Have all your students stand up in a circle. “Almost every one in five people work in agricultural jobs. So let’s figure this out. We are going to count around the circle and every fifth student is going to remain standing while others will sit down. Now look at the students standing everyone still standing work in an agricultural job. People depend on agriculture for a lot of things. Without farmers and other individuals we wouldn’t have luxuries we have today. We would have to grow and produce our own food to eat. Take a minute and think about what you ate for breakfast. What if you had to grow and produce your own food to eat, would it be difficult?”
Write the word science on the board. Ask for definitions. “Science is the study of facts or truth as they relate to nature and the world around us. If you think of agriculture in these terms, you can see why agriculture is a science. No other field of study uses nature to its benefit like agriculture.”
“We are going to make a food chain.” You may need to explain what a food chain is. Give students four strips, have students write the words sun, hay, cow, and me on them. Have students link the pieces of paper in order. Then have students think of other food chains such as sun, hay, cow, leather, football. “It is easy to forget how food and other items we enjoy get brought to us because we don’t have to grow and produce them.”
Activity 1
Note: This lesson allows for students to eat pretzels. Be aware that students with a wheat or gluten allergy cannot consume pretzels.
“Today we will learn about agriculture in our community and across the state. The kind of agriculture found in our community depends on many things such as rainfall, temperate, and the type of soil. Why do you think agriculture depends on those things?” Have a discussion. Students will learn about agriculture in their community. Show the map of agricultural regions in Pennsylvania (S-K2-16-2_Pennsylvania Agriculture Map.doc). “Do you know anything that is produced or grown in Pennsylvania? Let’s write some ideas on the board.”
Here is some background on Pennsylvania agriculture from the state’s Web site http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pennsylvania_department_of_agriculture/10297 :
-
As a worldwide leader in agricultural, food and lumber production, Pennsylvania has much to offer. Indeed, Pennsylvania has Products for the Planet.
-
Pennsylvania is known as the “Snack Food Capital of the World.” With major producers of pretzels, potato chips, confectioneries, and chocolate, Pennsylvania’s snack food and confectionery industries generate more than $5.1 billion in sales annually. Pennsylvania is also the international headquarters for Hershey Foods Corporation and H. J. Heinz.
-
When it comes to food processing, Pennsylvania’s 2,300 food-processing companies are number one among the 50 United States in the value of shipments of canned fruit and vegetable specialty products, chocolate and cocoa products, potato chips and pretzels. Not only does Pennsylvania produce many products, we make them with pride and quality. Pennsylvania leads the United States in mushroom production, with an annual production of more than 425 million pounds, valuing more than $330.7 million per year.
-
Forest products are a mainstay of Pennsylvania agriculture. In fact, forests cover more than 60% of Pennsylvania’s land, and are growing. Pennsylvania ranks number one among the 50 United States in the production of export grade hardwood.
-
The dairy industry in Pennsylvania produces in three main categories: ice cream and frozen desserts, butter and cheese, and fluid milk products.
“Pennsylvania produces different kinds of wheat such as winter wheat and buck wheat. Does anyone know what wheat is used for? Wheat is used to make flour in breads, biscuits, cookies, cake, cereals, pasta, noodles and much more. It is used in beer, and also used to feed livestock.” Demonstrate to students what 128 lbs. might look like. Bring a 1 lb. flour sack and say you would consume 128 of these. “There are different types of wheat. One wheat that is grown in Pennsylvania is winter wheat. It is planted from September to December. It sprouts before freezing occurs and then becomes dormant until spring. It is used to make flour for breads and other baked products.” Show the class pictures of winter wheat (S-K2-16-2_Wheat Pictures.doc).
Read one of the read aloud books on wheat and discuss the process of wheat becoming bread. Then read Walter the Baker. “Today we will read Walter the Baker. Walter is the best baker in his town and then something happened and he had to be a problem solver and be creative. Let’s listen and see what Walter does.” After reading the story discuss the ending and what Walter makes. Remind students that some pretzels are made in Pennsylvania.
Show students the four pictures of the food chain for pretzels (S-K2-16-2_Pretzel Product Chain.doc). Have students put the pictures in order and discuss in detail. Give students real pretzels to eat. Then let students pretend to make pretzels with soft modeling clay (S-K2-16-2_Play-Dough Recipe.doc).
“Agriculture is an important science. We depend on it for our survival. Help me complete the chart of identifying Pennsylvania’s crops, animals, and fiber products that we learned about.” Complete the Pennsylvania Agriculture Chart together or have students work in groups to complete (S-K2-16-2_Pennsylvania Agriculture Chart and KEY.doc).
Extension:
-
Students who may need an opportunity for additional learning can make their own pretzels, examining the ingredients needed and where they come from. Identify local products. Information on how to make your own pretzels can be found at:
http://forces.si.edu/main/pdf/PreK-1-MakingPretzels.pdf
-
For students who may be going beyond the standards, invite local farmers or a factory representative to talk about Pennsylvania agriculture. If possible, visit a local farm. Information on finding a local farm can be found at
http://pennsylvania.farmvisit.com
