The 5 Senses and Popcorn

Type of resource: Video

Web address https://youtu.be/RircUrYI4Bo

Supporting document: http://uniquecurriculum.blogspot.com/2013/01/5-senses-and-popcorn.html

Language: English

Description

Exploring the five senses using popcorn: the popcorn is explored pre, during and post cooking

Scientific concept introduced

Exploring the five senses

Creative and critical thinking

Critical Thinking:
– Explanation

Creative Thinking:
– Making

Mathematical reasoning

– Measuring

Scientific thinking

– Observation
– Compare and contrast
– Measuring
– Develop craft handling skills
– Evaluating

Learning how to learn

– Active listening
– Self-efficacy in learning
– Communication
– Fun in learning
– Reflection on learning

Additional

– Oral language – listening and following instructions
– Literacy – vocabulary development
– Cooking skill of mixing
– Fine motor skills
– Hand-eye coordination
– Safety in the kitchen

https://www.youtube.com/embed/RircUrYI4Bo?feature=oembed

The 5 Senses and Popcorn

Overall aims

● to enable pupils to explore their five senses using popcorn
● to develop pupils’ skills in listening and following instructions
● to develop pupils’ cooking skills of mixing
● to develop pupils’ craft-handling skills
● to develop pupils’ skills in observing
● to develop pupils’ skills in comparing and contrasting
● to develop pupils’ skills in turn-taking
● to develop pupils’ skills in measuring
● to develop pupils’ skills in assessment

Vocabulary – keywords should be understood

Popcorn, corn, salty, kernels, see, hear, smell, feel, taste, marshmallow, oil, butter,
spatula, pop, explosion

Expected learning outcomes (operational aims)

The child will be enabled to:
– follow instructions for making popcorn
– describe each of their senses, as they engage with the investigation
– practice the skill of mixing
– identify what is meant by full and half
– measure a half cup of corn kernels
– respond creatively using the final food product
– evaluate their peers’ work
– identify changes in the corn from kernel to popcorn
– work together in small groups

STEM skills – to which the learning unit is related to

CORE STEM SKILLS

● Asking questions
● Explaining
● Making
● Measuring
● Observing
● Comparing and contrasting
● Evaluating

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

● Active listening
● Hand-eye coordination
● Fine-motor skills
● Developing craft-handling skills
● Self-efficacy in learning
● Fun in learning
● Reflection on learning
● Communication skills
● Oral Language
● Literacy – vocabulary development
● Cooking skills of mixing
● Following rules of safety
● Group work

Teaching methodologies/activity outline

Introduction:
1. Use a spider diagram to elicit pupils’ knowledge of ‘popcorn’, for example, its
colour, taste, shape.
2. Ask pupils to think about why ‘popcorn’ is called ‘popcorn’; what is popcorn
made from – elicit that it is made from corn (like corn on the cob).
3. Inform pupils that they’re going to be making popcorn today.

Activity:

(Divide the class to work in 2 groups of about 12 pupils).

Materials: (per group)
– ½ cup Popcorn Kernels
– 10 Oz bag marshmallows
– Olive oil
– ¼ cup of melted butter
– Popcorn maker (alternatively, share one between the 2 groups)
– Saucepan
– Spatula
– Recommended: Popcorn Senses Activity Sheet

Instructions:
1. Give each group some corn kernels, asking pupils to use their hands to feel the corn and describe it.
2. Ask each group to identify what is a full cup and what is a half cup. Then ask pupils to measure out ½ cup of corn kernels.
3. Ask each group to take turns pouring their kernels into their popcorn machine.

4. (An adult operates the machine). As the machine is popping the corn, ask pupils to describe what they hear, see and smell. You can also ask pupils to record their experience using a Popcorn Senses activity sheet, for example: http://uniquecurriculum.blogspot.com/2013/01/5-senses-and-popcorn.html

5. When the popcorn has finished popping, (once pupils have washed and cleaned their hands) ask pupils to taste a piece of popcorn and describe the taste. Then ask pupils to take turns touching and feeling the popcorn and to compare the popped corn to the corn kernels. Ask pupils to discuss what they think happened to the kernels. Then inform pupils of the following: The popcorn machine heated the corn kernels. There is some water inside the kernel which was heated up. As it was heated up more and more, under this pressure it exploded, or popped. The soft material that was inside puffed up as it popped and so we ended up with a nice fluffy piece of popcorn.

6. Next, on a hot stove, mix the popcorn, marshmallow and melted butter using the
spatula. Show the pupils how to use the spatula and then carefully allow them to
take turns stirring the mixture.

7. Then ask pupils to take turns using the butter spray, to spray it on their hands –
What does it feel like?
8. In each group, once the mixture is cool, divide out to pupils.
9. Ask pupils to begin using their mixture by forming the sticky mixture into ball
shapes.

10. Then ask pupils to create something with their mixture, for example, a football, a
snow man, a monster, an alien, flower.

Conclusion:

1. Give each pupil an A4 page and ask them to create a background for whatever

they’ve made, for example, if they made a football, they can draw a football
pitch with goal posts and players; if they made an alien, they can draw a space
background.

2. Ask pupils to take turns saying one thing they like about other pupils’ creations.

Assessment of learning

Pupil observation sheet, photograph of pupils artistic creation.

Equipment and materials to be used in learning unit (tools, ingredients etc)

Per Group: (suggestion of 2 groups)
½ cup Popcorn Kernels
10 Oz bag marshmallows
Olive oil
¼ cup of melted butter
Popcorn maker
Saucepan with lid
Spatula

Per Pupil:
Popcorn Senses Activity Sheet
A4 page
Colours (e.g. pencil colours, markers, paints)