Students estimate the number of unpopped corn kernels in a bag of microwave popcorn. Encourage the students to make predictions as to which bag pops the most popcorn. Pop three different brands of popcorn to be estimated and count the number of kernels remaining in each bag with the students.
Take a poll of the students in the class to find their favorite type of popcorn from various categories such as plain, butter, cheese or kettle corn. Graph the results in a bar graph on the board as a class or instruct each student to organize the information individually.
Display various stages of popcorn beginning with ears of corn and on to popcorn kernels and popped popcorn. Discuss the three stages and encourage the children to use their five senses to observe the corn by including each stage in a sensory table. Pop the corn kernels in an air popcorn popper and allow the children to add the necessary ingredients, including salt, oil and butter.
Students count three sets of 100 popcorn kernels and place them into separate containers. Place one container in the freezer, one in the refrigerator, and keep one at room temperature for one hour. Pop each set of kernels in the same manner to find the most effective kernel temperature that pops the most kernels.
Students write a fictional story about popcorn that describes the actions of a kernel from the growing stage until it pops in the microwave or an air popper. Each student explains the life of the kernel from a first person perspective. An alternate activity is to create a poem in a haiku, free verse or rhyme style.
Read various children's books about popcorn such as "The Popcorn Book" by Tomie dePaola and "Popcorn" by Alex Moran and discuss the multicultural uses of corn.
On a United States map, point out the areas that corn is commonly grown and talk about how corn was first developed into popcorn. Divide the class into groups of three or four to present an oral report about the history of the snack food from its origin to its current uses. Include a report requirement that instructs students to create a popcorn-related visual aid. Adapt the map activity to younger students by gluing corn kernels to a state map in various areas.