Inference I
Every day after work Paul took his muddy boots off on the steps of the front porch. Alice would have a fit if the boots made it so far as the welcome mat. He then took off his dusty overalls and threw them into a plastic garbage bag; Alice left a new garbage bag tied to the porch railing for him every morning. On his way in the house, he dropped the garbage bag off at the washing machine and went straight up the stairs to the shower as he was instructed. He would eat dinner with her after he was “presentable,” as Alice had often said.
What type of job does Paul do?
Construction, farming, etc.
“Tommy!” Mom called out as she walked in the front door. “Tommy,” she continued shouting, “I sure could use some help with these groceries. There was still no reply. Mom walked into the kitchen to put the grocery bags down on the counter when she noticed shattered glass from the picture window all over the living room floor and a baseball not far from there. “I’m going to kill you, Tommy!” Mom yelled to herself as she realized that Tommy’s shoes were gone.
What happened to the window?
The window broke
Today was a special day in Ms. Smith’s class. Some of the children were walking around the room, some of them were standing in small groups, and some of them were at their desks, putting finishing touches on cardboard mailboxes. After coloring a cool flame on the side of his racecar mailbox, Johnny hopped off his chair, strutted over to Veronica’s desk, and dropped a small white envelope into her princess castle mailbox. Veronica blushed and played with her hair. While this was happening, Bartleby was frantically trying to put a small white envelope into everyone’s mailbox. After giving one to Ms. Smith, Bartleby pulled out a medium-sized red envelope from his pocket. He blushed and tried to put it in Veronica’s mailbox, but it wouldn’t quite fit. Bartleby struggled with it for a few seconds and then ran off with the envelope. Veronica rolled her eyes and popped her gum.
Why is today a special day?
It's Valentine's Day
Today was a special day in Ms. Smith’s class. Some of the children were walking around the room, some of them were standing in small groups, and some of them were at their desks, putting finishing touches on cardboard mailboxes. After coloring a cool flame on the side of his racecar mailbox, Johnny hopped off his chair, strutted over to Veronica’s desk, and dropped a small white envelope into her princess castle mailbox. Veronica blushed and played with her hair. While this was happening, Bartleby was frantically trying to put a small white envelope into everyone’s mailbox. After giving one to Ms. Smith, Bartleby pulled out a medium-sized red envelope from his pocket. He blushed and tried to put it in Veronica’s mailbox, but it wouldn’t quite fit. Bartleby struggled with it for a few seconds and then ran off with the envelope. Veronica rolled her eyes and popped her gum.
Which boy does Veronica like?
Johnny
Today was a special day in Ms. Smith’s class. Some of the children were walking around the room, some of them were standing in small groups, and some of them were at their desks, putting finishing touches on cardboard mailboxes. After coloring a cool flame on the side of his racecar mailbox, Johnny hopped off his chair, strutted over to Veronica’s desk, and dropped a small white envelope into her princess castle mailbox. Veronica blushed and played with her hair. While this was happening, Bartleby was frantically trying to put a small white envelope into everyone’s mailbox. After giving one to Ms. Smith, Bartleby pulled out a medium-sized red envelope from his pocket. He blushed and tried to put it in Veronica’s mailbox, but it wouldn’t quite fit. Bartleby struggled with it for a few seconds and then ran off with the envelope. Veronica rolled her eyes and popped her gum.
Why did Bartleby run?
He was embarrassed that his special card for Veronica didn't fit nicely
Every day after work Paul took his muddy boots off on the steps of the front porch. Alice would have a fit if the boots made it so far as the welcome mat. He then took off his dusty overalls and threw them into a plastic garbage bag; Alice left a new garbage bag tied to the porch railing for him every morning. On his way in the house, he dropped the garbage bag off at the washing machine and went straight up the stairs to the shower as he was instructed. He would eat dinner with her after he was “presentable,” as Alice had often said.
Describe Alice:
Neat, organized, controlling, etc.
“Tommy!” Mom called out as she walked in the front door. “Tommy,” she continued shouting, “I sure could use some help with these groceries. There was still no reply. Mom walked into the kitchen to put the grocery bags down on the counter when she noticed shattered glass from the picture window all over the living room floor and a baseball not far from there. “I’m going to kill you, Tommy!” Mom yelled to herself as she realized that Tommy’s shoes were gone.
