1
From Farm to Table: Step-by-Step Project-Based Activities
including a Farm Mural, a Food Flow Chart, a Map of Their Own
Grocery Store, and More!
Table of Contents 1
Acknowledgements 2
Unit Overview: People Who Supply Our Food 3
Standard for Grade 2
Compelling and Supporting Questions
Description of the Unit
Common Core Standards
Unit Project: Food Festival Day
Lesson 1: Types of Farms and Commodities 9
Activity #1 My Favorite Food
Activity #2 Farming by Gail Gibbons
Activity #3 Top Farm Products
Activity #4 Farm Research
Activity #5 Farm Murals
Lesson 2: From the Farm to Our Table 19
Activity #1 The Tortilla Factory by Gary Paulsen
Activity #2 The Food Chain Story
Activity #3 From Farm to Table – Table Grapes
Activity #4 From Farm to Table – Processing Tomatoes
Activity #5 The Role of Transportation
Activity #6 Team Flow Charts
Activity #7 Technology Has Changed Agriculture
Activity #8 Map of a Supermarket
Activity #9 Preparation for the Food Festival Day
Activity #10 I Am Poem Format
Lesson 3: Food Production Long Ago 31
Activity #1 OxCart Man by Donald Hall
Activity #2 Classroom Museum
Activity #3 What’s in the Box? Yes or No?
Activity #4 Food Now and Long Ago
Lesson 4: Buyers and Sellers of Goods and Services 34
Activity #1 Economic Vocabulary
Activity #2 Reinforcing Economic Vocabulary
Activity #3 I Have It, You Want It Game
Activity #4 Interdependence of Buyers and Sellers
Activity #5 Create an Advertisement
Extended Activities 44
Resources for From Farm to Table 45
2
From Farm to Table: Step-by-Step Project-Based Activities
including a Farm Mural, a Food Flow Chart, a Map of Their Own
Grocery Store, and More!
Acknowledgements
PROJECT DIRECTOR and AUTHOR
Priscilla H. Porter is the Director of the Porter History-Social Science Center at the Palm
Desert Campus of California State University, San Bernardino. A former elementary school
teacher, Dr. Porter is the author of numerous curriculum guides and is the senior author of
Reflections, a Kindergarten to Grade 6 social studies textbook series published by Harcourt
School Publishers.
CO-AUTHOR and TEACHER
Janice Harbin is a retired elementary teacher and Reading Specialist from Little Lake City
School District. She is the former Director of the Just for Grade 2 Teachers Institute for the
California History Social Science Project at California State University, Dominguez Hills.
Under her leadership, Lakeland Elementary School was awarded Elementary Social Studies
School of the Year by the California Council for the Social Studies (CCSS) and by the
National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS).
This is the fourth book in the series of Step-By-Step Activities for 2
nd
grade teachers available
online at www.amazon.com. Others include: Exploring Family History, Expanding Map Skills,
and A Kids Guide to Laws and Government.
Available SOON in the series will be Biographies of People Who Have Made a Difference. To
be notified first when this and other books become available, sign up for the exclusive New
Release Mailing List by sending an email to [email protected]. Let her know your grade
level of interest, you’ll be glad you did!
Requesting Your Review – Reviews are very important to authors. If you’ve enjoyed this
curriculum guide, please write a review of it on www.Amazon.com
Copyright 2019 by Priscilla Porter
Permission is hereby granted to reproduce and distribute
this publication for educational and research purposes.
Direct inquiries to:
Dr. Priscilla H. Porter
Palm Desert Campus
California State University San Bernardino
37-500 Cook Street
Palm Desert, California 92211
3
Unit Overview: From Farm to Table
_____________________________________________________________
Grade 2, Standard 4: Students understand basic economic concepts and their
individual roles in the economy, and demonstrate basic economic reasoning
skills, in terms of:
1. food production and consumption long ago and today including the role of
farmers, processors, distributors.
2. the role and interdependence of buyers (consumers) and sellers
(producers) of goods and services.
3. how limits on resources require people to choose what to produce and
what to consume.
