FEATURE by Barbara Langham A CORNucopia of activities inspired by Gail Gibbons

he inside-front book jacket of celebration in 1621, which, accord- indicate that previous community TGail Gibbons’ Corn tells read- ing to tradition, was America’s offerings of thanks occurred ers the book offers a “cornucopia first Thanksgiving. They may have among early colonists in Florida, of information about a familiar eaten corn, although eyewitness Texas, Maine, and Virginia. As the food.” Like many of the author’s accounts of the event make no country grew, several U.S. presi- 50 children’s books, Corn informs mention of it, because corn often dents declared Thanksgiving a us about the history of corn, how mixed with kidney beans became national holiday, but each time it’s planted and harvested, and its a staple in their diet the custom didn’t last long. It many uses—from food to fuel. (Teachinghistory.org, n.d.). took an act of Congress in 1941 to Buy or borrow a copy of Moreover, the Pilgrims’ feast make it a permanent holiday Gibbons’ book, published in 2008 was probably not the first (Plimoth Plantation, n.d.). by Holiday House and use it to Thanksgiving observance in Nonetheless, the Pilgrims, introduce a rewarding project America. Historical documents according to Gibbons, used corn investigation this summer—and extending into fall. As your first step, learn more about the history of corn and think about how this food crop affects your community. Historical background Corn originated in Mexico 10,000 years ago. It was cultivated in Central America by the Mayan and Aztec peoples who called it . Corn was also grown by native peoples in what is now the United States and Canada. Christopher Columbus and other explorers introduced corn to Europe. Today it is widely grown and consumed around the world (Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d.). The Pilgrims in the early Massachusetts colony learned how to grow corn, which they called Indian corn, from the native people in the area. They held a harvest

© TEXAS CHILD CARE QUARTERLY / SUMMER 2019 / VOLUME 43, NO. 1 / CHILDCAREQUARTERLY.COM in many ways. Aside from eating in calories and has few nutrients; Explore corn with corn in and corn pud- a healthier substitute for thicken- children ding, they used the husks to stuff ing is dried milk powder Because preschool children learn mattresses and make dolls and (Corleone, n.d.). , best through hands-on activities, burned cobs in fireplaces for which is broken down by consider ways to allow children warmth and cooking. enzymes from cornstarch, is most- to explore real corn. The follow- ly glucose, the simple sugar the ing activities offer a sample; you Nutritional value body uses for energy. Glucose, may develop other creative and In the United States today, corn is when further converted, becomes effective learning activities. boiled or roasted on the cob, fructose (fruit sugar) or high-fruc- creamed, converted into , tose corn syrup (HCFS). Food Talk about corn and ground into meal and made manufacturers use fructose main- With a small group, open into cornbread, chips, and torti- ly to sweeten processed foods and Gibbons’ book to show the dia- llas, among many other foods. HCF to sweeten soft drinks. These gram of a corn plant. Point out As a food for human consump- derivatives are preferred by man- the plant parts: ear, leaf, stalk, the tion, corn is a healthy whole grain ufacturers because they’re cheap- tassel at the top, and the roots at that provides fiber, vitamin C, and er than table sugar. the bottom. Note that the picture other nutrients (Barrie, 2019). It’s The body processes these sugars shows only 2 ears. Unlike toma- gluten-free and low in fat and car- differently. Glucose is metabolized toes or green beans, corn stalks bohydrates. But some corn-based by the brain, liver, muscles, and produce only 1 or 2 ears apiece. products are associated with health fat tissue and has a direct effect on Place the book and one or more risks. , which is made by blood sugar and insulin levels. ears of corn in the science center extracting oil from the germ part at Fructose, on the other hand, is for children to explore on their the bottom of a kernel, is often metabolized primarily by the liver. own. used in frying and making salad Thus, it can have a more immedi- dressings. Nutritionists warn ate effect on fats in the blood (tri- Taste corn against fried foods, regardless of glycerides) and can contribute to a Preschoolers are probably already the type of oil used, because they fatty liver. Nutritionists advise familiar with corn as food. To can contribute to weight gain and against excess consumption of any introduce corn as a curriculum obesity (Traister, n.d.). sugars because they add little, if unit, arrange with the kitchen Cornstarch, which is made from any, nutrients to the diet, and they staff to include corn as part of a the top part (endosperm) of a ker- are linked to weight gain and dia- family-style lunch meal. Corn on nel, is used as a thickening agent betes (Webb, 2017, an, 2012). the cob is reasonably priced in the in gravy and puddings. It’s high summer; plan 1/3 ear for each child. Frozen and canned corn kernels are also available. Show children a fresh ear of corn, with husk and silks intact. Explain where you got the corn— from the produce section of a supermarket or at a farmers’ mar- ket, for example. Remove part of the husk to reveal the corn ker- nels inside. Encourage children to describe what they see, such as the green or brown husk and the vertical and horizontal rows of kernels. Remove some of the ker- nels to show the cob.

