side by side image of chocolate and vanilla pudding
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The Truth Behind Chocolate and Vanilla

Where do we get these two yummy flavors? The truth may surprise you!

By Monique D. Hall
From the September 2020 Issue
Lexiles: 410L
Guided Reading Level: I
DRA Level: 16
Vocabulary: fruit, seed
Common Core Standards
  • RI.2.4 Vocabulary, RI.2.5 Nonfiction text features, RI.2.9 Compare two texts on a similar topic, RI.2.10 Read grade 2- appropriate informational text, SL.2 Participate in conversations about grade 2 texts, L.2.4.a Use sentence-level context as a clue to a word’s meaning
TEKS Standards
  • Social Studies
    (10) Economics. The student understands the roles of producers and consumers in the production of goods and services. The student is expected to: (C) examine the development of a product from a natural resource to a finished product.

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Rich, Tasty Chocolate

Where does it come from?

BSIP/UNIVERSAL IMAGES GROUP VIA GETTY IMAGES

Cacao fruits grow on the branches of cacao trees.

Chocolate comes from a tree! Brown fruits grow on cacao (kuh-KOW) trees. The fruits have seeds inside. People use these seeds to make chocolate.

Chocolate comes from a tree. Brown fruits grow on cacao (kuh-KOW) trees. The fruits have seeds inside. People use these seeds to make chocolate.

How is it made?

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An open cacao fruit

When the fruits are ready, people pick them from the trees. Then, people scoop out the seeds. They lay them out to dry. Later, they crush the seeds.

People pick the fruit when it is ready. Then people take out the seeds. They lay them out to dry. People crush the seeds.

Time for Treats!

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Next, it’s time to make chocolate. People use the crushed seeds. They can add sugar, milk, and vanilla to them. Do you like any of these chocolate treats?

It’s time to make chocolate. People use the crushed seeds. They add sugar. They add milk. They add vanilla. Do you like any of these treats?

Sweet, Creamy Vanilla

Where does it come from?

MARTIN GABRIEL/NPL/MINDEN PICTURES

Vanilla fruits have itty-bitty seeds in them. They are as tiny as dust!

Vanilla comes from a plant. Long, green fruits grow on vanilla plants. People use the insides of the fruits to make vanilla treats.

Vanilla comes from vanilla plants. Vanilla fruits are long and green. People use the insides to make vanilla treats.

How is it made?

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When the fruits are ready, people pick them. Next, they dip the fruits in hot water. Then, they lay them out to dry. The fruits turn dark brown. People scoop out the insides.

People pick the fruits. They dip the fruits in hot water. Then they dry them. The fruits turn dark brown. People take out the insides.

Time for treats!

ISTOCKPHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

People use the insides to make goodies. They make vanilla pudding, cookies, cupcakes, and ice cream. Which one is your favorite?

People use the insides to make treats. They make many vanilla treats. Which one do you like best?

THINK AND WRITE

Check out this skill-building sheet about this article.

THINK AND WRITE

Check out this skill-building sheet about this article.

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Activities (3)
Skills Activities
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More About the Article

Social Studies Focus

Production, distribution, and consumption

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
Download the Lesson Plan

1. BEFORE READING

Preview Vocabulary (3-15 minutes)

  • Play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are fruit and seed.

Preview the article and set a purpose for reading (15 minutes)

  • Read the Think and Read prompt on page 18: “As you read, think about how chocolate and vanilla are alike and different.”
  • Activate prior knowledge by asking kids to brainstorm in advance how they think chocolate and vanilla are alike and different. Write their ideas on chart paper.
  • Encourage children to think about how chocolate and vanilla are alike and different as they read.

2. READ THE PAIRED TEXTS (15-30 MINUTES)

  • You can read these articles aloud together as a class, in small groups, or individually.
  • Point out that there is a lot to compare about these two delicious treats! The subheads are the same on each side. That helps kids see how the two treats are alike and different.

3. AFTER READING

Assessment Quiz (10 minutes)

  • Pass out the quiz to assess students’ comprehension of the article.

ELA Focus: Key Details (20 minutes)

  • It’s time to help Nosey fill out her Fact File! 
  • The fact boxes are scaffolded to help kids know what to write. Kids can share their facts with a partner, the other students at their tables, or the class.

ELA Focus: Compare and Contrast (15 minutes)

  • Pass out our Venn diagram to help kids compare and contrast chocolate and vanilla.

Text-to-Speech