Why did Tommy leave?
He knew his mother would be angry/he'd get into trouble, etc.
Every day after work Paul took his muddy boots off on the steps of the front porch. Alice would have a fit if the boots made it so far as the welcome mat. He then took off his dusty overalls and threw them into a plastic garbage bag; Alice left a new garbage bag tied to the porch railing for him every morning. On his way in the house, he dropped the garbage bag off at the washing machine and went straight up the stairs to the shower as he was instructed. He would eat dinner with her after he was “presentable,” as Alice had often said.
What relationship do Paul and Alice have?
Partners
Crack! Thunder struck and rain poured. Max stared blankly out the window, trying to contain his emotions that raged like the weather. He was beginning to lose it. Dropping the kite from his hand, Max broke out into full sobs. His mother comforted him, “There, there, Max. We’ll just find something else to do.” She began to unpack the picnic basket that was on the counter and offered him a sandwich. Max snapped, “I don’t wanna sand-mich!” A flash from the sky lit up the living room. Boom! Mom sighed.
Why is Max upset?
He couldn't fly his kite
Crack! Thunder struck and rain poured. Max stared blankly out the window, trying to contain his emotions that raged like the weather. He was beginning to lose it. Dropping the kite from his hand, Max broke out into full sobs. His mother comforted him, “There, there, Max. We’ll just find something else to do.” She began to unpack the picnic basket that was on the counter and offered him a sandwich. Max snapped, “I don’t wanna sand-mich!” A flash from the sky lit up the living room. Boom! Mom sighed.
What was mom planning on doing today?
Take Max to the park for a picnic/kite flying
Collecting seashells is a hobby just about anyone can enjoy. Shelling brings both pleasure and learning opportunities to the collector. It appeals to our human fascination with the mysteries of the sea. Seashells come in many shapes, sizes, colors and patterns. Their natural beauty appeals to the artist in each of us.
Shell collecting is one of the oldest ways to learn about nature. People have collected shells since ancient Greek and Roman times. A shell collection was found in the ruins of Pompeii. Shelling is the second most popular collecting hobby after stamp collecting.
Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher, wrote about seashells. He invented the term “Mollusca,” meaning soft-bodied animals without backbones. The soft bodies of mollusks are protected by hard shells that serve as outer skeletons. There are two groups of mollusks, univalves and bivalves. Univalves have a one-piece shell, usually spiral in shape, and bivalves have two shells hinged together. Individuals who study and collect shells are called conchologists. They study the anatomy, life history, and habitat of mollusks.
Only a few mollusks can survive the shifting sands and heavy surf of sandy beaches. Most seashells found on beaches come from communities of mollusks that live in cooler in-shore waters like saltwater marshes. They thrive in soft sand and mucky mud flats. Shells are washed ashore by the winds, waves, and tides. The best time for seashell collecting on the beach is during the hour before and the hour after low tide or on the day after a storm.
Why do you think seashell collecting is a popular hobby?
It is an inexpensive and easy activity, people love the beauty of shells, seashell collectors enjoy being on the beach looking for shells
The midnight ride of Paul Revere is a famous American legend. We know that Revere rode through the streets of Boston to warn militiamen that the British troops were coming. But very few of us have ever heard of Sybil Ludington’s ride.
On April 26, 1777, sixteen year-old Sybil Ludington rode through the night. She alerted her neighbors and the local militia troops that the British were burning the city of Danbury. A British force of 2,000 men under General Tryon had landed in Connecticut. They marched west to Danbury, searching for Continental Army supplies. When British troop discipline broke down, the soldiers began to burn the city’s buildings. A Continental messenger rode from Danbury to inform Colonel Ludington of the British attack on Danbury.
Colonel Henry Ludington was commander of the 7th Regiment of the Duchess County Militia. When the messenger arrived at his home, Colonel Ludington began to organize his group of 400 militiamen. But exhausted and unfamiliar with the area, the Continental messenger could provide him little help.