Significance of the Unit: In this project-based unit,
students learn about the many people from the farmer
to the consumer who are involved in bringing food
products from the farm to our table. The unit is
designed to help students develop an appreciation and
respect for these people and the work they do. The
lessons examine various types of farms, how crops get
to market, and the interdependence of food producers,
processors, distributors, and consumers.
Compelling Question: How do we get our food?
Supporting Questions:
1. What are the different types of farms and what commodities are grown or raised there?
2. How does our food get to our table? How is it produced, processed into a variety of food
products, distributed, and sold to the consumers?
3. How did people get their food long ago?
4. What is the role of buyers (consumers) and sellers (producers) of goods and services?
Description of the Unit: In Lesson 1, students work in “farm” groups to create a mural to
illustrate the types of farm buildings, the equipment used, and the animals or crops that are
grown or raised on the farm. During Lesson 2, students create a flow chart for different food
crops as they travel from the farm to our table.
In Lesson 3, food production from long ago is compared with production today. Students
begin to understand that our nation has changed over time from local communities of self-
sufficient families to a nation of consumers who are predominately dependent on many other
people to supply their daily food. As students compare and contrast the past and the present,
they develop an economic understanding of how scarcity and choice effect the production of
goods for the market.
4
At the end of Lesson 3, students work together on a variety of projects to prepare for a Food
Festival Day. Economic concepts addressed in Lesson 4 include the interdependence of
consumers and producers, the production of goods and services, and the use of persuasive
words in advertising.
Suggested Preparations for The Unit:
• Obtain recommended core literature books for the unit, including Farming by Gail
Gibbons, The Tortilla Factory by Gary Paulsen, and OxCart Man by Donald Hall.
• Obtain resources from such places as the farm bureau, local and state farms, food
processing plants, food distributors, supermarkets, historical societies, and the
Department of Agriculture for your state. For example, a recommended resource is the
Teacher Resource Guide from the California Foundation for Agriculture in the
Classroom (http://learnaboutag.org/).
• Refer to the Resources section on pages 45-46 for a list of recommended trade books.
• Arrange for classroom speakers such as a farmer, family members of students
connected with the agriculture and food industry; district and school cafeteria workers;
workers from supermarkets, farmers markets, food trucks, warehouses, food
processing plants, restaurants, health food stores, bakeries.
• Arrange for classroom demonstrations about such things as preserving food, cooking
food, tasting food, cooking utensils from long ago and now, gardening tools from now
and long ago.
• Arrange for field trips to such places as a farm, supermarket, warehouse, restaurant,
farmers market, historic site, food-processing plant, transportation center.
• Create a “Word Wall” for the unit. Include a list of key words, definitions, sentences
using the words in context, and pictures. Everything can be written directly on the
World Wall or on post-it notes, sentence strips, or 3x5 cards. Begin the Word Wall with
the word “food.” Add key words to the Word Wall throughout the unit. Review the
words periodically, as a whole group, small group, and individual student activities.
Word Wall Format:
Word Definition Sentence Using the word Picture
Recommended Materials to assemble for this unit:
• Art prints, catalogs, brochures, or calendars with pictures that depict farming, food,
transportation, and food production long ago.
• Empty food containers and wrappers with labels.
• Classroom agriculture museum materials such as artifacts and food preserving
equipment (canning realia).
• Cookbooks
• Crayons, scissors, glue, rulers, string or yarn, pipe cleaners, empty milk cartons
Special Notes:
• Throughout the unit, read, share, and/or book talk as many topic-related books as
possible. Some books are recommended in the Resource section (pages 45-46), but
there are many more to be considered.
• Include songs, finger plays, rhymes, and poems about food, workers, and topic related
concepts as often as possible throughout the lesson.
5
Common Core State Standards
Activities are included in the unit to develop standards for reading, writing, listening, and
speaking; mathematics; and visual arts. Refer to the following abbreviations that are listed
throughout the unit. For example, RI 2.1 refers to Reading for Informational Text, Grade 2,
Standard 1.
Reading Standards for Informational Text
RI 2.1 Ask and answer questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate
understanding of key details in a text.
