Overview Flowering plants produce seeds encased in fruit. There are three common kinds of fruits -- berries, drupes, and pomes. Oranges, grapes, and tomatoes are berries. Their seeds are embedded in the flesh of the fruit. Peaches and plums are drupes. Drupes have one seed enclosed in a hard case surrounded by flesh. Apples and pears are pomes. Pomes have several seeds enclosed in a core surrounded by flesh.

Purpose This activity will make children have a good understanding of the classification of fruits into berries, drupes and pomes.

Objectives Children will be able to:

iii. Classify fruits into berries, drupes, and pomes.

Resources/Materials

A sharp knife.

Activities and Procedures

Teaching methods and activities

For many students science has no real meaning if material is covered by the read and discuss method. A hands--on approach is a wonderful way to teach a concept.

1. Demonstration ? show your students a one?half piece of each of the fruits. Help them observe and identify the placement of the seeds in each piece of fruit. Then have students group the fruits according to how the seeds are enclosed. You may wish to introduce the words berry, drupe, and pome to your students. If so, explain that many fruits commonly called berries are not berries according to the scientific definition.

II. Exploration ? give each group three pieces of fruit (one berry, one drupe, and one pome), a plastic knife, and a piece of plastic. It may be helpful to precut the fruit for your students. Have students cut their fruit apart on the plastic, count the number of seeds in each piece, and record their observations on a worksheet.

Tying it all together There are many fruits found in farms and in the wild in many African countries. Some of these fruits are sold in markets and by the way side. Using the above classification into berries, drupes, and pomes, the fruits in Africa can also be classified. The teacher should find out if other forms of classification are used to classify fruits in their country.

Assessment The teacher should encourage the children to come up with their own classification of fruits presented to them. The point to be emphasized is that there should be consistency in the approach.

Suggestions/Modifications

• The students can make pictures of all different kinds of fruit and decorate the classroom.
• Students may eat the fruits when they finish exploring their properties.
• Students may make costumes to represent different fruits and wear them for a day.