Sybil was the oldest of Colonel Ludington’s twelve children. Armed with her father’s musket, Sybil set out on horseback to sound the alert. She had to beware of British soldiers, British Loyalists and outlaws. Sybil knocked on doors to spread the message. Her father’s men were to meet at daybreak. Village church bells rang out.
Prodding her horse with a stick, Sybil traveled 40 miles from home. When she returned at dawn, she was soaked with rain and exhausted. Thanks to young Sybil’s bravery and patriotism, the regiment was mustered before dawn.
Why did Sybil Ludington ride out to sound the alert?
She knew her way through the area, the messenger was exhausted and didn't know the area
The midnight ride of Paul Revere is a famous American legend. We know that Revere rode through the streets of Boston to warn militiamen that the British troops were coming. But very few of us have ever heard of Sybil Ludington’s ride.
On April 26, 1777, sixteen year-old Sybil Ludington rode through the night. She alerted her neighbors and the local militia troops that the British were burning the city of Danbury. A British force of 2,000 men under General Tryon had landed in Connecticut. They marched west to Danbury, searching for Continental Army supplies. When British troop discipline broke down, the soldiers began to burn the city’s buildings. A Continental messenger rode from Danbury to inform Colonel Ludington of the British attack on Danbury.
Colonel Henry Ludington was commander of the 7th Regiment of the Duchess County Militia. When the messenger arrived at his home, Colonel Ludington began to organize his group of 400 militiamen. But exhausted and unfamiliar with the area, the Continental messenger could provide him little help.
Sybil was the oldest of Colonel Ludington’s twelve children. Armed with her father’s musket, Sybil set out on horseback to sound the alert. She had to beware of British soldiers, British Loyalists and outlaws. Sybil knocked on doors to spread the message. Her father’s men were to meet at daybreak. Village church bells rang out.
Prodding her horse with a stick, Sybil traveled 40 miles from home. When she returned at dawn, she was soaked with rain and exhausted. Thanks to young Sybil’s bravery and patriotism, the regiment was mustered before dawn.
Based on Colonel Ludington's actions, how do you think he felt about his daughter's ability to do such an important and dangerous job?
He trusted her, he felt she was strong and smart enough to take care of herself and get the job done
The foods we eat have more to do with our culture than with our climate or location. Our acceptance of a food depends on where we grow up and how those around us feel about it rather than on a food’s nutritional value. Which foods are “delicious” or “disgusting” depends more on the dietary customs of our family and friends than on any other factor.
Some world cultures have no problem snacking on crickets or ants. At the same time, they consider consuming milk and cheese disgusting. Frozen chicken nuggets would be difficult to find in Sweden or Norway. However, Scandinavians enjoy Lutefisk, a dried and salted white fish preserved with lye, a chemical used in making soap. You may ask your waiter to return a bowl of soup with a fly in it to the kitchen, but people in other cultures eat insects as a normal part of their diet.
Today, Americans seem addicted to fast foods. Despite their poor nutritional value, our culture clamors for pizza, burgers, fried chicken, hot dogs and ice cream. Mouthwatering images on television and computer screens, in magazines and on billboards drive people into fast food restaurants in droves. Although frowned on by the medical community, greasy, salty, and starchy foods have become a staple in the American diet. The sugar, salt, and bad fats in prepared foods may be causing an obesity epidemic. Yet most Americans can’t seem to get enough.
Why do we cringe at the thought of eating boiled caterpillars or dry roasted grasshoppers? They are foods high in protein, vitamins, minerals, and low in fat. The reason is our culture, my fellow Americans… our culture.
As more people from different countries arrive in America, what happens to foods from different cultures?
They begin to blend into the American diet, they are slowly introduced into the American diet
In colonial times, farmers grew plump red tomatoes. Incredibly, no one ate them. Instead, tomatoes were used as decorations. Most people believed that tomatoes were deadly poison.
Well before colonial times, the Aztecs in Central American and the Incas in South America first grew tomatoes. Wild tomato plants can still be found in Peru’s mountains. Hundreds of years later, Cortez discovered tomatoes in gardens in Mexico. But tomatoes did not come from Mexico. Spanish explorers brought tomatoes back to Europe and the Caribbean. From there, early colonists brought them to America.
