#2507. Edible Map

Social Studies, level: Elementary
Posted Tue Mar 5 09:18:55 PST 2002 by Margaret (landmferguson@cableone.net).
substitute elem. teacher, Clarkston, USA
Materials Required: smooth peanut butter, powdered milk, powdered sugar, white corn syrup, choc. chips, M&M's, icing
Activity Time: 30 min. to 1 hour (depends on grade level )
Concepts Taught: geography, measuring, following directions

BEFORE DOING THIS WITH A CLASS, MAKE SURE NO ONE IS ALLERGIC TO PEANUTS OR CHOCOLATE.
Mix together in large bowl:
2 C smooth peanut butter, 2 1/2 C powdered milk, 2 1/2 C powdered sugar, 2 C white corn syrup. (Students can do the measuring.)
Have on hand: 1 pkg chocolate chips, 1 package M&Ms, can of white icing, 1-2 tubes of blue icing, blue sugar sprinkles, table knife.
Also, roll of waxed paper and 8 1/2 x 11 outline (one for each student) of the map you want them to make. (state, country, etc.)
DIRECTIONS: give each student a piece of waxed paper large enough to cover their desk top, and the outline of the map you are studying. Give each student a glop of the peanut butter mixture, have them spread it out to the edges of the outlined map. Use 1 color M&M to locate the state/country capital, the other colors for major cities (if desired). Use a few choc. chips to represent major mountain ranges. Spread white icing thinly for oceans, seas, lakes, etc. and sprinkle with blue sugar. Use tube icing (blue) for major rivers.
When maps are finished, discuss them.
Then eat them.