Farm machines

http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=433

A lesson plan for Grades K–1 Computer Technology Skills and Science

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

About this resource

Appropriate grades

K–1

Subjects

science (environmental science), thinking skills (information literacy, research skills, visual literacy), education technology (computer/technology skills, integrating technology)

Provider

American Association for the Advancement of Science

Legal

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In this lesson, students are introduced to how farm machines help people grow, package, transport, and store food. In the beginning of the lesson, the teacher challenges students to dig a hole using only their hands. Then, students are asked to think about different ways of accomplishing this task that might be a bit easier. After a brief discussion of tools and their role in farming, the teacher reads aloud from Farm Machinery: Heavy Equipment by David and Patricia Armentrout, a simple, brief, and colorful picture book that tells the story of how farm machines such as tractors, plows, and combines came to replace the simple tools like sticks and deer antlers that people used to cultivate and plant crops centuries ago. While reading, students discuss the text and think about how farms today compare to farms long ago. Then, students visit an online storybook and complete questions on the E-sheet. Once students understand what the basic machines are and what they do, they begin the “What Do Farm Machines Do?” student sheet. Finally, students imagine that they have been hired by Farm Machines USA, Inc., to create colorful posters that advertise their new line of farm machines—the Big Tractor, the Powerful Plow, the Cutting Combine, and the Weed Cultivator. Science NetLinks provides links to student and teacher handouts, web resources, and detailed instructions for completing all activities. This lesson also contains links to similar lesson plans, the “Kids Farm: Equipment” page, and the “Inventor’s Toolbox.”