October 31- November 4, 2016
Can You Guess What It Is? Potatoes!
What is round(ish), grows under the ground, and has eyes? Potatoes! That's right, potatoes have "eyes"! That is where the potato, or tuber, is attached to the root of a potato plant.
We learned a great deal about potatoes this week in Nutrition Expedition. For example, did you know that the plant that a potato grows from is part of the nightshade family and is extremely poisonous? Only the tuber that grows beneath the soil is edible, which is what we call a potato. Potatoes are a good source of vitamins B6 (needed for brain development/functions, and the production of serotonin/melatonin), potassium (helps maintain a healthy heart), and vitamin C (helps boost our immune system), just to name a few. Read more about the health benefits of potatoes here.
I brought in a few varieties of potatoes for the children to check out and sample: a Russet potato, a red-skinned potato, a purple potato, and a golden Yukon potato. Delicious!
Super Sleuth Questions
1. What grows from the eyes of a potato if you keep it long enough? (answer: roots)
2. Is a potato a root? (answer: no, it's a tuber)
3. What is your favorite way to eat a potato?
