Storyworks_Grade 3_ The History of Popcorn

The surprising story behind one of America's favorite snacks.

by Talia Cowen​

​The history of pop!

​This content belongs to Storyworks Magazine

Picture this: It’s almost 7,000 years ago in South America. A woman is cooking over a hot fire. All of a sudden, a noise fills the air. 

​

Pop! Pop! POP!

​

Recognize that sound? It’s popcorn!

​

A Long History

Popcorn is made from dried corn seeds, called kernels. Thousands of years ago, corn was an important plant in the Americas. Native people, like the Muscogee and the Maya, used corn during special celebrations and in everyday life. Shoes and toys were made from its leaves. And people heated up the kernels to make a snack called popcorn.  

​

In the 1400s, people from Europe came to the Americas. They’d never seen corn before. They soon learned that it was easy to grow and healthy to eat. Europeans began cooking popcorn too. They served it with milk and sugar as a tasty breakfast treat! 

​

A Buttery Snack

In 1885, popcorn turned into the popular snack we love today. How? With a popcorn machine! A man named Charles Cretors invented a machine that could pop kernels quickly and easily. It cooked the kernels in salt and butter. YUM! People went wild for the tasty new recipe. Popcorn was soon sold on street corners and at fairs and sporting events. ​

​

Today, you don't need a popcorn machine. Just toss a bag into the microwave. And when you take a buttery bite, remember the thousands of years of popping that brought you this delicious treat. ​

​

​

​

​

​

​​

Open Ended

How would you define nonfiction?

Use the sentence stems below if you need help starting your sentence.

I would define nonfiction as

Nonfiction is writing that is

I would define nonfiction writing as

Multiple Choice

According to the article, The History of Pop, what is corn made out of?

• the roots of the corn

• the leaves of the corn

• dried corn seeds

• the husk of the corn

Multiple Choice

What's another name for the dried corn seeds?

• husks

• kernels

• corn

Multiple Choice

PART A: How did the Native Americans use corn, before it became a popular snack?

• Native Americans used corn to make shoes and toys.

• Native Americans used corn as decorations for their homes.

• Native Americans served it with milk and sugar for a breakfast treat.

Multiple Choice

PART B: Which sentence from the paragraph below, supports your answer to Part A?

Popcorn is made from dried corn seeds, called kernels. Thousands of years ago, corn was an important plant in the Americas. Native people, like the Muscogee and the Maya, used corn during special celebrations and in everyday life. Shoes and toys were made from its leaves. And people heated up the kernels to make a snack called popcorn.  

• Popcorn is made from dried corn seeds, called kernels. Thousands of years ago, corn was an important plant in the Americas.

• Native people, like the Muscogee and the Maya, used corn during special celebrations and in everyday life.

• Shoes and toys were made from its leaves.

• And people heated up the kernels to make a snack called popcorn.  

Multiple Choice

What did Charles Cretor's machine do?

• A man named Charles Cretors invented a machine that could pop kernels quickly and easily.

• It cooked the kernels in salt and butter.

• Just toss a bag into the microwave.

Poll

CHECK IN

After reading the article, The History of Pop, what is the main idea/topic of the article?

• corn kernels and their many uses

• the history of popcorn

• corn husks

• the popcorn machine