Entry 1 On The Trip: Maple Trees

Trees are very important to us and have many uses. Trees provide oxygen for us to breath. Trees are also natural resources that are used for many thinks like lumber, heat sources, and paper. Some trees are a source of  food as well. One of the sweetest things that comes from trees is maple syrup.  There are several types of maple trees but the best syrup comes from the sugar maple tree. The legend about how maple syrup was discovered was that a Native American chief hit his tomahawk into a tree and water came out. His wife took the water home to boil food in it thinking it was plain water. It was not! It was maple syrup water. Today maple syrup is a wonderful, flavorful natural resource. A tree should be at least 50 years old before you can tap it for sugar water. There are only a few months out of the year when maple syrup can be tapped from the trees.  A hole is put into the tree and a tap is then slid into the maple tree with a bucket underneath to catch the sugar water.  Once the sugar water is collected it can be made into several things.  It can be boiled to make syrup. Spotza can also a be made by swirling the syrup in cold water, which makes a taffy.  After mixing up the syrup for a time, maple sugar can also be made.  The darker the syrup is, the better the flavor of the syrup.  (Content)

For this lesson we would begin by showing the video clip How Do I Tap A Maple Tree on YouTube from the University of Maine. CC.8.5.6-8.G  After watching the video clip ask students to recall the instruments used to tap a maple tree. (DOK 1) CC.1.5.2.A Demonstrate for students how to make maple syrup from the directions given to us at Somerset Historical Center.  While demonstrating how to boil the syrup from the sugar water do some math problems with students.  Show students how to read a thermometer. Also explain to students that it takes at least 40-50 bottles of sugar water to make 1 gallon of syrup. Have students calculate  how many bottles of sugar water it would take to make 2 gallons of maple syrup. (DOK 4) As the sugar boils have students observe and write down the what they see. Hypothesize what they think will happen after the sugar water boils.  (DOK 3) After the water boils pour it into a wooden bowl.  Then begin to stir it.  Tell students to observe what is occurring while stirring the syrup and jot down notes about it.  After the syrup turns to sugar have students discuss if their predictions were correct about what would happen or not. (DOK 2). CC.8.6.6-8.F  For the ending activity allow students taste the maple sugar. Have them make a 3 part foldable showing the stages from sugar water, to syrup, to maple sugar. (Creative Idea) CC.8.5.6-8.C 

Domains: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 4e, 4f