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 Printable Version for your convenience!
Title - Climate and Crops
By - Kindall Nelson
Primary Subject - Social Studies
Grade Level - 2-4
Behavioral Objectives:
1. Students will recognize the important elements needed to grow crops.
2. Students will be able to recognize different types of climates within the U.S.
3. Students will be able to identify appropriate crops grown in each type of climate.
4. Students will be able to write whether or not they would like to live in the place where their favorite food (from the list) is grown and why.
Illinois Learning Standards:
Social Science State Goal 17:
17.C.1a Identify ways people depend on and interact with the physical
environment (e.g. farming, fishing, hydroelectric power).
17.C.1b Identify opportunities and constraints of the physical environment.
Teaching Methods:
Discovery learning through brainstorming, group work, class discussion, individual writing practice.
Statement of Objectives:
"Last week we learned about different climates in the United States. Today we are going to explore the relationship between climates and growing food. By the end of this lesson you will be able to tell us what is need for foods to grow and why certain foods are grown in different parts of the country."
Opening Activity (3 minutes):
We will brainstorm answers to the question, "What do you know about the things needed to grow crops?" Answers will be written on the board (soil, water, sunlight, air, space).
Assessment (5 minutes):
Assessment will be the short paragraph described under Independent Practice. It will be graded for content, grammar, and punctuation, and will be placed in their year-long portfolios.
First Activity/Guided Practice (8-10 minutes):
Students will be divided into small groups. Using their knowledge about climates, they will work together to decide where each type of crop grows (apples, wheat, corn, rice, oranges, cherries, potatoes, pineapples, and peanuts). We will hand out a sheet with a description of the climate that each crop needs to grow and read through it with the students. When the groups are done, we will check them using the overhead projector. During the activity, we will also have a climate map available on the overhead for students to look at if they need to.
Independent Practice:
Students will write a short paragraph (four to five sentences) using the following prompt: "Oranges "live" in Florida because it is warm and sunny. Choose a crop from the list and tell why you would or would not want to live where it grows."
Review (2-3 minutes):
Choose a few students to read their paragraphs to the class. Correct any misconceptions.
Enrichment Activity:
Tell the students that they can bring in a favorite fruit or vegetable that was not on the list and tell us where it is from and what it needs to grow.
List of Materials:
- Maps of United States
- Cutouts of foods
- Overhead climate map
- Paper
- Pencil
Modifications for Special Needs:
In addition to any modifications that the school district has worked out, (i.e. interpreter, note-taker, etc.) there are several ways that this lesson accommodates special needs students. We will use the overhead map and chalkboard for students with auditory needs so that they will have a visual aid. We will be using writing as the assessment, but can listen to a child answer the prompt orally if writing a paragraph is not appropriate to the child's needs. We will modify the activities to meet the needs of our class.
Backup Activity:
If any activities run shorter than expected, the teacher may choose to have more students take turns reading their work aloud to the class.
References:
Chapin, J. & Messick, R. (2002). Elementary Social Studies: A Practical Guide(5th ed.).
Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
"Free Blank Outline Maps of the United States" (n.d.) Retrieved April 2, 2003, from
http://geography.about.com/library/blank/usa3.jpg.
Social Science State Goal 17. Retrieved March 30, 2003, from
http://www.isbe.state.il.us/ils/socscience/sog17.html.
"States". (2003). The World Almanac for Kids Online. Retrieved April 2, 2003, from http://www.worldalmanacforkids.com.
Clip art for first activity/guided practice from: http://www.barrysclipart.com.
E-Mail Kindall Nelson!
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