Grades K-1

Mystery #2 "History of Corn"

In this reader students will learn about four main types of corn, compare the visual differences and learn how each type of corn is used.

Overview

This teacher’s guide is broken into different sections with suggestions of how to use the reader in the classroom and provide ideas on how to extend the learning of your students. This reader can be used in small groups or a whole group for reading or science. Depending on your readers, this magazine would be more appropriate to be read aloud to your students.

Printable Teacher Guide

Learning Outcomes

Students will have knowledge of the targeted vocabulary words.
Students will be able to identify the four different types of corn.
Students will have knowledge about what the different types of corn is used for.

Student Worksheet

Optional: A follow along worksheet is available for students to fill in while they learn or can be used as an assessment tool.
Seesaw Activity

Vocabulary Words

Observe: to watch or listen to someone or something carefully
Kernels: the fruit of the corn- the part of the corn that is eaten
Ear: part of a corn plant that contains kernels.
Fuel: a substance, gas or oil, that can be burned to produce power, or make a machine run

Activity

Introduce these words before you begin reading. Ask students if they have heard or recognize the words. Then, read the definitions and talk about them as a class. Do more of the students recognize the words now? See if students can use the vocabulary words in sentences. Pictures from the reader or a Google search, can be used to help explain these words as well.

Front Cover

The History of Corn: ask the students what they notice about the difference between the teosinte plants thousands of years ago compared to today’s cornstalk.

Question: How do you think the corn plant has changed?
Inference: After reading the bottom right and before turning to the inside of the reader, have students share what kind of corn they already know. Do they know what the different types of corn are used for?

Inside

When you come to a vocabulary word, take the time to stop and redefine the words.
After reading the content, revisit what students brainstormed from the front cover. Were any of their ideas mentioned in the reading?

Observe and Share

On butcher paper or the board, make a chart representing the four types of corn.
Have students share what they observe from the pictures.
Go over the following: shape of the corn, color of the corn, texture and size.
For each type of corn, have students share what they think the corn is used for.

Types of Corn

Now you can add the name of the corn to the chart that was just made. Read through the different types of corn and see if students’ observations were the same or different than what is in the text. Really make a point to talk about the uses of these different types of corn.

Back Cover

Do You Remember: Match the Corn

Draw a line from the type of corn to the picture of how that corn is used. Use the inside of the reader or the chart that was made in class to help if students get stuck.

What is your favorite?
What is your favorite type of corn? Have students write it on the line. Students can then draw a picture of their favorite type of corn. Students can expand this activity by verbally stating why they chose the corn they did.

Farmer Bill Video
If time allows watch “Type of Corn” by Farmer Bill that explains the four types of corn that students just learned about.

This lesson is the work product of the Kansas Corn Commission. Our lessons are written in collaboration with Kansas teachers for use in the classroom. Teachers may copy and share this curriculum. Use of this product for commercial or promotional use is prohibited without express permission of Kansas Corn.