© TEXAS CHILD CARE QUARTERLY / SUMMER 2019 / VOLUME 43, NO. 1 / CHILDCAREQUARTERLY.COM At mealtime, talk with children farmers? see mature corn about 3 to 4 about the corn and consider chart- ■ What do they use as seeds? months later—in September or ing children’s responses to ques- ■ Would you like to plant your October. A stalk will be about 8 tions like these: own corn? feet tall. ■ What color are the kernels? A few planting principles: Even if the plants die or get (Kernels can be yellow or ■ If you want corn to eat, plant eaten by grasshoppers, raccoons, white). or . birds, or squirrels, planting will ■ How does it feel in your mouth ■ Plant only one variety. More give children the experience of when you eat it? than one may result in cross- growing and gain appreciation for ■ Do you like it? pollination, which will lessen the work of farmers and gardeners. ■ Do you ever eat it at home? the corn quality. With school-age children, dis- ■ Where does it come from? ■ Choose a sunny area for planting. cuss the page on pollination in ■ Add compost to the soil. Gibbons’ book. Art with corn ■ Plant seeds 9 to 12 inches apart. ■ What do the tassels at the top of Historically, farming families ■ Plant directly in the soil; trans- the plant do? made use of corn parts that we, planting is usually unsuccessful. ■ How does the pollen get today, put in the garbage can or ■ Water moderately. spread? compost pile. Children often For a video of instructions, see ■ What are the silks? made toys with corn cobs, husks, “How to hand-plant corn: Urban ■ How do the kernels form? and silks. Offer school-age chil- garden.” dren dried husks and yarn to Encourage children to check the Field trip to a corn field make corn husk dolls. See www. plants every day and water as If possible, arrange a field trip to teachersfirst.com/lessons/native- necessary. With a little luck, if you a neighborhood garden or a farm crafts/cornhusk.cfm. plant corn in early June, you will where corn is almost ready to be Offer short dried cobs children can use to make prints. Provide shallow plates of liquid tempera paint and heavy paper. Show the children that they can dip the cob into the paint and roll out designs.

Grow corn Corn is usually planted in the spring, and farmers often say that stalks are expected to be “knee high by the 4th of July.” But late planting may be possible in some areas by planting late-growing varieties. Get advice first from a local plant nursery or county extension agent. Ideally, you will plant corn in a garden plot, but you can also try a large tub about 4x4 in size. In small groups of children, show children the page on plant- ing in Gibbons’ book. Talk about the following: ■ How is corn planted in fields by

© TEXAS CHILD CARE QUARTERLY / SUMMER 2019 / VOLUME 43, NO. 1 / CHILDCAREQUARTERLY.COM harvested. Ask children to sure all children are out of vans children if they can name some observe the following: and cars to avoid heat-related ill- foods made from . The ■ How tall are the stalks? ness and death. Plan to take pic- list includes corn muffins, corn- (Compare to a child’s or adult’s tures, print them out, and post bread, corn tortillas, corn chips, height.) them on the bulletin board or in a and . Other corn-based ■ What color are the silks? handmade book. foods include hominy, , and ■ How many ears can you count (kernels ground to on a plant? Grind corn for food increasing degrees of fineness). ■ How is the corn harvested—by Borrow a mortar and pestle or Show pictures in appropriate hand or machine? buy one (the cost is generally less pages in Gibbons’ book and find ■ What does the gardener or than $10). Drop a few grains of color photos on the Internet. farmer do with the harvested field corn into the bowl and show ears? children how to grind it. Invite Cook cornmeal muffins ■ What happens to the stalks? children to try. The purpose is to Invite children to help make corn- Ask the farmer to let you take demonstrate that grinding meal muffins. Have children wash away cornstalks and husks for requires hand and arm strength their hands thoroughly. Introduce children to use in an outdoor con- and lots of patience. A hand-oper- the ingredients and help the chil- struction area. ated coffee grinder will have a dren explore how each contrib- As with any field trip, arrange similar result. Explain that corn- utes to the final product. Allow for transportation, ask for parents meal we find in a store is ground the children to measure and mix or volunteers to accompany you, by machines. the ingredients and spoon the bat- get written permission from par- Invite children to feel the tex- ter into muffin tins. Only an adult ents, and follow other rules set by ture of the ground corn. Compare will place the muffin tins in the your program, including making to cornmeal from the store. Ask oven to bake and remove them when done. Use careful adult supervision.

