. Use the puppets to discuss poisons.Snack: Make gorp by mixing salty peanuts, sweet raisins and semisweet chocolate chips in apaper cup to eat for snack.

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Make the most of your instructional time with this fun and adaptable activity. Crafted from our experts in early childhood theory and best practice, this downloadable resource offers play-based activities that will help your students reach learning objectives.