Animals Teaching Theme		D'Nealian® Block Letters– Animals, Vol. 2
	Animals Worksheets		Farm Animals Theme Workbook
	Cyber-Starters, Animals Workbook		Farm Teaching Theme
	Cyber-Starters, Animals, Vol. 2		Farm Worksheets
	Cyber-Starters, Animals, Vol. 3		Science Lit. - Animals, Plants, and Human Body
	Cyber-Starters, Farm Animals Workbook		Science Lit. - Animals, Plants, and Human Body 2

Farm Lesson Plans

1. A Day on the Farm- Students will learn about the importance of farming and the responsibilities that a farmer has. Students will plant bean seeds and monitor the growth of their plants for six weeks.
2. Altered Genes: Exploring the Economic Implications of Consumers' Worries About Genetically Engineered Foods- In this lesson, from the New York Times Learning Network, students investigate the controversy surrounding the use of gene-altered crops in food products sold in this country and overseas.
3. Animal Babies on the Farm- Children learn the names of farm animals and to match them to their offsprings' names.
4. Animal Behavior- Students will observe stimulus-response behavior.
5. Animal Behavior: "Groggy Goldfish"- To observe the behavior of goldfish in water of varying temperatures.
6. Animal Charts- Learning basic facts and ideas through research of farm animals.
7. Animal Camouflage- Students will understand that animals have adaptations that aid in their survival.
8. Bringing the Market to the Farm- Students learn how community supported agriculture (CSAs) is changing the relationship between the farmer and the consumer.

