I am having a blast writing a column for the Old Schoolhouse magazine called the International Schoolhouse.  In the article, I get the chance to share with you about the landscape, the history and the culture of the highlighted country, in this case Brazil.  However, there is so much to tell that simply overflows a 1500 word article that I have decided to compile the remainder of the information as a unit study for you. 

If you do not subscribe to the Old Schoolhouse magazine, you can read a sample issue here - http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com.  Or better yet, subscribe here - The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC - and get the spring issue this month with the Brazil article that I have written, plus many, many more wonderful articles of encouragement from other inspirational authors.  It is their best issue yet.  Oh, and did I mention that you get 25 free gifts with your new subscription.

Okay, so now that you have read the article, it's time to dive in for some hands-on learning to cement your student's growing knowledge of this South American country.

3. MAPWORK - A unit study would not be complete without taking a good look at the lay of the land.  Click here for both a labeled and unlabeled map of Brazil.  Have your students mark some of the major cities, the neighboring countries, and the ocean to the east, at the least.  For older students, have them use your teacher's map and fill in the rest!

4. RECIPES - This is my favorite part - the food from the land!  I'm not very familiar with Brazilian cuisine, or any South American cuisine for that matter.  But these recipes sound delicious!

Here are a few favorite dishes for the locals.  Enjoy!

For an appetizer, you might want to try...

Mandioca Frita (Deep-fried manioc)

2 maniocs (also known as "cassava" or "yuca")

water

salt

oil for deep-frying

1. Peel and wash the manioc

2. Cut the manioc into strips

3. Boil the manioc in water with salt

4. Drain and allow to cool

5. Heat the oil in a frying or sauce pan

6. Add the manioc and fry until golden brown

7. Drain on paper towel and sprinkle with salt

8. Serve immediately

Salada de batata com atum (Potato salad with tuna)

5-6 potatoes

1 can of tuna

1 cup of mayonnaise

1 tablespoon of olive oil (optional)

chopped green onion

lemon juice

salt and pepper

1. Rinse the potatoes and boil them in water with salt

2. Peel the cooked potatoes and cut them into small pieces

3. Place the potatoes in a bowl and add the drained tuna

4. Add mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon juice, green onion, salt and pepper to taste.

5. Mix well, cover and keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Arroz Branco (Brazilian Style Rice)

Most Brazilians eat rice with beans for lunch and dinner every day!

1 tablespoon of oil

1 small chopped onion

1 clove of crushed garlic

1 cup of rice

1 1/2 cups of boiling water

1 teaspoon salt

1. Sauté the onion and garlic in hot oil.

2. Add the rice and stir-fry well

3. Add the water and salt

4. Let the water boil for a few minutes

5. Cover the pan and lower the heat

6. Once rice is cooked, turn off the heat and let it rest for about 10 minutes

7. Place rice in a bowl - it is ready to serve!

Note: Rice with carrot or tomato is also popular in Brazil.  Add either of these ingredients during the first step, while you are sautéing the onion and garlic.

Bisteca de Porco Frita (Pan-fried pork chops)

4 pork chops

1 clove of crushed garlic

finely chopped parsley

lemon juice

salt & pepper to taste

oil for pan-frying

1. Place the pork chops in a bowl

2. Season with garlic, parsley, lemon, salt and pepper

3. Cover the bowl with saran-wrap and place in fridge for 1 hour or longer

4. Pan-fry the pork chops in hot oil until golden brown

5. They are ready to serve!

Banana Frita (Fried Bananas)

In Brazil, there are many types of bananas to choose from, such as banana-nanica (dwarf banana), banana-maca (apple banana), banana-prata (silver banana) and more.

2 ripe bananas

2 teaspoons of butter

cinnamon and sugar to taste

1. Peel the bananas

2. Heat the butter in a non-stick pan

3. Add the bananas and fry until golden brown

4. Place the bananas on a plate

5. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar

Notes:  You may add honey and raisins to the bananas when frying them.  Fried bananas go very well with vanilla ice cream and/or whipping cream.  Brazilians also eat fried bananas with their meal, but the bananas would be coated in egg and then breadcrumbs.

5. CRAFTS -