How Popcorn Pops!

This week, Discovery and Music were combined downstairs while the older students enjoyed their Mayflower experience in the Activity Room.  We talked about WHY popcorn pops!

We discussed that popcorn comes from corn.  We observed that each kernel is very hard and small and not good to eat (yet!).

We learned something very cool!  We learned that inside each corn kernel is a tiny drop of water!  When the kernel is heated, the heat turns the water to steam, but the steam doesn't have anywhere to go!  Due to the pressure within the kernel, the kernel EXPLODES!  (Kernels that don't pop are "too dry" to pop.)

First, we demonstrated what steam is...and that this is what is happening inside the kernel when it gets hot.  

Next, we put oil in the pan and added enough popcorn for the class.  The kids were very excited waiting for it to pop!  We sang Raffi's Popcorn Song:

You put the oil in the pot
You put the popcorn in
And you start to grin.
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle, sizzle
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle, sizzle
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle, sizzle
POP!

and you let it get hot.

Soon, it started popping!
That made some of our friends laugh!

It started to steam too...

While we waited, we talked about some of the ways people in other countries eat popcorn that is different than us:  in a bowl with milk!  No one asked for milk on their popcorn.
And soon, it was almost time to salt it and eat it!

It was tasty!

We read a funny book about a family of teddy bears who filled their entire house with popcorn and had to eat their way through it.  The kids giggled about this!  It was a fun morning.