Past Agriculture in the Classroom Lessons
These lessons are available in video format.
Local Foods
K-5th Grade: Learning Standards: K-LS1-1, 1-LS1-1, 2-LS2-1, 2-LS4-1, 3-LS1-1, 3-LS3-2, 3-LS4-3, 3-LS4-4, 4-LS1-1, 5-LS1-1
Students will learn about local foods and how plants grow. The presentation will include reading a book and an experiment to watch and learn how to grow food.
Presentation Months: August, September, October
Fibers and Fabrics
2nd-5th Grade: Learning Standards: 2-PS1-1 and 5-PS1-3
Students will learn about different fibers and fabrics. Students will watch a video from a local sheep farmer, examine and observe different fibers, and even spin wool into yarn.
Presentation Month: January and February
Grains
2nd and 3rd Grade:
Learning Standards: 2-PS1-4 and 3-PS2-1,
Students will learn about grains. This presentation will include watching a video and do a corn and popcorn science experiment.
4th and 5th Grade:
Learning Standards: 4-ESS3-1 and 5-ESS3-1
Students will learn about grains. This presentation will include watching a video, discussion, and activity on the process of grains used as a renewable energy source.
Presentation Month: November and December
Chickens
2nd-5th Grade: Learning Standards: 2-LS4, 3-LS3, 4-LS1, 5-LS2
Students will learn about different types of poultry. Students will watch a video from a local poultry grower to learn poultry growth, behaviors and what poultry is used for. Students will apply learning in a game.
Presentation Month: March, April, May
Apples
Learning Standard: 2-LS2-2
This lesson will introduce students to the production of apples and the importance of pollinators. The lesson will include reading a book and doing an activity to learn the life cycle of an apple.
Erosion
Learning Standard: 2-ESS2-1
Students will learn the importance of protecting our soils to prevent them from eroding away. The lesson will include reading a story about erosion, a discussion about erosion, and a science experiment demonstration to watch erosion in action.
Pumpkins
Learning Standard: K-2-ETS1-2
Students will learn about pumpkins, which Illinois is the number one producer of. The lesson will include watching a video about pumpkins and getting to build their very own pumpkin catapult.
Nutrition
Learning Standard: 2-LS2-2
Students will learn where food comes from and how pollinators are responsible for them to enjoy their favorite foods.
Soil
Learning Standard: 2-LS4-1
Students will learn the importance of soil and observe its many components. Students will search for ingredients that make up soil and discuss which ingredients are most important and why.
Compost
Learning Standard: 2-PS1-1
Students will learn about compost and will investigate, describe, and classify different materials to understand what objects degrade or not within a given length of time.
Evergreens
Learning Standard: 2-PS1-1
Students will learn the difference between deciduous versus coniferous trees. Students will investigate and observe how evergreens are different to other trees in color, texture, flexibility, and even smell.
Water
Learning Standard: 2-ESS2-2
Students will learn about the importance of water in agriculture in a variety of water body forms. This lesson will include reading a book and will observe the types of farming dependent on lakes, rivers, ponds, and the ocean.