Except for its fruit, all parts of a tomato plant are poisonous. Early botanists noticed that the tomato plant closely resembled a poisonous plant known as deadly nightshade. Later, a European botanist classified the tomato as a “wolf peach.” This name linked the misunderstood tomato to poison and werewolf superstition. Much later, botanists changed their views and renamed the tomato the “edible peach.”
Why did people believe that tomatoes were poisonous? Until the 1800s, rich people ate with pewter flatware off pewter plates. Acidic foods, like tomatoes, caused lead to leach out of the pewter into their food. This caused lead poisoning and death. Poor people ate from wooden plates, so they were not afraid to eat tomatoes.
By the 1800s, tomato seeds were sold in catalogs. It seemed like everyone was growing them by the year 1824. Joseph Campbell built his empire on tomato soup. Tomato ketchup became extremely popular. By the turn of the 20th century, waves of European immigrants brought tomato recipes to North America. Tomatoes were absorbed into American kitchens. Now, the average American eats twenty pounds of tomatoes per year.
Why didn't poor people who ate tomatoes off of wooden plates get poisoned?
Lead did not leach out into their food as it did off the pewter plates of the rich people
Collecting seashells is a hobby just about anyone can enjoy. Shelling brings both pleasure and learning opportunities to the collector. It appeals to our human fascination with the mysteries of the sea. Seashells come in many shapes, sizes, colors and patterns. Their natural beauty appeals to the artist in each of us.
Shell collecting is one of the oldest ways to learn about nature. People have collected shells since ancient Greek and Roman times. A shell collection was found in the ruins of Pompeii. Shelling is the second most popular collecting hobby after stamp collecting.
Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher, wrote about seashells. He invented the term “Mollusca,” meaning soft-bodied animals without backbones. The soft bodies of mollusks are protected by hard shells that serve as outer skeletons. There are two groups of mollusks, univalves and bivalves. Univalves have a one-piece shell, usually spiral in shape, and bivalves have two shells hinged together. Individuals who study and collect shells are called conchologists. They study the anatomy, life history, and habitat of mollusks.
Only a few mollusks can survive the shifting sands and heavy surf of sandy beaches. Most seashells found on beaches come from communities of mollusks that live in cooler in-shore waters like saltwater marshes. They thrive in soft sand and mucky mud flats. Shells are washed ashore by the winds, waves, and tides. The best time for seashell collecting on the beach is during the hour before and the hour after low tide or on the day after a storm.
Why do we find seashells on the beach if most mollusks don't live there?
They are washed on shore by the tides and waves, the tides pull the shells out of their homes and then waves/tides push them up on the beach
The midnight ride of Paul Revere is a famous American legend. We know that Revere rode through the streets of Boston to warn militiamen that the British troops were coming. But very few of us have ever heard of Sybil Ludington’s ride.
On April 26, 1777, sixteen year-old Sybil Ludington rode through the night. She alerted her neighbors and the local militia troops that the British were burning the city of Danbury. A British force of 2,000 men under General Tryon had landed in Connecticut. They marched west to Danbury, searching for Continental Army supplies. When British troop discipline broke down, the soldiers began to burn the city’s buildings. A Continental messenger rode from Danbury to inform Colonel Ludington of the British attack on Danbury.
Colonel Henry Ludington was commander of the 7th Regiment of the Duchess County Militia. When the messenger arrived at his home, Colonel Ludington began to organize his group of 400 militiamen. But exhausted and unfamiliar with the area, the Continental messenger could provide him little help.
Sybil was the oldest of Colonel Ludington’s twelve children. Armed with her father’s musket, Sybil set out on horseback to sound the alert. She had to beware of British soldiers, British Loyalists and outlaws. Sybil knocked on doors to spread the message. Her father’s men were to meet at daybreak. Village church bells rang out.
Prodding her horse with a stick, Sybil traveled 40 miles from home. When she returned at dawn, she was soaked with rain and exhausted. Thanks to young Sybil’s bravery and patriotism, the regiment was mustered before dawn.
