Haitian Culture Curriculum Guide

This park has a wide selection of exotic and tropical trees grown all over the world, particularly
tropical islands.
• Teachers can request pamphlets and information about exotic/tropical Floridian trees by
writing to: Agriculture Division and Extension Education Division, 3245 College Ave., Davie,
Florida 33314.
Procedures/Activities:
1. Discuss the importance of trees in general. Then, discuss why exotic and tropical trees are
necessary. Discuss what are their uses and why is it necessary to grow those trees. Show the
slides and photographs from the Haitian Culture Curriculum Guide make reference to
exotic/tropical trees shown on the slides/photographs.
2. Discuss the types of fruit trees grown in Florida. Compare various types of trees and/or fruit
trees grown in Haiti with the ones in Florida. Read the story of My Friend the Tree by Roger
Savain. Use a Venn Diagram or other types of organizers.
An example of an exotic fruit tree grown in Haiti and Florida is the Carambola tree. It is also
known as a Star Apple tree. Ask why do you think it is called a Star Apple. Also, coconut
trees are another good example to use.
3. Have the students locate pictures from nature magazines of various types of trees that grow in
tropical islands and Florida. Have the students create a portfolio of pictures. Then, have
students work in small cooperative groups and research two or three types of trees grown in
Haiti and Florida. Finally, have them draw the trees and explain to the class the uses and why
these trees are necessary for our environment and livelihood.
As a creative and critical thinking skill activity, have the students present it in a “Informative
News Format.” They can pretend to be an environmentalist or agronomist being interviewed
by Channel 10 news commentators. The trees could be drawn on poster board, mural style, or
overhead transparencies.
Have them outline the information and create a short script delineating the information that is
going to be presented to the class. Videotape the session for future reference. Start a videotape
library with informational news and facts.
4. Brainstorm some ideas on how the class could help save these exotic and tropical trees from
possible extinction. Ask questions, such as: What if the citrus trees were in possible danger of
extinction, what would you do?; What would we do if the Florida orange and grapefruit trees
needed to be cut down due to some “unusual” disease it contracted?; What would you do to
try to save the Florida orange and grapefruit trees and what kind of impact will it have for
Floridians and the world?; What kind of campaigning would the class do to save the trees?;
How will it effect people who use citrus fruits on a daily basis for cooking, daily food intake,
etc.?; How will it effect our economy?
Have the students create a plan of action to save those trees and/or any trees from extinction.
Have them write to various environmental organizations and fruit growing businesses that
specialize in citrus fruits. Think about local fruit growers like Indian River. Write to your
local and state agriculture division for pamphlets and information.
Assessment:
• Final projects: Information news script and oral presentation as well as the action plan.
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