HomeMy WebLinkAboutRead Aloud Book Gr. K-Lesson 25Did you know that popcorn doesn’t have to come from a microwave? You
can grow and make your own popcorn at home! Here’s how.
Popcorn comes from a corn plant. If you want to grow your own popcorn,
you fi rst need to plant the corn seeds in the ground. But you can’t use any kind
of corn seeds to grow popcorn. You will need to use special popcorn seeds.
Also, you can’t use any dirt in your backyard. Ask a grownup to help you fi nd
the right kind of dirt to plant in.
Plant the popcorn seeds in early spring. Make a hole in the ground for
each seed. Try to make each hole one to two inches deep. Ask a grownup to
measure each hole with a ruler. Then fi ll in the holes with dirt.
After you plant your seeds, give them lots of water. You will need to water
them again every few days. Soon the corn plants will start to grow.
The plants will grow taller and taller. Each plant will grow a few ears of corn.
Each ear will have many seeds. These seeds are called kernels. After about
four months, the plants will stop growing. Then you can pick the ears of corn.
You pull them right off the plant.
After you pick the ears of corn, leave them in a safe, dry place for two
weeks. When the corn feels hard and dry, you can pull the small, round kernels,
or seeds, off the cob. Now it’s time for you and a grownup to make popcorn!
Get a pot with a lid. Then pour a little vegetable oil into the pot. Put in a
few handfuls of popcorn kernels, but don’t fi ll up the pot! The kernels need
lots of room to pop. Put the lid on the pot, and then put the pot on the stove.
Use medium heat to cook the popcorn. In a few minutes, you will hear the corn
start to pop. When the popping sound stops, take the pot off the stove. Open
it up, and enjoy your snack!
COMPREHENSION Describe the steps for growing and making
popcorn. What words about trying help you understand the kind of
work it takes to grow and make popcorn?
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I woke up in the morning and quickly got dressed. It was the day of our
family’s harvest feast! Every fall, we visit my aunt and uncle’s farm. There, we
pick fruits and vegetables for our harvest feast.
When we arrived at the farm, my sister, Mary, and I raced to the garden.
Aunt Jane was standing there. “Hi, Aunt Jane,” we yelled. “We’re here!”
“Hi there, girls,” Aunt Jane said, smiling. “Let’s get busy.”
We picked tomatoes and cucumbers from their vines. We dug up potatoes
and carrots. Then we picked lettuce leaves, squash, and peppers. After
bringing the vegetables to the kitchen, we grabbed some baskets and headed
to the blueberry bushes. We fi lled two huge baskets in no time. “What will we
do with all of these blueberries, Aunt Jane?” I asked.
“Well,” said Aunt Jane, “how does blueberry pie sound?”
“Great!” I said. “We love your blueberry pie!”
Then Aunt Jane said, “While I make the pie, why don’t you two fi nd Uncle
Mark and pick some apples? Then we can make apple cider.”
We ran out of the house and found Uncle Mark standing with Mom and Dad
under the apple trees. “Hi, Uncle Mark,” I said. “We’re here to pick apples.
Aunt Jane said we can make apple cider.” We fi lled a cart with apples, and
then Uncle Mark showed us how to make cider by using his apple press.
Later, it was time for our feast! Fresh fruits and vegetables make the most
delicious meal! We had a stew with potatoes, carrots, and squash. We had a
huge salad, too. And then, just when I thought I couldn’t eat any more, Aunt
Jane brought out dessert!
I’m already looking forward to next year’s feast. Maybe someday I’ll have my
own farm!
COMPREHENSION Which words tell about things that belong to
someone or something? What are some foods the family makes from
freshly picked fruits and vegetables?
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