RI 2.3 Describe the connection between a series of steps in technical procedures in a text.
RI 2.4 Determine the meaning of words or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 2 topic or
subject area.
RI 2.6 Identify the main purpose of a text, including what the author wants to answer, explain
or describe.
RI 2.7 Explain how different images (e.g. diagram) contribute to and clarify text.
RI 2.9 Compare and contrast the important points presented by two texts on the same unit.
RI 2.10 Read and comprehend informational text in the grades 2-3 complexity band
proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
Reading Standards for Literature
RL 2.4 Describe how words and phrases supply rhythm and meaning in a poem.
RL 2.5 Describe the overall structure of a story, including describing how the beginning
introduces the story and the ending concludes the story.
RL 2.7 Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a text to demonstrate
understanding of its characters, setting, and plot.
Writing Standards
W 2.6 With guidance and support from adults, use a variety of digital tools to produce and
publish writing, including in collaboration with peers.
W 2.7 Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g. read a number of books on a
single topic to produce a report (mural).
W 2.8 Recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to
answer a question.
Speaking and Listening Standards
SL 2.1 Participate in small groups in a collaborative conversation and build on others’ talk in
conversation by linking their comments to the remarks of others.
Mathematics Standards
NBT.1-4 Understand place value (2-ESS1-1)
6
Visual Arts Standards
Creating--Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
2.VA:Cr1.1Students brainstorm to generate multiple approaches to an art or design problem.
2.VA:Cr1.2 Students create their art design with various materials and tools to explore
personal interests, questions and curiosity.
Creating--Anchor Standard 2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
2.VA:Cr2.2 Demonstrate safe procedures for using and cleaning art tools, equipment, and
studio spaces.
Creating--Anchor Standard 3: Refine and complete artistic work.
2.VA:Cr3 Discuss and reflect with peers about choices made in creating art
Connecting--Anchor Standard 10: Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal
experiences to make art work.
2VA:Cn10 Create works of art about events in home, school, or community life.
Unit Project: Food Festival Day
The Food Festival Day provides an opportunity for students to display their projects and
demonstrate the content they have learned during the unit. The festival can be conducted for
the students in the class, or invitations may be extended to parents, another class, and/or
outside guests. If guests are to be invited, send invitations in advance of the festival.
Students should assume responsibility for writing and sending the invitations. They should
also assist in preparing publicity for the festival.
It is recommended the Food Festival Day be held following Lesson 3. Information about
preparing for the Food Festival Day can be found on pages 24-25 of this unit.
The following two pages provide a sample Letter to Parents with information about the unit
and a Request for Help Form.
7
From Farm to Table
Letter to Parents
Dear Parents:
Our class will begin a new History-Social Science unit called From Farm to Table. The
students will learn about the people who produce, process, and distribute our food. We will
work on several projects over the next few weeks. To see how you can help, please respond
to the form on the next page, and return it to your child’s teacher.
We would appreciate it if you would share any information that you can send to the class to
use in the Resource Center or in the Class Museum. Items that we need include:
• empty food containers with their labels still on them
• food preserving equipment (such as canning realia)
• artifacts related to food production (such as a rolling pin or a butter churn)
• magazines or pictures that depict farming or food production now and long ago
Some of the ways that you or anyone you recommend can be involved in the classroom
include:
• Talk about your job if it is in any way related to farming, the food industry, transportation of
food products, nutrition, supermarkets.
• Talk about what it was like to live on a farm.
• Talk about what it is like to grow your own food today.
• Demonstrate how to preserve food today or in the past.
• Conduct a cooking demonstration, such as the making of tortillas.
• Be a volunteer in the classroom to help the students as they do their research and
complete their team projects.
A Food Festival Day will be held at the end of the unit. The date and time will be announced
soon. We hope you will be able to attend. This will give you an opportunity to learn about the
activities we have done and the many things we have learned.
Thank you for your support and help.
Sincerely,
The Teacher and Students in Room _______
8
From Farm to Table
Request for Help Form
Directions: Please return to your child’s teacher by______________________________.
