K3L2 Corn-tastic Adventures

Lesson Duration: 45 minutes

Grade: K3

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Learning Objectives

1. Children will be able to identify and name the main parts of a corn plant.

2. Children will be able to sort corn products into food and non-food categories.

3. Children will be able to observe and describe the dancing corn experiment.

Lesson Procedure

3 mins - Welcome Time

• Sing the "Hello Song"

• Introduce today's topic: "Today we're going on a corn-tastic adventure!"

• Show a real corn on the cob or a large picture of one

5 mins - Discovery Chat

• Ask: "What do you know about corn?"

• Show pictures of corn growing in a field

• Briefly introduce the main parts of a corn plant: stalk, leaves, husk, silk, cob, kernels

• Discuss: "What foods can we make from corn?"

10 mins - Hands-On Challenge 1: Corn Plant Parts

• Give each small group a corn on the cob with husk and silk

• Guide children in exploring and identifying parts:

  - Peel back the husk

  - Feel the silk

  - Look at the kernels on the cob

• Play a quick game: "I'm touching the [part]. What am I touching?"

10 mins - Hands-On Challenge 2: Corn Uses Sorting

• Provide pictures or objects representing different corn uses (e.g., popcorn, cornflakes, corn on the cob, cornmeal, corn syrup, biodegradable packing peanuts)

• Set up two areas: "Food" and "Not Food"

• Children sort the items into the correct category

• Discuss each item and how it's used

10 mins - Hands-On Challenge 3: Dancing Corn

• Prepare clear containers with water (3/4 full) for each small group

• Add a few corn kernels to each container

• Pour about 1/4 cup white vinegar into each container

• Give each group a tablespoon of baking soda

• Ask: "What do you think will happen when we add the baking soda?"

• Add baking soda and watch the corn kernels "dance"

• Discuss: "What's making the corn move? How does it look?"

• If time allows, try adding more baking soda or comparing whole kernels to popcorn

2 mins - Wrap-Up

• Recap: "Today we learned about corn plants, how we use corn, and how corn grows!"

• Sing the "Goodbye Song"