Use the Exploration Wheel template as a tool to introduce students to the featured fruit or vegetable. This will help set the stage for ways in which students can explore, taste, and learn about it. HOW TO USE IT: The Exploration Wheel can be used in conjunction with these educator newsletter activities: Taste Testing Reasons to Eat Botanical Facts Home Grown Facts Just the Facts A Slice of History Begin exploration of the featured produce by asking questions like these, starting outside of the wheel and working towards the center: Have you seen it? Have you seen the fruit or vegetable in a supermarket, farmers’ market, or garden? Have you tasted it? Have you eaten the fruit or vegetable? How did you eat it? Has a family member given it to you to try? What does it taste like? Give students the opportunity to experience the featured produce with all of their senses, following the instructions outlined in the Taste Testing activity. How do you like to eat it? Now that you’ve tasted it, what is the best way you like to eat it? If you were going to eat it at home, how would you cook or prepare it? Would you eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack? Reasons to Eat Talk about the nutrition facts and health benefits of eating a ½ cup serving of the fruit or vegetable. Home Grown Facts Discuss the growing regions and commercial production of the featured produce in California. Just the Facts Share fun, interesting or lesser-known facts about the fruit or vegetable. Have students investigate to learn more about the featured produce item. Botanical Facts Talk about how the fruit or vegetable is grown and other botanical information. A Slice of History Provide a general overview and historical timeline of the featured produce. GET STARTED: 1.Customize the Exploration Wheel template by inserting the name and image of the featured fruit or vegetable into the center of the wheel. 2.Print one copy per student doing the activity. 3.Distribute Exploration Wheels and have students complete their handouts. ✔ Helpful Hint: If limited on resources to print organizers, have students create their own using pencil and paper. EXPLORATION WHEEL

[INSERT NAME AND IMAGE OF THE FEATURED PRODUCE] A Slice of History Reasons to EatHome Grown Facts Just the Facts Botanical Facts Have you tasted it? Have you seen it? How do you like to eat it? What does it taste like?

Sweet Potatoes A Slice of History Christopher Columbus brought sweet potatoes back to Europe after his 1492 trip to the Americas. George Washington Carver, formally a black slave, created 100 new products out of sweet potatoes, including flour and ink. Reasons to Eat Has lots of vitamin A and vitamin C. More nutritious when cooked in the skin. Home Grown Facts California ranks third in the U.S. for growing sweet potatoes. Just the Facts The average American eats about 4 pounds of sweet potatoes every year. The sweet potato is ranked as one of the “best” foods to eat. Botanical Facts Perennial plant of the Morning Glory family (same as tomatoes), grown for its tuberous roots. It is not the same as a yam, which is a tuber (like a potato). Have you tasted it? Yes and I really liked it! Have you seen it? Yes, in the supermarket. It’s brown, long, rough on outside; bright orange on the inside. What does it taste like? Just like the name—sweet, with the texture of a potato and a bit of earthiness. How do you like to eat it? 1. Roasted in the skins, rubbed in some olive oil. 2. Puréed in soup. SAMPLE