Child’s Name: ____________________________________ Grade 2, Room ________
Parent’s Name: _________________________________________________________
Telephone Number________________ Email address __________________________
The best time to reach me is:_______________________________________________
I can send the following resource materials:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
I can help in the following ways:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
I recommend the following person(s) to help:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Additional Comments:
9
Lesson 1: Types of Farms and Commodities
Supporting Question: What are the different types of farms and what
commodities are grown or raised there?
Activity # 1 My Favorite Food
Materials needed: A sample of your favorite food, chart paper and marking pen
Step 1: My Favorite Food Begin the lesson by telling students about your favorite food.
Explain what it is, the key ingredients, where you get it, why you like it, a favorite recipe(s),
and special memories you associate with the food. Include other things that will interest
students, such as photos of you with your favorite food or a book about your favorite food.
Step 2: Your Favorite Food Ask students to think about their favorite food. On a piece of
paper, have each student write the name of the food, the key ingredients, and how they get
the food.
Step 3: Chart Responses Post the following questions:
• What is your favorite food?
• What are the key ingredients?
• How do you get the food?
• Why do you like it?
• When do you eat it?
• What special memory do you have about your favorite food?
Have students participate in small groups in a collaborative conversation and share their
answers to each question. As they share, encourage them to build on others’ talk by linking
their comments to the remarks of others (SL 2.1). “Pizza is also my favorite food.” If the
student responds with a food that has more than one ingredient, help the student identify the
key ingredient.
Student’s Name
Favorite Food
Key Ingredient/s
How I get my food?
Sally
apple
Apple
Out of the refrigerator
Ken
ice cream
Milk
Ice cream store
Julia
peanut butter
Peanuts
My mother gives it to me.
Activity # 2 Farming by Gail Gibbons
Materials needed: Copy of the book, Farming by Gail Gibbons.
Procedure: Read Farming by Gail Gibbons. Ask students to
identify the main purpose of the text, including what the author
wants to answer, explain or describe (RI 2.6).
Discuss the topics in the book, such as the seasons, different farm
activities, the role of a farmer, the types of chores, the types of
buildings and equipment found on a farm, and the types of animals.
Encourage students to ask and answer questions as who, what, when, where and why to
demonstrate understanding of key details in the text (RI 2.1).
10
Ask students questions such as:
• Why do you think farmers produce the crops they do? What are the benefits?
• How do you think they decide what to produce?
• Where are farms located?
• What skills do you think a farmer needs to have?
• What resources does a farmer need? (human resources; natural resources such as land
water and sun; and capital resources such as types of tools and equipment).
• How have technology and inventions influenced the agriculture industry?
• What are the benefits of being a farmer? What are the costs of being a farmer? (RI 2.1)
Activity #3 Top Farm Products
Materials needed: For the teacher, a sheet of chart paper; For each student, a copy of
California’s Top 20 Crop and Livestock Commodities (Handout #1.1, page 15). (Crops
from your state may be substituted.) For each group of four students, a copy of Kinds of
Farms (Handout #1.2, page 16) and California’s Top 20 Commodities Word Cards
(Handouts #1.3, page 17), a sheet of 12” x 18” construction paper, scissors, and glue.
Step 1: Crop Roundtable Activity Divide your class into groups of four. Have each
foursome sit together as this roundtable group structure is a good activity to develop team
building skills and collaborative conversations (SL 2.1).
1: The Problem. Tell students they are going to work with their foursome to list the top crop
and livestock commodities they think are grown or raised on farms in California (or in your
state). A commodity is a raw material or agricultural product that can be bought or sold.
2: Students Contribute. As a team, students make a combined list of the farm and livestock
commodities on one piece of paper. Each person writes one answer and then passes the
paper to the left. The paper literally goes around the table, thus the name roundtable. If a
student can’t name a farm or livestock commodity, he or she must pass. Progress continues
until students can not name any more commodities.
3: Groups Contribute. Using the roundtable format, the teacher asks each foursome to name
one commodity from their list. As a commodity is named, the teacher writes it on the board or
chart paper (avoid duplicates) and continues to the next foursome. In this manner, a
composite list is developed once all teams have listed their farm and livestock commodities.