Why do you think that the story of Sybil Ludington is not as well-known as Paul Revere's ride?
The city of Danbury was not as important as Boston, Paul Revere was better-known/more famous at that time in history
The foods we eat have more to do with our culture than with our climate or location. Our acceptance of a food depends on where we grow up and how those around us feel about it rather than on a food’s nutritional value. Which foods are “delicious” or “disgusting” depends more on the dietary customs of our family and friends than on any other factor.
Some world cultures have no problem snacking on crickets or ants. At the same time, they consider consuming milk and cheese disgusting. Frozen chicken nuggets would be difficult to find in Sweden or Norway. However, Scandinavians enjoy Lutefisk, a dried and salted white fish preserved with lye, a chemical used in making soap. You may ask your waiter to return a bowl of soup with a fly in it to the kitchen, but people in other cultures eat insects as a normal part of their diet.
Today, Americans seem addicted to fast foods. Despite their poor nutritional value, our culture clamors for pizza, burgers, fried chicken, hot dogs and ice cream. Mouthwatering images on television and computer screens, in magazines and on billboards drive people into fast food restaurants in droves. Although frowned on by the medical community, greasy, salty, and starchy foods have become a staple in the American diet. The sugar, salt, and bad fats in prepared foods may be causing an obesity epidemic. Yet most Americans can’t seem to get enough.
Why do we cringe at the thought of eating boiled caterpillars or dry roasted grasshoppers? They are foods high in protein, vitamins, minerals, and low in fat. The reason is our culture, my fellow Americans… our culture.
How do American corporations promote fast food and processed food?
By appealing to people through advertising, packaging, and media
In colonial times, farmers grew plump red tomatoes. Incredibly, no one ate them. Instead, tomatoes were used as decorations. Most people believed that tomatoes were deadly poison.
Well before colonial times, the Aztecs in Central American and the Incas in South America first grew tomatoes. Wild tomato plants can still be found in Peru’s mountains. Hundreds of years later, Cortez discovered tomatoes in gardens in Mexico. But tomatoes did not come from Mexico. Spanish explorers brought tomatoes back to Europe and the Caribbean. From there, early colonists brought them to America.
Except for its fruit, all parts of a tomato plant are poisonous. Early botanists noticed that the tomato plant closely resembled a poisonous plant known as deadly nightshade. Later, a European botanist classified the tomato as a “wolf peach.” This name linked the misunderstood tomato to poison and werewolf superstition. Much later, botanists changed their views and renamed the tomato the “edible peach.”
Why did people believe that tomatoes were poisonous? Until the 1800s, rich people ate with pewter flatware off pewter plates. Acidic foods, like tomatoes, caused lead to leach out of the pewter into their food. This caused lead poisoning and death. Poor people ate from wooden plates, so they were not afraid to eat tomatoes.
By the 1800s, tomato seeds were sold in catalogs. It seemed like everyone was growing them by the year 1824. Joseph Campbell built his empire on tomato soup. Tomato ketchup became extremely popular. By the turn of the 20th century, waves of European immigrants brought tomato recipes to North America. Tomatoes were absorbed into American kitchens. Now, the average American eats twenty pounds of tomatoes per year.
Why was everyone growing tomatoes by 1824?
Because they were easy to get, people no longer ate off of pewter plates, everyone knew that tomatoes were not poisonous, it was easy to purchase seeds and grow them
When Carlos was a toddler, he enjoyed playing in the sand. Sitting in the sunshine, cooled by the ocean breeze, feeling the grit of sand between his fingers and toes was the best part of summer for Carlos.
Young Carlos learned how to mix the right amount of water with dry sand to make the sand grains stick together to hold the shape of a container. If the sand was too dry or too wet, it would cave in or landslide. Carlos loved making sandcastles, decorating them with seashells and carving out wide moats around them. Then he’d watch and wait for the tide to come in and wash his creation out to sea.
As years passed, Carlos traded plastic shovels and buckets for sand molds and sturdier tools. He’d fill large buckets with seawater and haul them up the beach. Using containers of various shapes and sizes, his sand structures grew taller, wider and much more elaborate. Carlos learned to mix sand with more water and dribble slurry from above to create fancy drip castles. More and more beachgoers began stopping by to admire his extraordinary creations.
