Flat Aggie: All About Corn

With each Flat Aggie report, I’ll be putting together a list additional resources, websites, recipes, books, and activities.  Use this and farmer math from A Kansas Farm Mom to bring Flat Aggie’s Agmazing Adventures to life!

Flat Aggie Visits Northwest Kansas for Corn Harvest & Wheat Planting

All About Wheat (complimentary materials)

Classroom Activities & Resources
From Illinois Ag in the Classroom:

• Corn Ag Mag: Order in hardcopy or use via smart boards with the interactive version.
• Cornstarch Suspension
• Tassel to Table Chain
• Exploring Corn lesson book

From Florida Ag in the Classroom: Corn Lesson

Education World: Lessons about Popcorn

Books

• Corn by Gail Gibbons (ISBN13: 9780823422456)
• Gimme Cracked Corn and I Will Share by Kevin O’Malley (ISBN13: 9780802796844)
• Anna’s Corn by Barbara Santucci (ISBN-13: 978-0802851192)
• Corn – On and Off the Cob by Allan Fowler
• Corn is Maize: The Gift of the Indians by Aliki

Web Resources

• Camp Silos (The Story of Corn, printables and activities)
• Fun for Kids from Iowa Corn (activities, coloring sheets, printables)
• National Corn Growers Association  (educational resources)

Corny Art Activity from IL Ag in the Classroom
Common Core:
Language Arts: CCSS.ELA -Literacy.W.3.1; W.3.7

Next Generation Science Standards:
Structures and Properties of Matter: 2-PS1-1; 2-PS1-3
Engineering Design: K-2.ETS1-1; K-2-ETS1-2

Materials Needed:
Corn Packing Peanuts: www.uline.com (search: Cornstarch Peanuts)

Introduction:
Cornstarch packing peanuts are biodegradable and decompose in water, leaving no toxic waste. Because the peanuts begin to break down in water, the peanuts can be used to construct sculptures and art. Simply “lick and stick.” Cornstarch packing peanuts can be used in a variety of ways in the classroom. Here are a few ideas:

Directions:
Use the packing peanuts as an interest approach. Each student thinks of something different when they hear the word “agriculture.” Have your students build something related to agriculture.

To make it more interesting, give your students some stipulations, such as:
• Time Limit: Give your students 10 minutes to construct their idea of agriculture.
• Height: You are looking for the tallest structure.
• Sturdiness: Structures should be free standing. When time is up, have them let go and then measure the tallest structure that can stand on its own.
• Creativity: You are looking for the most creative structure(s).

Another interest approach idea: Give students the title of an upcoming reading assignment or book. What does each student think of when they hear that title? What will the book be about? Have each student construct their idea.

For young students learning numbers or the alphabet, give them a piece of paper with a number or letter on it. Have them “trace” the number or letter with corn packing peanuts by having them lick and stick them together.