Step 2: Top 20 Farm Products Provide each student with a copy of California’s Top 20
Crop and Livestock Commodities (Handout #1.1). Review the list of commodities and
compare them to the students’ lists. Revise or add to the students’ commodity list as needed.
Explain to the students that most farms are specialized. They produce one or two main crops
or kinds of farm animals. (Note: Crops for your state may be substituted for California.)
Math Connection: Using Handout #1.1, students practice reading the place value of each
commodity NBT.1-4 Understand place value (2-ESS1-1).
Step 3: Sort the Commodities Review the six different types of farms described at the end
of the book Farming. These are: dairy farms; egg and poultry farms; grain farms, fruit farms,
vegetables farms, and, cattle farms/ranches.
11
Provide each group with a copy of Kinds of Farms (Handout #1.2) Have a student cut apart
the different word strips for the types of farms. Distribute a copy of the Word Cards for
California’s Top 20 Commodities (Handout #1.3) to each group. Have a student cut the
word cards apart.
Have students participate in collaborative conversations with their group to sort the products
according the different types of farms (SL 2.1). Do not paste yet.
Egg and Poultry Farms
Cattle Farms/Ranches
Chickens (broilers)
cattle and calves
Vegetable Farms
Grain Farms
lettuce
hay
tomatoes
cotton
broccoli
rice
carrots
garlic
Step 4: Carousel Once students have sorted the product cards, conduct a carousel in which
each group leaves one person at their desk and the other group members rotate together
from group to group to view the other groups’ work. Upon returning to their original position,
students may make any changes in the location of their product cards. Have groups take
turns orally listing the products they have placed in one of the farm categories until all
categories have been discussed.
Step 5: Glue Finally, students may glue the farm product cards into place. (Note: If desired,
this final step of the activity may be completed individually as an assessment.)
Activity # 4 Farm Research
Materials needed: Set up a Farm Resource Center with a wide variety of materials about
each type of farm. Refer to the Resources on pages 45-46. For the teacher, a sheet of chart
paper. For each team, a copy of List of Farming Topics (Handout # 1.4, page 18). If
available, provide access to Chromebooks or I-Pads.
Create Directions for Use of the Resource Center. Suggestions include:
1. Use only one item at a time.
2. Take notes about what you are learning and include the source.
3. Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (SL 2.1).
Explain to the students that we will study more about the different types of farms. Form six
teams (cooperative learning groups). Have each team select one of the farms they want to
specialize in for their team project. Each group should do a different type of farm.
12
Step 1: Select Your Type of Farm Form teams of students, one team for each of the 6
farms listed below. Have each team meet to determine one crop or animal that represents
their farm. The teacher needs to guide the team decisions based on the resources available.
The Resource section on pages 45-46 provides a list of suggested books to use. Fact
Sheets for many animals and crops are available at
https://learnaboutag.org/resources/fact.cfm.
The animal farm selections will be quite easy. For example:
• dairy farms – cows (milk and cream)
• poultry farms – chickens (broilers)
• cattle farms and ranches - cattle and calves (beef, sheep or pigs/pork)
The crop farms offer more variety:
• grain farms – hay, wheat, rice
• fruit farms –strawberries, oranges, grapes, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, lemons,
tangerines, raspberries
• vegetable farms – lettuce, tomato, broccoli, carrots, garlic
Step 2: Questions Ask: “What are the things that need to be done on each farm to produce
crops or raise animals?” Discuss with students the many things they think a farmer needs to
know and do in order to grow plants and raise animals.
Record the questions on a chart named “Key Questions about Farming.” Underline the key
words in each question. The questions on this chart will help guide the teams as they do their
research.
Suggestion: To help students construct their farm mural later in the lesson, encourage them
to ask questions about what is found on the farm. These questions include:
• What types of crops and/or animals are found on the farm?
• What types of buildings are on the farm?
• What kinds of equipment are used on the farm?
• What types of chores need to be completed?
(Note: Refer to the detailed List of Farming Topics (Handout # 1.4). This list will be helpful
as you guide students in formulating a list of questions.
