Cotton

INVEST I G A T E M A T E R I A L S

Other titles in the series:

is a dynamic new series to introduce kindergartners to scientific investigations. Each title in the Investigate Materials series takes a close look at an important material. In this book young learners will find out about cotton. They will learn where cotton comes from and how we use it. Fun photography engages this age group and teaches them to observe, sort, describe, and identify. Even the youngest learner will develop the ability to understand scientific inquiry. $6.95 USA | $7.95 CAN

Guided Reading Level: H Interest Level: K–2 Correlates with FOSS

ISBN: 978-1-936313-92-1

Printed in Hong Kong

INVESTIGATE

MATERIALS

COTTON INVESTIGATE

MATERIALS

Contents What is cotton? page 1

Where does cotton come from? page 3

How is cotton made into fabric? page 7

What does cotton look like? page 13

How does cotton feel? page 15

Why do we use cotton? page 17

What do YOU have that is made from cotton? page 19

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK Before reading with your child it will be helpful to look through the book together and talk about the cover, pictures, and new challenge words. This story is called cotton. Let’s read the book to find out about cotton, where it comes from, and how we use it.

Challenge Words cotton: the thread made from the cotton plant, used to make cotton fabric.

weave: to push strands of thread over and under rows of thread to make fabric.

material: something used to make fabric or other items.

knit: to make loops of thread and join the loops to make fabric.

fabric: cloth. seed pod: the shell or case around a seed. cotton gin: a machine that cleans seeds from cotton. thread: a long, thin piece of cotton, nylon, or other material used to knit or weave fabric. dye: to change the color of something.

pattern: a design that repeats over and over, such as stripes. durable: able to last a long time. denim: a strong cotton fabric used to make jeans.

What is cotton?

1

Cotton is a material. A material is used to make something. We use cotton to make fabric. 2

Where does cotton come from?

3

Cotton comes from a cotton plant. The cotton plant grows in places where the weather is warm.

4

5

Cotton grows inside a seed pod. When the cotton gets big and fluffy, it bursts out of the pod. 6

How is cotton made into fabric?

7

Farmers use a cotton picker to pick cotton. At first cotton has lots of seeds, sticks, and leaves in it. A machine called a cotton gin cleans the dirty cotton.

8

9

The clean cotton is combed to make it smooth. Then it is twisted into thread. The thread can be dyed different colors.

10

11

Cotton thread is ready to weave or knit into fabric. Weaving is pushing thread over and under other threads. This makes a pattern. Knitting is making loops of thread and joining them. 12

What does cotton look like?

13

A cotton ball looks like fluffy white cotton candy. That’s how “cotton candy” got its name! A thread of cotton looks like a twisted ribbon.

14

How does cotton feel?

15

Cotton is soft. It feels cozy against your skin. When you wear clothes made out of cotton, you feel happy! 16

Why do we use cotton?

17

Cotton is easy to grow and make into fabric. It is comfortable to wear. And cotton fabric is durable, so it is good for children’s clothing.

18

What do YOU have that is made from cotton?

19

Pants and T-shirts are made of cotton fabric. So are blankets and pillowcases. Old denim from blue jeans is even used to make dollar bills. Look around to find things made from cotton.

20

Nomad Press A division of Nomad Communications 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Copyright © 2011 by Nomad Press All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. The trademark “Nomad Press” and the Nomad Press logo are trademarks of Nomad Communications, Inc. Printed by Regal Printing Limited in China, June 2011, Job Number 1105034 ISBN: 978-1-936313-92-1 Educational Consultant, Marla Conn Questions regarding the ordering of this book should be addressed to Independent Publishers Group 814 N. Franklin St., Chicago, IL 60610 www.ipgbook.com Nomad Press 2456 Christian St., White River Junction, VT 05001 www.nomadpress.net

Image Credits ©iStockphoto.com/ Sergey Novikov, cover; Rodolfo Arguedas, Sadeugra, title page; Aman Khan, 1; Olga Popova, 2; Jason Lugo, 3; Burak Demir, 4; Vadim Ponomarenko, 5; Craft Vision, 5; Maria Toutoudaki, 6; Anna Dedukh, 7; Brazil2, 8; Dave Hughes, 8; Stefanie Timmermann, 9; John A. Meents, 10; Mümin Inan, Mac Art Grafik, 10; Robert Dant, 11; Shelly Perry, 12; Bela Tiberiu Attl, 12; Nicole S. Young, 13; Gabor Izso, 13; Floortje, 14; Charlotte Lake, 14; Bonnie Jacobs, 15; Skip Odonnell, Odonnell Photograf, 16; Dmitriy Shironosov, PressFoto, 17; Don Nichols, 18; Mike Sonnenberg, Huron Photo, 19; Antagain, 20.

INVEST I G A T E M A T E R I A L S

Other titles in the series:

is a dynamic new series to introduce kindergartners to scientific investigations. Each title in the Investigate Materials series takes a close look at an important material. In this book young learners will find out about cotton. They will learn where cotton comes from and how we use it. Fun photography engages this age group and teaches them to observe, sort, describe, and identify. Even the youngest learner will develop the ability to understand scientific inquiry. $6.95 USA | $7.95 CAN

Guided Reading Level: H Interest Level: K–2 Correlates with FOSS

ISBN: 978-1-936313-92-1

Printed in Hong Kong

INVESTIGATE

MATERIALS