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Grade Level:  1-3

Subjects:  English/Language Arts, Science

Learner Outcomes:

• The students will learn about the history of the potato.
• The students will locate on a world map the path of the potato.
• The students will write a potato fact in their journals using capital letters and punctuation.
• The students will complete potato scavenger hunt for factual information.
• The students will distinguish between the various types of potatoes by sight and taste.
• The students will watch a potato sprout to developing an understanding how they grow.
• The students will use problem solving skills to solve the character's problem.
• The students will create their own potato person.
• The students will complete the k and w of a k-w-l chart using their knowledge about potatoes.

Materials:

• journals
• world map
• history of potato
• potatoes (white, red, sweet)
• computer with internet access
• clear plastic container and toothpicks
• art supplies (wiggly eyes, feathers, yarn, construction paper, ribbon, glue)
• k-w-l chart
• Potato graph with potato markers
• Scavenger hunt worksheet
• Large chart paper

Teacher Notes:

• Internet permission slips
• Potato science experiment completed by teacher while students watch
• Use large chart paper to make the k-w-l chart
• Use large chart paper to make the Potato Graph

1. Students will discuss and list what they know on the "k" of the k-w-l chart about potatoes.
2. Students will then list what they want to know about potatoes on the "w" of the k-w-l chart.
3. Teacher will read aloud about the history of the potato, then discuss with the students.
4. After reading the history, complete the "l" of the k-w-l chart.
5. Use the world map to show the path of the potato while reading about its journey.
6. Show the different types of potatoes and discuss how they are different, then taste each type.  After tasting each type of potato, the students will use their potato marker and place their potato on the Potato Graph marking their favorite potato.
7. Using the Potato Scavenger Hunt worksheet and the potato site, find and write the answers to the questions.
8. After reading and learning about the potato, the students will develop and discuss other ways Willy could have solved his potato problem.
9. The students will view the placing of the potato in the clear plastic container with water.  The teacher will place toothpicks in the sides of the potato to hold it slightly up in the water.  The students will view the potato each day to observe any growth.
10. Finally, the students will create their own potato people using various art supplies, then introduce their new friends to their fellow classmates.
11. Students will write a Hot Potato sentence about their potato experience in their Stone Fox Journal.

• Students can work in pairs to complete Potato Scavenger Hunt.
• Use journaling prompts for students who need ideas for writing.

• Students will create potato recipes.
• Students will create a "potato" story using the potato as the main character.
• Students will each conduct their own science experiment and keep a daily science log of changes.

West Virginia IGO's:
English/Language Arts:
1.6, 1.15, 1.16, 1.41, 1.45, 1.70, 1.92, 1.93, 1.94, 1.95, 2.5, 2.8, 2.10, 2.11, 2.57, 2.95, 2.96, 2.99, 2.98, 3.3, 3.7, 3.27, 3.28, 3.44, 3.57, 3.58, 3.59, 3.60, 3.61, 3.62, 3.64

Science
1.6, 1.17, 1.18, 1.21, 1.25, 2.6, 2.10, 2.17, 2.31, 3.6, 3.20, 3.26, 3.35, 3.39

National Standards:
English/Language Arts:
1.  Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process.
2.  Uses grammatical and mechanical conventions in written compositions.
7.  Uses reading skills and strategies to understand and interpret a variety of informational texts.
8.  Uses listening and speaking strategies for different purposes.

Science:
6.  Understands relationships among organisms and their physical environment.
12. Understands the nature of scientific inquiry.

References:

• History of the Potato

Created by:  Debbie Conover
                      Barb Haney
                      Margie Suder

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