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The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Old Potato, New Potato, Hot Potato: Discover, Grow, Eat

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Old Potato, New Potato, Hot Potato: Discover, Grow, Eat

K-2nd Grade Lesson

Lyndsay Ludden

May 2023

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Notes for Teachers

This is an agricultural science lesson.

If you do not have an area to plant potatoes,

you can use large tubs and the potatoes will grow just as well. Do not overwater the potatoes, they will start to decompose instead of reproduce.

This lesson will naturally lend itself to observational learning such as how much water needs to be used, why are the stems turning yellow (towards the end of the life cycle), how is the sun affecting the plant, etc).

I have not included these in the lessons but please discuss all of these things with the students.

List of Materials

  • Book titled Two Old Potatoes and Me by John Coy
  • 5-7 potatoes that are sprouting (or more)
  • Garden area for planting or 30 gallon pots, or 10 gallon pots with windows
  • Life cycle observation sheet
  • Garden Journals
  • Stove, oven, or microwave
  • Potting soil or compost
  • Paper clips or another tool for measurement

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AZ Science Standards

1.L1U1.6 Observe, describe, and predict life cycles of animals and plants.

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AZ Math Standards

1.MD.A

Measure lengths indirectly and by iterating length units.

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Objective(s):

The students will learn the life cycle of a potato by planting, growing, harvesting and eating potatoes.

The students will learn how to measure the stem of potato plants over time.

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Agenda

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4 lesson segments:

  1. The initial lesson will take about 30 minutes. Intro, read aloud, planting
  2. Each proceeding observation will take 10 minutes. Measuring, recording
  3. Harvest date will be 4 months from planting. Harvest and record results
  4. Conclusion lesson will be approximately 1.5 hours (depending on how you cook the potatoes) This can be done on the same day as harvest.

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Intro

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Show the students a potato that has started sprouting. Tell them that today they are going to share with the class their favorite way to eat a potato. (baked, french fries, mashed, chips, etc).

Sit in a circle and pass around one of the potatoes. The potato acts as a “talking stick.” The student who has the potato can share their favorite way to eat it.

Then read the story Two Old Potatoes and Me by John Coy

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

DAY 1

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  • Groups of 4 or whole group
  • This will take place in a vacant area of your school garden or in large pots outside (30 gallons)
  • Show the students their groups potato and have them count how many buds having started to grow.
  • Using a knife, cut the potato in pieces with at least one bud on each piece.
  • Have each student place the potato in the soil about 1 foot apart.
  • Water
  • The students will then record the date and draw a picture of what their potato looked like when they planted it.

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DAY 2 through harvest

  • Students will periodically go out and measure their potato stems using paper clips that are joined together.
  • Record results in their garden journal

Harvest Day

  • Students will dig out their potatoes and count how many grew underground (record in garden journal).
  • Bring in to wash/scrub off all the dirt.
  • Using an oven, microwave, or table burner–cook the potatoes. Most enjoy mashed potatoes so you’ll need a big pot of boiling water if you choose.

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Assessment

Clear understanding of the life cycle of a potato = use an observational assessment tool and ask questions while planting/harvesting such as:

1. Can you tell me which life cycle stage the potatoes are in now?

2. What do you think will happen next?

3. What was the plant life before this stage?

Measuring and data collection- check garden journals for accuracy. Note in journal if the child is recording the measurements correctly with the paper clips.

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Differentiation

If the student has difficulty writing and recording numbers, provide a number line so they can count and copy.

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Provide key vocabulary with images in the classroom for students to view throughout the lesson.

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Provide sentence stems/frames for students to use to frame their understanding and thinking.

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Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

If you have more potatoes you can always send some home with students so they can plant at home.

Students who are ready for standard units of measurement can use rulers to measure their plants.

You can incorporate an entire measuring lesson when you cook (tsp, tbs, cups, oz, etc).