Infusion of Literacy Into the Science Curriculum

Infusion of Literacy into the Science Curriculum

Book Information

Title Popcorn!

Author Elaine Landau

Publisher Charlesbridge

Copyright Year 2003

ISBN# ISBN-10: 1435265343 ISBN-13: 978-1435265349 Summary Everything you ever wanted to know about popcorn: history, growing facts, popping science, folktales, nutritional profile, recipes. Learn which states grow the majority of American’s popcorn, how Native Americans popped their popcorn, and the real story about popcorn and Thanksgiving. Availability APS Library system (Arlington Mill HS, Science Focus, ATS, Barrett, Jefferson, Kenmore, Langston HS, McKinley, Nottingham, Williamsburg MS); Amazon (for purchase).

1 How can the book content be infused into the science curriculum?

Grade Level K-5 Strands Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and Logic; Life Processes; Earth Patterns, Cycle and Change

Kindergarten Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and Logic K.1; K.2- Five senses, descriptions and sequencing Life Processes K.6 & K.7 – Basic life needs, processes of plants and animals Earth Patterns, Cycle and Change K.9 & K.10 – animal/plant growth Grade 1 Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and Logic 1.1- Classifying, measuring, predicting Life Processes 1.4 & 1.5 – Plants & Animals - needs, parts, characteristics Grade 2 Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and Logic 2.1- Measurement, classification, graphs, unexpected data Life Processes 2.4 – Stages in animal life; flowering plants Grade 3 Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and Logic 3.1- Making predications and observations, data charted, drawing conclusion Earth Patterns, Cycle and Change 3.8 & 3.9 – Animal/plant life cycles Grade 4 Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and Logic 4.1- Hypotheses, predictions, measurement Life Processes 4.4 – Plant anatomy, reproduction, photosynthesis Grade 5 Scientific Investigation, Reasoning and Logic 5.1- Classification key, measurement, graphing data, variables

2 Sample Activities

Grade 1 After reading the book to the class, students will plant popcorn seeds, and observe the growth of their plants. Prior to the lesson, purchase a bag of popcorn kernels at the grocery store (not microwave popcorn). Students will work with a partner to wet a paper towel, fold 2 popcorn kernels inside the damp towel, then seal in a sandwich-size ziplock bag. Place the bags in indirect light, and kernels will sprout in a few days. After observing the initial root (and possibly the first seed leaves), students will move their sprout to a milk carton of soil. Be sure to punch a hole in the bottom for drainage, and let the plants grow in the classroom windowsill. When the plants have several leaves, students can take them home to plant outside. Students will draw and label a diagram of the parts of their popcorn plant (roots, stem, leaves).

Grade 5 After reading the book to the class, students will use the scientific method to design an experiment to test whether more kernels pop when moisture is added/removed from kernels. Prior to the lesson, prepare “moisture added” popcorn by sealing 1 cup of kernels in a plastic container, adding several tablespoons of water, and soaking overnight. For the “moisture removed” popcorn, dry 1 cup of kernels in a warm oven. Students will write their procedures for testing the 2 variations of popcorn, with a control of popcorn right out of the bag. Next, use a hot-air popper to pop the control (1 cup of unchanged kernels), then the moisture-added and moisture-removed kernels. Students can measure the volume of popcorn for each test, then complete their conclusions.