Lesson

Potatoes: More Than Fries

Students investigate potato varieties, explore potato plants, determine how potatoes grow, and make a potato recipe.

Grades
K – 2
IN: Grades K – 2
Estimated Time
50 minutes
Updated
October 26, 2023

Background

Lesson Activities

Recommended Companion Resources

Credits

Author

Uli Koester | Midwest Food Connection

Acknowledgements

Parts of the Background Agricultural Connections section taken from the Powerful Potato lesson written by Pat Thompson (Oklahoma Agriculture in the Classroom) and adapted by Sara Hunt (Utah Agriculture in the Classroom).

Sources

  1. https://potatogoodness.com/potato-basics-week-wondering-which-potato-variety-to-use/
  2. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/what_are_those_fruit_growing_on_my_potato_plants
  3. https://mobile-cuisine.com/did-you-know/potato-fun-facts/

Standards

Indiana Content Area Standards

  • English Language Arts.Kindergarten.SL.1

    Listen actively and communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes.

    • Comprehension.K.SL.3.1: Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.
    • Discussion and Collaboration.K.SL.2.1: Participate in collaborative conversations about grade-appropriate topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

  • English Language Arts.Grade 1.SL.1

    Listen actively and adjust the use of spoken language (e.g., vocabulary) to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes.

    • Comprehension.1.SL.3.1: Ask and answer questions about what a speaker says to clarify something that is not understood.
    • Discussion and Collaboration.1.SL.2.1: Participate in collaborative conversations about grade-appropriate topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

  • English Language Arts.Grade 2.SL.1

    Listen actively and adjust the use of spoken language (e.g., conventions, vocabulary) to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes.

    • Comprehension.2.SL.3.1: Determine the purpose for listening (e.g., to obtain information, to enjoy humor) and paraphrase or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.
    • Discussion and Collaboration.2.SL.2.1: Participate in collaborative conversations about grade-appropriate topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

  • English Language Arts : Communication and Collaboration

    Learning Outcome: Students actively listen and participate in discussions using details and answering questions.

    • 1.CC.1 : Participate in collaborative conversations about grade-appropriate topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
    • 2.CC.1: Participate in collaborative conversations about grade-appropriate topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
    • K.CC.1: Participate in collaborative conversations about grade-appropriate topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

  • Engineering Design

    • K-2-ETS1-2 : Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem.

  • Science: From Molecule to Organisms: Structures and Processes

    Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns in the natural world in order to answer scientific questions.

    • K-LS1-1: Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.