What is Candy Corn, and How is it Made?

Vale Middle School Reading Article What is Candy Corn, and How is it Made? (1120L) Instructions: COMPLETE ALL QUESTIONS AND MARGIN NOTES Read the following article carefully and make notes in the margin as you read. Your notes should include: o Comments that show that you understand the article. (A summary or statement of the main idea of important sections may serve this purpose.) o Questions you have that show what you are wondering about as you read. o Notes that differentiate between fact and opinion. o Observations about how the writer’s strategies (organization, word choice, perspective, support) and choices affect the article. Your margin notes are part of your score for this assessment. Answer the questions carefully in complete sentences unless otherwise instructed. Student ____________________________Class Period__________________ What is Candy Corn, and How is it Made? Every Halloween, bags of triangle-shaped, yellow, orange and white candies fill trick-or-treat bags all over the country. And there are many bags to fill: According to the National Confectioners Association, candy companies will produce nearly 35 million pounds of the corny candy this year. That's about 9 billion individual kernels of corn. Candy corn is a sweet replicate of dried corn kernels. It's considered a "mellow cream," a name for a type of candy made from corn syrup and sugar that has a marshmallow-like flavor. Although candy corn tastes rich, it's actually fat-free. Most people know the traditional candy corn with three stripes -- yellow at the bottom, orange at the center and white at the top -- but it also comes in a variety of other colors and flavors depending on the holiday:     Brown, orange, and white Indian corn (the brown section is chocolateflavored) for Thanksgiving Green, white and red Reindeer corn for Christmas Pink, red and white Cupid corn for Valentine's Day Pastel-colored Bunny corn for Easter The traditional variety is most popular in the fall -- especially around Halloween. Notes on my thoughts, reactions and questions as I read: Vale Middle School Reading Article What is Candy Corn, and How is it Made? (1120L) In fact, October 30 is National Candy Corn Day. Candy corn has been around for more than a century. George Renninger of the Wunderlee Candy Company invented it in the 1880s. It was originally very popular among farmers, and its look was revolutionary for the candy industry. The Goelitz Candy Company started making candy corn in 1900 and still makes it today, although the name has changed to the Jelly Belly Candy Company. Although the recipe for candy corn hasn't changed much since the late 1800s, the way it's made has changed quite a bit. In the early days, workers mixed the main ingredients -- sugar, water and corn syrup -- in large kettles. Then they added fondant (a sweet, creamy icing made from sugar, corn syrup and water) and marshmallow for smoothness. Finally, they poured the entire mixture by hand into molds, one color at a time. Because the work was so tedious, candy corn was only available from March to November. Today, machines do most of the work. Manufacturers use the "corn starch molding process" to create the signature design. A machine fills a tray of little kernel-shaped holes with cornstarch, which holds the candy corn in shape. Each hole fills partway with sweet white syrup colored with artificial food coloring. Next comes the orange syrup, and finally, the yellow syrup. Then the mold cools and the mixture sits for about 24 hours until it hardens. A machine empties the trays, and the kernels fall into chutes. Any excess cornstarch shakes loose in a big sifter. Then the candy corn gets a glaze to make it shine, and workers package it for shipment to stores. Notes on my thoughts, reactions and questions as I read: Vale Middle School Reading Article What is Candy Corn, and How is it Made? (1120L) Comprehension questions – answers may be in phrases 1. What makes candy corn shiny? Confectioner's glaze or shellac 2. How many kernels of candy corn are sold annually? Billions 3. What two ingredients are added to candy corn for smoothness? Marshmallow and fondant 4. Name the individual who originally invented candy corn. George Renninger 5. Approximately, how long does it take candy corn to harden before being removed from the mold? A few hours 6. According to the article, what are the most commonly known colors of candy corn? Yellow, orange, and white 2. Answer each question each question in one of more complete sentences. For what reason do you think candy corn was originally popular among farmers? Candy corn was originally popular among farmers because it resembled actual corn kernels, making it a playful and fitting treat for agricultural communities during harvest festivals and gatherings What does the author mean when she states that “the work was tedious”? When the author describes the work as "tedious," she means that the process of making candy corn involved repetitive and meticulous tasks, likely requiring careful attention to detail and patience, which could become monotonous over time The article mentions candy corn is fat free. Does this mean candy corn is a healthy food choice? While candy corn is indeed fat-free, being low in fat doesn't necessarily make it a healthy food choice. Despite its lack of fat, candy corn is still high in sugar and calories, so consuming it in moderation is important for maintaining a balanced diet Vale Middle School Reading Article What is Candy Corn, and How is it Made? (1120L) 3. Using one sentence, summarize this article. (HINT: consider using the money summary method) The article explores the origins and production process of candy corn, highlighting its popularity among farmers, the tedious work involved in its manufacturing, and the nutritional aspects of this festive treat. ( 4. There are several website offering video showing how candy corn is produced. What are the advantages and disadvantages of reading an article versus watching a video? Both reading an article and watching a video have their own advantages and disadvantages. Advantages of Reading an Article: Control over pace: Readers can control the speed at which they consume information by adjusting their reading speed or re-reading sections as needed. Flexibility: Articles can be accessed easily from various devices, allowing readers to consume content at their convenience, even offline. Depth of information: Articles often provide detailed explanations, descriptions, and background information that may not be covered in a video. Accessibility: Articles can be accessible to individuals with visual impairments through screen readers and other assistive technologies. Disadvantages of Reading an Article: Lack of visuals: Articles may not include visual demonstrations or illustrations, making it challenging to understand complex processes or concepts. Limited engagement: Reading may not engage some people as effectively as watching a video, particularly those who prefer visual or auditory learning styles. Interpretation: Understanding complex processes or instructions solely through text may require more effort and may be open to interpretation. Advantages of Watching a Video: Visual demonstration: Videos can provide a clear visual demonstration of processes, making it easier to understand complex concepts or procedures. Engagement: Videos often engage viewers more effectively than text, as they combine visual and auditory elements to convey information. Accessibility: Videos can cater to different learning styles, appealing to visual and auditory learners alike. Real-time demonstrations: Videos can show real-time demonstrations of processes, providing a more realistic depiction of how things are done. Disadvantages of Watching a Video: Time-consuming: Videos may require more time to watch compared to reading an article, particularly if viewers need to pause or rewind to understand certain parts. Internet connection: Watching videos online requires a stable internet connection, which may not always be available or reliable. Limited control: Viewers have less control over the pace of information delivery in videos compared to reading, as they cannot easily skim or skip sections. Accessibility: Videos may not be accessible to individuals with visual or auditory impairments without appropriate accommodations such as captions or audio descriptions.