Now Carlos uses just his hands, seawater, and sand to create magnificent sand sculpture lobsters, dragons, dinosaurs, and other huge animals. He may add details with beach grass or materials that have washed ashore. Some competitive sand sculpture artists spend days creating their masterpieces. Carlos continues to practice his technique and plans to enter a sand sculpture contest next September.
When do you think Carlos first realized that he had a special talent for sand art?
When beachgoers began stopping by to admire his sand art, when people began telling him how good his sand sculptures were
Collecting seashells is a hobby just about anyone can enjoy. Shelling brings both pleasure and learning opportunities to the collector. It appeals to our human fascination with the mysteries of the sea. Seashells come in many shapes, sizes, colors and patterns. Their natural beauty appeals to the artist in each of us.
Shell collecting is one of the oldest ways to learn about nature. People have collected shells since ancient Greek and Roman times. A shell collection was found in the ruins of Pompeii. Shelling is the second most popular collecting hobby after stamp collecting.
Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher, wrote about seashells. He invented the term “Mollusca,” meaning soft-bodied animals without backbones. The soft bodies of mollusks are protected by hard shells that serve as outer skeletons. There are two groups of mollusks, univalves and bivalves. Univalves have a one-piece shell, usually spiral in shape, and bivalves have two shells hinged together. Individuals who study and collect shells are called conchologists. They study the anatomy, life history, and habitat of mollusks.
Only a few mollusks can survive the shifting sands and heavy surf of sandy beaches. Most seashells found on beaches come from communities of mollusks that live in cooler in-shore waters like saltwater marshes. They thrive in soft sand and mucky mud flats. Shells are washed ashore by the winds, waves, and tides. The best time for seashell collecting on the beach is during the hour before and the hour after low tide or on the day after a storm.
Why do you think that many state parks and wildlife refuges prohibit the taking of a live shell?
It could seriously reduce the mollusk population, if too many live shells are taken it could endanger the species
The midnight ride of Paul Revere is a famous American legend. We know that Revere rode through the streets of Boston to warn militiamen that the British troops were coming. But very few of us have ever heard of Sybil Ludington’s ride.
On April 26, 1777, sixteen year-old Sybil Ludington rode through the night. She alerted her neighbors and the local militia troops that the British were burning the city of Danbury. A British force of 2,000 men under General Tryon had landed in Connecticut. They marched west to Danbury, searching for Continental Army supplies. When British troop discipline broke down, the soldiers began to burn the city’s buildings. A Continental messenger rode from Danbury to inform Colonel Ludington of the British attack on Danbury.
Colonel Henry Ludington was commander of the 7th Regiment of the Duchess County Militia. When the messenger arrived at his home, Colonel Ludington began to organize his group of 400 militiamen. But exhausted and unfamiliar with the area, the Continental messenger could provide him little help.
Sybil was the oldest of Colonel Ludington’s twelve children. Armed with her father’s musket, Sybil set out on horseback to sound the alert. She had to beware of British soldiers, British Loyalists and outlaws. Sybil knocked on doors to spread the message. Her father’s men were to meet at daybreak. Village church bells rang out.
Prodding her horse with a stick, Sybil traveled 40 miles from home. When she returned at dawn, she was soaked with rain and exhausted. Thanks to young Sybil’s bravery and patriotism, the regiment was mustered before dawn.
What does the story of Sybil Ludington tell us about the role of women during wartime?
That even a sixteen-year-old girl can make an important contribution toward winning a battle or a war, some women played important roles in winning the war with the British
The foods we eat have more to do with our culture than with our climate or location. Our acceptance of a food depends on where we grow up and how those around us feel about it rather than on a food’s nutritional value. Which foods are “delicious” or “disgusting” depends more on the dietary customs of our family and friends than on any other factor.
