Fatimah Jackson is an anthropologist who studies plants and people in Africa. Learn more about her life and work by viewing the video and exploring the CD-ROM. Five activities in this kit include: Everyday Poisons, Investigating Starch, African Arts (2 parts), and Green Travelers. Students discover the amazing number of poison chemicals in everyday foods during Everyday Poisons. In Investigating Starch, students test different kinds of food for the presence of starch and taste a chemical change. African Art allows students to create African symbols on cloth using cassava gel. Finally, in Green Travelers, students track the travels of everyday plant food to find out where they originated.

Instructional Materials

This kit includes a video, CD-ROM, and activity book. In addition a kit containing non-consumable materials to implement the five activities is available. This portion of the kit includes: (7 sets) Poison Plant Recipe Cards, (7) Pipets, (1 box) Tapioca Flour, (7 bottles) Iodine, (1 roll) wax paper, (7) squeeze bottles, (1 package) disposable latex gloves, (28) sponge paintbrushes, (28) 16 oz. Plastic containers, and (1) World Map. There will be a $10.00 fee assessed for utilizing this kit. It must also be returned in the condition in which it was received. If not, the replacement cost is $72.00.

Illinois State Goals & Learning Standards

01A. Apply word analysis and vocabulary skills to comprehend selections.

01C. Comprehend a broad range of reading materials.

03A. Use correct grammar, spelling, puctuation, capitalization and structure.

03C. Communicate ideas in writing to accomplish a variety of purposes.

04A. Listen effectively in formal and informal situations.

04B. Speak effectively using language appropriate to the situation and audience.

05C. Apply acquired information, concepts and ideas to communicate in a variety of formats.

11A. Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of scientific inquiry

12B. Know and apply concepts that describe how living things interact with each other and with their environment

12C. Know and apply concepts that describe properties of matter and energy and the interactions between them.

13A. Know and apply the accepted practices of sciences

13B. Know and apply concepts that describe the interaction between science, technology, and society

18A. Compare characteristics of culture as reflected in language, literature, the arts, traditions and institutions.

18B. Understand the roles and interactions of individuals and groups in society.