"Which Brand is Iodized?"
|
Main Message: "Tambala is a brand name of iodized salt." [Tambala can be replaced with other |
Objective: By participating in this activity, children will learn the brands of locally available iodized salt.
Materials
Small plates or sheets of paper
Pencil, crayon, marker
Paper
A salt testing kit. The kit includes: Iodine testing solution and re-check solution. (Salt testing kits may be available)
Knowledge Component: Iodine is needed in our diet for us to develop to our full intellectual potential. Since iodine is not found in many foods, some companies have added it to salt to ensure that we eat iodine. Why do you think they added iodine to salt? [Because salt is eaten by everyone.] However, not all salt that is available in the market contains iodine. Some salt contain iodine and some does not. Additionally, some companies do a better job of iodizing salt.
Today we are going to find out which company (brand) iodizes their salt the right way so you will know which salt to buy when you go shopping with your family.
Instructions
-
Review the previous lesson by asking, "What was the main message from the previous lesson? ["I need iodine so my mind and body can grow as it should."]
-
To begin today's lesson, discuss the knowledge component with children. After you have completed the discussion, ask the children if they have any questions before continuing. Take a few moments to write the main message on the chalk board. Ask the children to read it out loud and have all the children write down in their notebooks. Tell the class that this is the most important piece of information to remember from today's lesson.
-
Show the children brand name bags of salt that are adequately iodized. You may need to test these bags before the class period to make sure they are properly iodized. Write the brand names of the salt on the board. Pass the bags around the class so each child gets to see the bags and then display the bags at the front of the classroom. Additionally, bring in bags of salt that are un-iodized and salt that is from a large pail or bucket from the market. You will also test this salt as well so children see what happens when the salt does not contain iodine. (Note: Salt from a large bucket from a market may or may not contain iodine.)
-
Explain to the children that they will be doing a class experiment. They are going to find out which bags of salt actually contain iodine and which ones do not. Explain to the children that you will be placing two solutions on the salt and if the salt turns purple, it contains enough iodine. If the salt does not turn purple, the salt does not contain enough iodine.
-
Place a small amount of salt from each bag on either a small plate or separate sheet of paper. Write the name of the salt (brand name) on a sheet of paper and whether or not it is iodized or not, and then place it next to the salt sample. Depending on the size of the class, you may want to divide the children into many different groups. You want each child to be able to see the testing of the salt. If you have more that one group, you will have to set up the salt display for each group. Then you could go to each group individually and do the testing. Ask the group to watch you closely - which solution you choose and how much of the solution you put on the salt - because they will also be doing this tomorrow!
-
You have been given two tubes with solution in them to test the salt. First, you must use the tube with the green top. Place a few drops of this solution on the salt. If the salt does not turn purple, you must then use the re-check solution - the solution that comes in the container with the red top and says "re-check" solution. Place a few drops of the "re-check" solution on the salt. Wait a few seconds, and if the salt turns purple, then it is properly iodized. If the salt does not turn purple, it is not iodized. It only takes a few seconds for the salt to turn purple. The purple color should be a medium to dark purple.
-
Put all the bags of salt on a table or at the front of the room and ask the children to pick brands of salt that are adequately iodized. Write the names of these brands on the board. Then ask the children to draw a picture of the bags of iodized salt with crayons or markers.
Follow-Up Activities
-
Ask the children if they know which bags their family uses.
-
Ask the children which brand of iodized salt did they draw.
-
Finish the lesson by asking a child to re-state the main message.
Suggestions for At Home Activities
-
Tell the children to bring home their drawing of bags of iodized salt and show them to their family. They should mention to their mothers that this is the bag of salt (brand name) the family should be buying.
-
Tell the children that they will be doing the same type of experiment with their own salt tomorrow. Ask them to ask their parents if they can bring in a small sample or their salt to it can be tested.
Suggestions for Teachers
-
You can combine activities 2 and 3 if you like. Make sure to tell the children to bring a sample of salt from home the day before the activity.
-
If you are unable to find iodized salt, use sugar just as a guide in demonstrating to the children how the color doesn't change for un-iodized "salt".
Adapted from N. Umemoto,
An Educational Curriculum on Iodized Salt in Guatemala
