Chia
This lesson is a part of a series that explores foods that were important to the ancient Aztec and Maya.
OBJECTIVE
Students will understand the cultural importance and history of Chia.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
Why did ancient people grow and cultivate certain foods? How do we tell the story of culturally significant foods?
MATERIALS NEEDED
Dry Chia seeds
Soaked Chia seeds
Prepared Chia pudding
PROCEDURE
Introduction: Projecting the Chia slideshow, ask students if anyone has heard of Chia. While students are sharing out, pass around a jar of the dried seeds for them to observe. This is a food that was, and still is, important to people in modern day Mexico. Today we will learn the history of this important food, and taste it.
Activity:
Use the slideshow to familiarize students with the cultivation and history of Chia. This is a superfood that co-adapted with a people in a specific place.
- Why do people eat this food?
- What is the climate like where it is from? Observe soaked Chia seeds. Why would people living in a desert want a seed that absorbs 12 times its weight in water?
- How do we know and talk about Chia today?
Taste Chia pudding with students.
Wrap Up/Assessment:
Connect with other lessons about ancient foods of the Aztec and Maya.