1. Dry as a Bone- This lesson examines the current state of drought in the United States and the economic impact of drought on local communities.
2. Fancying the Full-Time: Examining the Plight of Migrant Workers Around the World- In this lesson, from the New York Times Learning Network, students consider the rights a worker deserves and research the impact of migrant workers in countries around the world.
3. Farm Animals- Preschool lesson.
4. Farm Animals- Write a story with a beginning, middle, and end about their trip to the farm or a favorite farm animal.
5. Farm Babies- The teacher will model sorting animal magnets. All of the mother animals will go on one side of a poster board and the babies will go on the other side. The magnets are made from pictures of animals with magnets on the back.
6. Farm Machines- Farm Machines, focuses on how “machines improve what people get from crops by helping in planting and harvesting. . . .” Students are introduced to the workings and importance of farm machines and how they help today’s farmers plant, grow, and harvest more and healthier crops for more and more people.
7. Farm Word Wall- Farm field trip words.
8. Farmers & Pesticides- Modern pesticides have helped make farming far more productive. But they've also caused countless accidental poisonings. Now, a new study suggests that even the routine use of pesticides can pose serious health risks in the long run.
9. Farming: Tools and Machines- This activity may be used in connection with a unit on the community, urban and rural living, or on machines in everyday life.
10. Feeding the World on a Small Piece of Dirt- Hands-on activity to highlight the need for protection of our natural resources.
11. Fighting for Fair Farming: Examining How Domestic Subsidies Impact Foreign Markets- In this lesson, found on the New York Times Learning Network, students examine the impact of subsidies on farmers and other industries. They consider various economic terms and illustrate how subsidies affect both domestic and foreign markets.
12. Growing Concerns: Examining the Role of Agriculture in Global Economics- In this lesson, students will define glossary words necessary for discussing global agricultural trade and explore the issues behind the Group of 21's walkout at the September 2003 World Trade Organization meeting.
13. Harvesting the Seeds of Technology: Exploring Our Responsibilities as Stewards of the Earth in a Technological Era- In this lesson, found on the New York Times Learning Network, students examine the roles of all people as "stewards of the earth." They evaluate whether or not technology and science are at odds with our stewardship of the earth.
14. Horn of Plenty: Comparing the Histories of African and Near Eastern Farming- In this lesson, students create timelines that compare early agricultural practices in the Near East and Africa and prepare handouts on the archaeological discovery process or specific African tribes.
15. How Farm Animals Help Us- This field trip will introduce and reinforce the students' understanding of farm animals.
16. Land of Plenty, Land of Want- Topics covered in this program include drought, loss of topsoil, water pollution, misuse of chemical and pesticides, and loss of farmland to urbanization.
17. Let It Grow: An Inquiry-Based Organic Gardening Research Project- In this lesson, from ReadWriteThink, students learn about organic gardening by developing their own research questions, conducting research, and gardening at their school.
18. Let's make a Farm!- For children to be able to use pretend play to make a farm and to then play with it. To be able to practice using scissors and glue to make something meaningful to them. To have fun!
19. Let's Milk a Cow!- This lesson introduces students to farming and dairy cows. Students will learn how to milk a cow (by using a cow made out of plywood). This activity would go well with a unit plan related to life on a farm.
20. Make farm animal stick puppets- To learn to use puppets as dramatic play items in play. To learn the sounds of different animals on the farm. To sing and learn new songs.
21. Migrant Workers Through the Lens of Dorothea Lange- In this lesson, students will learn about migrant workers to better understand the environmental and social impact of the Great Depression.
22. Modern Technology and Farming- Students have an opportunity to explore five different kinds of farms on a Web site with interesting visual and audio enhancements.
23. Old MacDonald Had a Farm- This resource, from The National Council on Economic Education, references the familiar tune, "Old MacDonald Had a Farm." Students identify goods on the farm and suggest services that Farmer MacDonald might have provided or wanted.
24. On the Farm or at the Zoo?- In this activity, children will discuss the relationship between people and different kinds of animals. Then they will categorize animals into two groups, farm animals and zoo animals.
25. Packaging and Transport- To familiarize students with the special packaging and transport that many foods require to stay fresh during their journey from the farm to people’s dinner tables.
26. Pen Pals: Animal Sounds- In this activity, children will discuss the sounds that different animals make. Then they will play a listening game, using the animal sounds they've discussed.
27. Robot Farmers- In the recent Will Smith movie "I, Robot," fleets of intelligent robots have taken over a wide range of responsibilities in human society. While a world like that is far off, pieces of it are already emerging. For example, scientists are now designing fleets of small, cheap robots that may revolutionize farming.
28. The Cream of the Crop: Comparing Organic and Conventional Farming Methods- In this lesson, students work in small groups to investigate the similarities and differences between organic and conventional agricultural practices. Students coordinate and present their findings to the class. Students assimilate their knowledge by composing reflective essays.
29. The Disappearing Black Farmer- In this PBS lesson, students learn about the plight of the African American farmer.
30. The Farm- Each part of the curriculum will be immersed with farm information and experiences, and the children will have first hand experience with farm related activities. This unit of study will take one month to study. We will be studying The Farm, culminating with a field trip to a farm.
31. The Leafy Greens Lesson Plans- Students will recognize where leafy green vegetables are grown in the United States.
32. The Leafy Greens Lesson Plans- Students will realize the origin of leafy green vegetables.
33. The Leafy Greens Lesson Plans- Students will recognize the steps that leafy green vegetables follow from the farmer's field to the consumer's table.
34. The Mystery of the Amazing Farmers- In this lesson you will be taking on the role of an an investigative reporter to solve the Amazing Farmer Mystery. The goal will be to use seven clues provided throughout the lesson in order to figure out how so few farmers can produce enough food and fiber for the nation.
35. Track the Path of Coffee from Farm to Store Shelf- In this PBS lesson, students examine economic consequences of cost production, price quota, loss leader, and profit margin, and the quality of life of those involved in the coffee industry.
36. Uppity Farm Animals- Students will listen to the story Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Dorian Cronin, and the poem, "Farmer Brown Has a Problem" by Diane Ambur, to explore problems and solutions. They will dramatize this story and create original verses that express a demand from a favorite farm animal.
37. Weather and Agriculture- Students will research, discuss, and write reports on the relationship between climate and agriculture. They will pretend that they have just purchased farms in specific parts of the United States and will investigate that region's weather and climate in order to maximize the chances that their farms will succeed.
38. What Plants Need to Grow- In this lesson, students explore how to grow plants and learn what kinds of things promote growth (warmth, sunlight, water, soil).
39. Where Does Food Come From?- In this lesson, students learn that most of the food they buy in stores originally comes from farms.
40. Work Forced: Exploring Issues Facing Young Farm Workers- In this lesson, from the New York Times Learning Network, students explore issues surrounding the use of itinerant child labor on farms around the nation.