Created byNicki Osborne

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Plan a Farm Visit

Grade 2Social StudiesScienceMathEnglish10 days

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In this project, second-grade students plan a visit to a local farm to explore its role in the community and the integration of math, science, and language in its operations. They engage in activities such as identifying plants and animals, solving farm-related math problems, and illustrating the journey of food from the farm to the table. The project culminates in descriptive writing and creating visual representations of life cycles observed on the farm, fostering a deeper understanding of agriculture and its connection to their lives. Students reflect on their experiences and teamwork throughout the project.

Farm VisitCommunity SupportLife CyclesMath ApplicationsDescriptive WritingAgricultural PracticesLocal Economy

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as second-grade researchers, plan a visit to a local farm to discover and share how it supports our community, and what role math, science, and language play in its daily operations?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

What types of plants and animals live on the farm?
What jobs do people do on the farm?
How does the farm help the community?
How do farmers use math in their daily tasks?
What is the life cycle of a plant or animal on the farm?
How does weather affect the farm?
How do farms contribute to our local economy?
What are the different stages of a plant's life cycle observed on the farm?
How can we use descriptive language to write about our farm experience?
How can we collect and present data about the farm (e.g., types of animals, plants)?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Students will be able to identify different types of plants and animals found on a farm.
Students will be able to describe the roles and responsibilities of people working on a farm.
Students will be able to explain how a farm supports the local community.
Students will be able to apply mathematical skills to solve farm-related problems.
Students will be able to describe the life cycle of a plant or animal on the farm.
Students will be able to explain how weather affects farming practices.
Students will be able to understand the economic contributions of farms to the local economy.
Students will be able to use descriptive language to write about their farm experience.
Students will be able to collect and present data related to the farm environment.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Mystery Seed Challenge

Students receive a "mystery seed" and must use observation, research, and collaboration to identify it and determine its growing requirements, connecting to the farm visit's focus on plant life cycles and agricultural practices. This sparks curiosity about the diversity of plants grown on farms.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Farm Fact Finder

Students will begin by researching different aspects of farms using provided resources. This activity focuses on gathering preliminary information about farm plants, animals, jobs, and community support.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Divide into small groups, each focusing on one aspect of the farm (plants, animals, jobs, community support).

2. Use books, websites, and provided materials to find facts related to your group's focus.

3. Record your findings on a graphic organizer, noting the source of each fact.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA completed graphic organizer with facts about farm plants, animals, jobs, and community support, with cited sources.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with learning goals: Students will be able to identify different types of plants and animals found on a farm; describe the roles and responsibilities of people working on a farm; explain how a farm supports the local community.

Activity 2

Math on the Farm

Students will explore how math is used on the farm by solving practical problems related to counting animals, measuring fields, and calculating yields. This activity connects mathematical concepts to real-world applications in agriculture.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Receive a set of math problems related to farm activities (e.g., counting eggs, measuring a garden bed).

2. Work individually or in pairs to solve the problems, showing your work and explaining your reasoning.

3. Check your answers with the teacher or a peer and discuss different problem-solving strategies.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA worksheet with solved math problems related to farm activities, demonstrating the application of mathematical skills.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with learning goal: Students will be able to apply mathematical skills to solve farm-related problems.

Activity 3

Farm to Table Storytellers

Students will explore the journey of food from the farm to their table, focusing on the economic contributions of farms to the local economy. They will write a short story or create a visual representation to illustrate this process.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Discuss the different steps involved in getting food from the farm to your table (e.g., growing, harvesting, transporting, selling).

2. Research the role of farms in the local economy and the different jobs involved in the food supply chain.

3. Create a story or visual representation (e.g., comic strip, infographic) to illustrate the journey of a specific food item from the farm to the table.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA story or visual representation illustrating the journey of a food item from the farm to the table, highlighting the economic contributions of farms.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with learning goal: Students will be able to understand the economic contributions of farms to the local economy.

Activity 4

Descriptive Farm Writers

After the farm visit, students will use descriptive language to write about their experiences and observations. This activity enhances their writing skills and allows them to reflect on what they learned.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Review descriptive language techniques (e.g., using sensory details, similes, and metaphors).

2. Reflect on your experiences and observations from the farm visit.

3. Write a descriptive paragraph or short story about your favorite part of the farm visit, using vivid language to bring it to life.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA descriptive paragraph or short story about the farm visit, using sensory details and vivid language.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with learning goal: Students will be able to use descriptive language to write about their farm experience.

