Artichoke Common Core Style *Informational Text *Writing Prompts Name
Artichokes K W L
Name: Artichokes The artichoke is an edible thistle flower bud which is eaten before it opens. Artichokes can be quite large growing from 3 to 4 feet tall. One plant can produce more than 20 artichokes a year. Artichokes are available nearly year-round, although spring and summer are peak production times. About 99.9% of artichokes are grown along the central California coast. They grow best where there are mild winters and long, frost free and moist summers. Artichokes are harvested by hand. Crews walk through producing fields carefully selecting the artichokes that are ready to harvest. The artichokes are cut with a small knife from the plant below the base of the artichoke leaving an edible portion of stem. The artichokes are then placed in a canasta (basket) worn on the back. The canastas can weigh up to 100 pounds in the spring when the artichokes are at their heaviest, usually after a spring rain. Color the words thistle, peak, mild Color the sentence that explains how an artichoke is harvested. Color the sentence that tells where most artichokes grow. What is the main idea of this passage? FARM FUN FACT: Artichokes are an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber, a good source of folate, and they provide a wide variety of minerals and vitamins.
Did you know artichokes are one of the oldest foods known to humans? The artichokes an edible flower bud of a perennial, in the thistle group of the sunflower family. The plant originated from the North Africa and Mediterranean region. Artichokes were initially cultivated and consumed in the Middle East. The plant was used as medicine and food in the ancient Greece. Artichokes requires specific climatic conditions to grow. The majority of the nation s crop is grown in California. Artichokes prefer colder climate. The city called the Artichoke Center of the World is Castroville. Artichoke plants grow up to 4 feet tall and 6 feet wide. The artichoke has roots, a stalk, stems, leaves, buds and petals. The leaves that we eat on the artichoke bud are called petals. The biggest artichoke buds are closest to the top of the stalk. Artichokes are a labor intensive crop. When artichokes are harvested they use small knives to cut the artichoke bud off the stalk. Once the artichokes are cut the harvesters toss the artichoke buds over their shoulders into a canvas bag that works like a back pack. The packs hold about 80 pounds of artichokes. After the harvesters fill their packs, the packs are emptied into large field bins. When the field bins are full they are transported to a packing shed. Artichokes not only taste great but they can do great things to your body too! They are a superfood in every sense of the word. An artichoke is low in calories and fat. It is a rich source of dietary fiber and anti-oxidants. When choosing the best artichoke to eat select a bright green, small to medium one, that feels heavy for their size. Large artichokes tend to be a little tougher and have less flavour than the smaller ones. Store them unwashed in plastic bags in the crisper section of the refrigerator.
Name: Directions: Cite evidence from the text and answer in complete sentences. 1. According to the text what is an artichoke? 2. Are artichokes a labor intensive crop? Explain your answer. 3. After reading the text what part of the artichoke do we eat? 4. What do you remember most about the selection you read? 5. Did you find an interesting word in this selection? What was it? Use a dictionary to find out its meaning and write a sentence of your own using that word. 6. Describe the health benefits of artichokes. 7. What is the author s purpose?
Name: State the AG Facts! Directions: Write four facts from the text.
Name: Ask the Farmer Directions: Write four questions about the text.
Name: Let Me Tell You All About Artichokes!
Name: What is your favorite vegetable to eat and why? Below draw a picture of your favorite vegetable.
Name: Ask a Farmer! Write a letter to a farmer. Tell the farmer what you have learned about artichokes. Ask the farmer any questions that you still have. Dear, Date Thank you,
Name: Sarah loves artichokes! She has 6 artichokes plants growing in her garden. Each plant has 4 artichokes ready to harvest and eat. How many artichokes does she have in all? Drawing Number Line Equation + =
Name Mrs. Gault has 14 artichokes growing in her garden. Miss Reed has 23 artichokes growing in her garden. How many more artichokes does Miss Reed have than Mrs. Gault? Show with pictures. Show with numbers. Show with words. Explain your thinking.