Some world cultures have no problem snacking on crickets or ants. At the same time, they consider consuming milk and cheese disgusting. Frozen chicken nuggets would be difficult to find in Sweden or Norway. However, Scandinavians enjoy Lutefisk, a dried and salted white fish preserved with lye, a chemical used in making soap. You may ask your waiter to return a bowl of soup with a fly in it to the kitchen, but people in other cultures eat insects as a normal part of their diet.
Today, Americans seem addicted to fast foods. Despite their poor nutritional value, our culture clamors for pizza, burgers, fried chicken, hot dogs and ice cream. Mouthwatering images on television and computer screens, in magazines and on billboards drive people into fast food restaurants in droves. Although frowned on by the medical community, greasy, salty, and starchy foods have become a staple in the American diet. The sugar, salt, and bad fats in prepared foods may be causing an obesity epidemic. Yet most Americans can’t seem to get enough.
Why do we cringe at the thought of eating boiled caterpillars or dry roasted grasshoppers? They are foods high in protein, vitamins, minerals, and low in fat. The reason is our culture, my fellow Americans… our culture.
Why would most Americans be repulsed by the thought of eating insects?
They are not part of our food culture, we were raised to think of them as slimy, dirty creatures instead of as food
In colonial times, farmers grew plump red tomatoes. Incredibly, no one ate them. Instead, tomatoes were used as decorations. Most people believed that tomatoes were deadly poison.
Well before colonial times, the Aztecs in Central American and the Incas in South America first grew tomatoes. Wild tomato plants can still be found in Peru’s mountains. Hundreds of years later, Cortez discovered tomatoes in gardens in Mexico. But tomatoes did not come from Mexico. Spanish explorers brought tomatoes back to Europe and the Caribbean. From there, early colonists brought them to America.
Except for its fruit, all parts of a tomato plant are poisonous. Early botanists noticed that the tomato plant closely resembled a poisonous plant known as deadly nightshade. Later, a European botanist classified the tomato as a “wolf peach.” This name linked the misunderstood tomato to poison and werewolf superstition. Much later, botanists changed their views and renamed the tomato the “edible peach.”
Why did people believe that tomatoes were poisonous? Until the 1800s, rich people ate with pewter flatware off pewter plates. Acidic foods, like tomatoes, caused lead to leach out of the pewter into their food. This caused lead poisoning and death. Poor people ate from wooden plates, so they were not afraid to eat tomatoes.
By the 1800s, tomato seeds were sold in catalogs. It seemed like everyone was growing them by the year 1824. Joseph Campbell built his empire on tomato soup. Tomato ketchup became extremely popular. By the turn of the 20th century, waves of European immigrants brought tomato recipes to North America. Tomatoes were absorbed into American kitchens. Now, the average American eats twenty pounds of tomatoes per year.
Early 20th century immigrants brought something with them that made the tomato a staple food of the American diet. What do you think they brought?
Traditional foods/recipes that contained tomato
When Carlos was a toddler, he enjoyed playing in the sand. Sitting in the sunshine, cooled by the ocean breeze, feeling the grit of sand between his fingers and toes was the best part of summer for Carlos.
Young Carlos learned how to mix the right amount of water with dry sand to make the sand grains stick together to hold the shape of a container. If the sand was too dry or too wet, it would cave in or landslide. Carlos loved making sandcastles, decorating them with seashells and carving out wide moats around them. Then he’d watch and wait for the tide to come in and wash his creation out to sea.
As years passed, Carlos traded plastic shovels and buckets for sand molds and sturdier tools. He’d fill large buckets with seawater and haul them up the beach. Using containers of various shapes and sizes, his sand structures grew taller, wider and much more elaborate. Carlos learned to mix sand with more water and dribble slurry from above to create fancy drip castles. More and more beachgoers began stopping by to admire his extraordinary creations.
Now Carlos uses just his hands, seawater, and sand to create magnificent sand sculpture lobsters, dragons, dinosaurs, and other huge animals. He may add details with beach grass or materials that have washed ashore. Some competitive sand sculpture artists spend days creating their masterpieces. Carlos continues to practice his technique and plans to enter a sand sculpture contest next September.
Although Carlos's sand art changed as years went by, what did not seem to change?
His enjoyment of the sand, the satisfaction and joy he got from creating sand sculptures, the high quality of his work