dormancy – a resting period when potatoes are stored and not growing fiber – helps your body digest food and stay healthy flowers – the part of the plant that can turn into fruit or seeds harvest – the process of gathering crops when they are ready irrigation – a way to water crops using special systems or tools leaves – green parts that collect sunlight and make food for the plant photosynthesis – the process plants use to turn sunlight into energy potassium – a nutrient that helps your muscles and heart roots – parts of the plant that absorb water and nutrients from the soil San Luis Valley – a major potato-growing region in southern Colorado seed potato – a potato or piece of a potato planted to grow a new plant sprout – a new shoot growing from a seed or potato eye starchy vegetable – vegetables high in carbohydrates like potatoes and corn stem – the part that holds the plant upright and moves water and nutrients tuber – the underground stem that stores nutrients( what we eat!) vitamin C – a nutrient that helps your immune system and healing volcanic soil – rich, fertile soil formed from volcanic ash and rocks
Lesson Plans to go with this Reader: The Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix is an online, searchable, and standards-based database for K-12 teachers. The Matrix contextualizes national education standards in science, social studies, and nutritional education with relevant instructional resources linked to Common Core Standards. Below are a few lesson plans that could be used in conjunction with this Colorado Reader. Find these lessons and more by searching the key words on the Curriculum Matrix at CoAgClassroom. org.
Potatoes: More Than Fries- Students investigate potato varieties, explore potato plants, determine how potatoes grow, and make a potato recipe. Grades K-2
Powerful Potato- Students observe a potato grow with and without soil, chart potato geography on a world map, and hold a potato dress up contest. Grades 3-5
Potatoes for Pirate Pearl- Join Pirate Pearl and her parrot Petunia as they learn how potatoes are planted, grown, and harvested in this hilarious picture book about food and friendship. Pirate Pearl and her parrot Petunia are HUNGRY, and after they make the hardtack biscuits walk the plank, they go in search of a perfect provision for their next sea voyage. Where do they end up? On Farmer Fay’ s potato farm! Farmer Fay shows Pirate Pearl how potatoes grow on the farm and how potatoes can be cooked into many different delicious potato recipes. Pirate Pearl and Petunia not only gain an understanding of farming but also a new friendship with Farmer Fay! Back matter is packed with potato facts, information on growing your own potatoes, and recipes. Book
Answers:
Page 3: Potato Plant Diagram 1. Stem; 2. Leaves; 3. Flowers; 4. Tubers; 5. Roots
Page 3: Check Your Spud Smarts 1. A seed potato is a piece of a potato with‘ eyes’ that can grow into a new plant. Unlike regular seeds, it’ s a part of the plant, not from a flower. 2. C. Underground as tubers 3. Farmers wait for the plant to turn yellow because it means the tubers are mature and ready to harvest. 4. Sunlight, water, nutrients, and healthy soil.
Page 5: Spud Stats! 1. Idaho 2. 123.8 million cwt( 145.0- 21.2) 3. Michigan and Minnesota( very close in production) 4. Bottom five states = 94.2 million cwt; Idaho = 145.0 million cwt; Less than Idaho
Page 5: Potato Vocabulary Word Scramble 1. Stem; 2. Tuber; 3. Photosynthesis; 4. Dormancy; 5. Sprout; 6. Fiber; 7. Leaves; 8. Potassium; 9. Harvest; 10, San Luis Valley
Page 6: Types of Potatoes Matching 1. Fresh Table-Stock; 2. Chipping; 3. Frozen; 4. Dehydrated; 5. Seed Potatoes
Page 7: Power Plate Activity Answers will vary. Should include one food from each MyPlate group and a healthy preparation of potatoes( e. g., baked, roasted).