Grits cornbread ■ ½ cup grits (roughly ground

PHOTO BY SUSAN GAETZ corn) ■ ½ cup cornmeal (finely ground corn) ■ 1 cup flour ■ 1 teaspoon salt ■ 2 teaspoons baking powder ■ ½ teaspoon baking soda ■ 2 tablespoons sugar ■ 1 cup buttermilk ■ 1 egg 1 ■ ⁄3 cup vegetable oil

Grease muffin tins. Set oven to 400°F. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl. Mix egg, buttermilk, and cooking oil separately, and add to dry mixture. Stir only enough to moisten thoroughly. Drop by tablespoonful into muffin tin, filling about 2/3 full. Bake for 10

© TEXAS CHILD CARE QUARTERLY / SUMMER 2019 / VOLUME 43, NO. 1 / CHILDCAREQUARTERLY.COM to 12 minutes. Looking toward fall cracked corn and I will share. Serve with butter and honey. Evaluate the progress of corn London, UK: Walker Children’s Makes 12 muffins. planted in garden or containers. Books. Add ears of variegated corn, A tongue-in cheek, slapstick Explore animal feed along with autumn leaves, to take on the old folk tune. Be Corn intended for human con- wreaths and table decorations. ready for a contagious case of the sumption is harvested before the sillies. silks turn brown and the kernels Library center Rau, Dana Meachen. (2009.) are still tender. But much of the Find children’s books at the Corn aplenty. New York: U.S. corn crop stays on the stalk library or bookstores, and add Random House. until the kernels harden and is them to the library center. Choose Two children watch a farmer used to feed animals. one or more to read at circle time. plow a field, plant seeds of corn, Check a local feed store for corn Aliki. (1976). Corn is maize. water the plants, harvest the corn, intended for consumption by New York, NY: HarperCollins. and sell ears of corn. Colorful farm animals like horses, cows, This classic offers a simple illustrations and repeated text pigs, and chickens. In areas where description of how corn came to introduce children to the growing game hunting is popular, many be an important food around the cycle and to reading. feed and grocery stores will stock world. bags of corn to feed deer and wild Anaya, Rudolfo. (2007). The References turkeys. Pet stores typically carry first tortilla: A bilingual story. Barrie, Leslie. (March 26, 2019). 6 cracked corn for feeding wild Albuquerque, NM: University of ‘bad’ carbs that are actually birds and small animals. New Mexico Press. good for you, Health.com, Buy a small bag of feed corn According to an ancient www.health.com/health/gal- and have children compare it to Mexican legend, one of the Aztec lery/0,,20815445,00.html? the kernels in canned or cooked gods turned himself into a black Corleone, Jill. (n.d.). What are the corn meant to be eaten by ant and entered the cave where health benefits of cornstarch? humans. Show children the page ants had stored corn. He delivered Livestrong.com, www. in Gibbons’ book on animals eat- the grain to the people, and this livestrong.com/article/479831- ing corn. Place the feed corn on became their most important food. what-are-the-health-benefits-of- the science table. Arnosky, Jim. (1987.) Raccoons cornstarch/ and ripe corn. New York: Encyclopedia Britannica editors. Make popcorn as a Mulberry Books, William Morris (n.d.). Corn plant, www.britan- snack & Co. nica.com/plant/corn-plant Show children popcorn kernels A mama raccoon and her two Gabrick, Anna. (2009). Summer from a microwaveable bag. kits sneak into a cornfield at night corn—more than delicious. Compare to canned corn and feed to feast on ripe ears of corn. Soft, WebMD, www.webmd.com/ corn. Microwave the bagged pop- sensitive illustrations by a diet/features/summer-corn- corn, using careful adult supervi- renowned nature painter will more-than-delicious sion. Serve in paper cups. Note: endear children to this wild ani- Goodman, Brenda. (Nov. 27, Because popcorn is a choking mal’s adventure. 2012). High-fructose corn syrup hazard, be especially attentive; dePaola, Tomie. (2018). The linked to diabetes, WebMD, avoid serving popcorn to children popcorn book, (40th anniversary www.webmd.com/diabetes/ younger than 3 years old. edition). Watertown, MA: news/20121127/high-fructose- As children eat the snack, show Charlesbridge. corn-syrup-diabetes#1 them the pages on popcorn in Twins explore—and eat—pop- Plimoth Plantation. (n.d.). Gibbons’ book. Explain the dia- corn. This nonfiction classic is Thanksgiving history, www.pli- grams that show how the heated informative and funny, recipes moth.org/learn/just-kids/ kernels pop because the moisture included. homework-help/thanksgiving/ inside them expands. O’Malley, K. (2007). Gimme thanksgiving-history

© TEXAS CHILD CARE QUARTERLY / SUMMER 2019 / VOLUME 43, NO. 1 / CHILDCAREQUARTERLY.COM Teachinghistory.org. (n.d.). Menu for the first Thanksgiving, https://teachinghistory.org/ history-content/ask-a-histori- an/19263 Traister, Jeffrey. (n.d.). Health risks of corn oil, Livestrong. com, www.livestrong.com/ article/302830-health-risks-of- corn-oil/ Webb, Densie. (June 7, 2017). Is high-fructose corn syrup worse than regular sugar? Berkeley Wellness, University of California, www.berkeleywell- ness.com/healthy-eating/nutri- tion/article/high-fructose-corn- syrup-worse-regular-sugar n

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