Write the word agriculture on the board. “Today you are going to learn about a big word. Let’s try to read this word together. Does anyone know anything about agriculture? “Agriculture is also known as farming. Grow, produce, raise, and farm are words you might think of when using the word agriculture. Practice saying the word agriculture.”
Ask students to think about a visit to a farm or a story they have heard about a farm. Ask students what they may see on a farm. Ask students to talk about the buildings, machines, and people. Have students share ideas. “Everything and everyone on the farm has a job to do. What is the job or role of the farmer, the animals, the buildings, and the land?” Listen as students describe the jobs on the farm in their own words.
Day 1
Activity 1: Farm Animals
Review with students what the word agriculture means.
Tell students that there are all kinds of farmers in Pennsylvania. These farmers grow different things on their farms. Show pictures of farms and various farm products grown in Pennsylvania (S-K2-5-1_Pictures of Pennsylvania Farms.doc). The farm product pictures should include wheat, barley, corn, potatoes, oats, and mushrooms. Explain to students that sometimes farmers don’t raise crops or food; they raise animals, like cows, sheep, chickens, and pigs. Explain to students that these are products or produce we get from farms.
Have students close their eyes and see if they can think of what they might hear on a farm. “On the count of three make one of the sounds you might hear on a farm. We are going to make the sound for five seconds and then stop.” Hold up fingers and signal when the sounds should stop.
Sing the song “Old McDonald Had a Farm” with students (S-K2-5-2_Old McDonald Song Lyrics.doc). Have students name an animal they sang about in the song. List the animals on a chart. When enough animals have been listed, ask students: “Now let’s see what animal product or produce we get from each animal.” Give an example such as, “The chicken gives us eggs.” Chart students’ responses. Keep the chart in an area visible for all students.
Day 2
Activity 2: Farm Plants
Begin by asking students what plants might be grown on a farm. Display pictures of produce/products grown on Pennsylvania farms. Ask students “What plants grow on a farm? Are plants living things?” Explain to students that some plants give us food but some plants are used to make things. Show students the picture of cotton plants (S-K2-5-2_Picture of Cotton Plants.doc). Ask students if they know what this plant is. Allow students to guess or say what type of plant it is. When students have tried to name the plant, tell them it is a cotton plant: “A cotton plant grows cotton and cotton is used in making clothing. Some plants do not give us food but give us things which can be made into things we can use.”
Show a picture of a tree and ask: “What type of plant is this? What can we make from this plant?” Tell students: “This is a tree. It is a living thing. We can make homes from it.”
Show students pictures of a cow, tree, pig, and corn. Write the following phrases on a chart or board. When you hold up each picture have students fill in the blanks as you read the sentences:
“This is a ___________. It is a ______ thing. We can make _________ from it.”
Place students in groups and give each group grocery ads and department store circulars. Tell students they are to look at the ads and find produce or products that may come from the farm. They are to cut out the pictures and then place them into two groups, Plants and Animals. They are to glue each picture on a sheet of paper. Display students’ work in the room.
Extension:
-
Students who may be going beyond the standards can pour cream into a baby food jar. Have students pass the jar around and shake it. They are to keep shaking the jar until butter is formed. Once the butter is formed, pour out the excess liquid and have students taste the butter on a piece of bread. While students are eating, discuss other products that come from the farm, such as sheep’s wool and sweaters, and trees and paper.
-
Students who might need an opportunity for additional learning can use picture cards to match an animal with its product.
