2.2 Reading Plant Produce Labels
This middle school lesson teaches students how to read and interpret plant produce labels found in grocery stores—including USDA Organic, locally grown, Country of Origin Labeling (COOL), pesticide-free, and vine-ripened labels—and to recognize which labels are regulated and which may be misleading. Students take notes during discussion, complete a produce taste-test activity comparing taste and price, and reflect on consumer purchasing decisions.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
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- As a result of this unit the students will recognize the importance of plant uses and consumer product awareness.
- As a result of this lesson the students will differentiate labeling of plant products.
- Time required
- Instruction time for this lesson: 45 minutes.
- Grade level
- Middle School
- Materials
-
- Overhead projector/transparencies
- Samples of different tomatoes with labeling such as "organic," "vine-ripened," "all-natural," "locally grown," or "pesticide free"
- Large sheets of white paper
- Coloring pencils, markers, or crayons
- MS.PS.2.2.AS.A – one per student
- MS.PS.2.2.TM.A – one per teacher
- MS.PS.2.2.TM.B – one per teacher
- MS.PS.2.2.TM.C – one per teacher
- MS.PS.2.2.TM.D – one per teacher
- MS.PS.2.2.TM.E – one per teacher
- MS.PS.2.2.ASSESS.A – one per student
- Lesson Number
- MS.PS.2.2
- Curriculum
- Middle School Food and Agricultural Literacy Curriculum
- Precepts
- J. Mental Growth; J1. Think Critically
- Key Terms
- Organic; Country of Origin Labeling (COOL)
Downloads & Links
Aligned Standards
National Standards
- CS.02.04.01.c.Demonstrate critical and creative thinking skills while completing a task.
- FPP.03.01.06.cPrepare and label foods according to the established standards of regulatory agencies.
- NL-ENG.K-12.12Applying Language Skills
- NL-ENG.K-12.4Communication Skills
- NS.5-8.6Science in Personal and Social Perspectives