Activity 5

Life Cycle Explorers

Students will investigate the life cycle of a plant or animal commonly found on the farm. This activity deepens their understanding of biological processes and the interconnectedness of living things in the farm environment.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Choose a plant or animal found on the farm (e.g., chicken, corn, sunflower).

2. Research the life cycle of your chosen organism using books, videos, or online resources.

3. Create a visual representation of the life cycle (e.g., drawing, diagram, timeline) with labels and descriptions.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA visual representation of the life cycle of a farm plant or animal, demonstrating understanding of its different stages.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with learning goal: Students will be able to describe the life cycle of a plant or animal on the farm.

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Farm Visit Portfolio Assessment Rubric

Category 1

Research Skills

Assessment of students' ability to gather, organize, and present information related to farm life and its contributions.

Criterion 1

Information Gathering

Ability to gather relevant information about farm flora, fauna, and their roles.

Exemplary

4 Points

Gathers comprehensive information from a variety of sources, including books, websites, and experts, demonstrating deep understanding of farm flora and fauna.

Proficient

3 Points

Gathers adequate information from multiple sources with clear understanding of farm flora and fauna.

Developing

2 Points

Gathers basic information from limited sources, with some understanding of farm flora and fauna.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to gather relevant information; minimal understanding of farm flora and fauna.

Criterion 2

Organization of Information

Ability to organize collected data about farms into clear formats.

Exemplary

4 Points

Organizes collected data logically within a graphic organizer, effectively connecting facts with citations.

Proficient

3 Points

Organizes data adequately in a graphic organizer with relevant citations.

Developing

2 Points

Attempts to organize information with partial success and occasional citations.

Beginning

1 Points

Shows minimal organization and lacks proper citations.

Category 2

Mathematical Application

Evaluation of students' mathematical problem-solving skills in farm-related contexts.

Criterion 1

Problem Solving

Ability to solve farm-related math problems independently.

Exemplary

4 Points

Solves all presented math problems accurately with clear reasoning and justification.

Proficient

3 Points

Solves most math problems accurately with reasonable explanations.

Developing

2 Points

Solves some math problems with limited accuracy or explanation.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles with solving math problems; lacks accuracy and/or explanation.

Category 3

Articulation and Communication

Assessment of students' ability to clearly express experiences and learning through writing.

Criterion 1

Descriptive Writing

Use of descriptive language in writing about farm experiences.

Exemplary

4 Points

Writes engaging, vividly detailed descriptions incorporating sensory details and figurative language, illustrating experiences effectively.

Proficient

3 Points

Writes clear descriptions with relevant sensory details, effectively conveying experiences.

Developing

2 Points

Writes with some sensory details, though with limited effectiveness and engagement.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to use descriptive language effectively; lacks detail and engagement.

Category 4

Creative Expression

Evaluation of students' ability to creatively express their understanding of farm-to-table processes.

Criterion 1

Visual and Story Representation

Expression of farm-to-table processes creatively through stories or visuals.

Exemplary

4 Points

Creates an innovative, detailed visual or narrative representation that clearly communicates the farm-to-table process.

Proficient

3 Points

Develops a clear representation with appropriate detail about the farm-to-table process.

Developing

2 Points

Attempts representation with basic details, partially communicating the process.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to create a coherent representation, lacking clarity and detail.

Category 5

Understanding Biological Processes

Evaluation of students' understanding of the life cycles of plants or animals observed on the farm.

Criterion 1

Life Cycle Representation

Ability to accurately depict the life cycle of chosen farm organisms.

Exemplary

4 Points

Presents an accurate, detailed visual or diagram explaining each stage of the organism's life cycle with clarity.

Proficient

3 Points

Provides a clear and accurate representation of life cycle stages, with most details included.

Developing

2 Points

Includes basic life cycle stages with some inaccuracies or missing details.

Beginning

1 Points

Struggles to depict life cycle accurately or completely; many details missing or incorrect.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

What was the most surprising thing you learned about farms? Why did it surprise you?

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Question 2

How did the activities we did in class help you understand what you saw at the farm? Give specific examples.

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Question 3

Choose one thing you learned about on the farm (plants, animals, jobs, or community) and explain why it's important.

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Question 4

What is one question you still have about farms or farming? How could you find the answer?

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Question 5

How well do you think you worked with your group to plan and learn about the farm visit?

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