Step 3: Team Research In order to create their mural, students will participate in shared
research by reading several books about their farm topic (W 2.7) (RI 2.9). With guidance and
support from adults, students will also use a variety of digital tools to produce their mural in
collaboration with peers (W 2.6). The research and mural construction activity will take
approximately two weeks.
Optional Activity: Finding Information by Writing Letters, Emails, or Making Telephone
Calls. Indicate that it would be helpful to visit and talk directly to farmers who have the same
types of farms that we are studying, but this is not generally possible.
Since we can’t go to the different farms, each team may call or write for information about
their type of farm. Be prepared with internet addresses, phone numbers or addresses (W
2.4).
13
Direct each team to draft a letter or prepare an email or a
telephone conversation. Encourage students to get ideas
from the chart developed earlier, “Key Topics about
Farming and the Key Questions.” Review letter writing
skills and telephone manners.
Develop model letters or emails through shared writing.
Role play making a telephone call. Make the telephone
calls and/or send the emails, or mail the letters as soon as
possible (W 2.7)
Activity #5 Farm Murals
Materials needed: Materials for a mixed media mural include large sheets of neutral-toned
butcher paper for the background; tempera and watercolor paint; crayons; colored chalk;
construction paper to create three-dimensional paper sculpture objects that are glued to the
background; several sizes of sponges (use to smear, wipe, dot or trail the paint on the
background paper); glue; and, if desired, a variety of other papers such as tissue paper and
cardboard; mosaic materials such as sticks, stones, tiles, sandpaper and raffia (available
from craft stores);various containers for supplies, etc...
A mural is a design, or a pictorial representation executed on background paper using a
variety of media. It can be either two- or three-dimensional. To help students depict a scene
that visually illustrates the daily life of people who work on a type of farm, students should
use the information from the Resource Center and their research. It is recommended that the
buildings, farm equipment, animals, and farm workers be made separately as large cut-outs.
NOTE: DO NOT BEGIN THE MURALS UNTIL STUDENTS HAVE COMPLETED THE
RESEARCH DESCRIBED ABOVE IN ACTIVITY #4, STEP 3.
Mural Procedure: Now that the students have completed research on their type of farm,
each team will make a mural to show things that are needed on their type of farm to do the
necessary work to produce a crop or raise
animals. Students brainstorm to generate
multiple approaches to an art or design problem
(2.VA:Cr1.1).
Each mural should include the following:
• background/geographic features
• farmer and farm workers
• different types of buildings
• types of farm equipment
• crops and/or animals
Step 1: Making the Murals
Teacher Instructions: Organize groups, help students choose materials suited for the
project, and assist students in the organization of their murals. The size of the mural can vary
from small to part of an entire wall. The teacher should encourage students to be creative in
their use of materials while remaining as historically accurate as possible.
Dear Farmer, I'm in second grade. My
class is studying about farmers. Why do
you plant crops? Do you train your
animals? Is your hat made of straw? Why
do hens lay eggs? Why are you a farmer?
14
Constructing the Mural: Life on a Farm. Divide the class into 6 groups, one for each farm.
Each farm group will create a mural to illustrate life on their type of farm. Drawing upon the
geographical location of the farm and the research data, students will illustrate their
understanding of the physical environment and its effect on the lifestyle of the farm. Students
may create their art design using various materials and tools to explore their personal
interests, questions and curiosity (2.VA:Cr1.2).
Steps to complete the mural. Once the research is completed, begin work on the murals.
Large sheets of butcher paper are best, but use whatever paper and art medium is available.
Each group should:
1. Determine the background for their mural that depicts the local landscape. Tempera
paint may be applied to the neutral-toned butcher paper using paint brushes and/or
small sponges. Watercolor paint or colored chalk may also be used.
2. Discuss the proportions of the objects that will be constructed and then attached to the
mural.
3. Construct the buildings, equipment, and animals that will be depicted on the mural to
visually illustrate the daily life on the type of farm. Use construction paper to create the
objects that are glued to the background. A variety of other papers and materials may
be used. Refer to the “Materials needed” section at the beginning of this activity.
4. Using construction paper, crayons and material scraps (e.g. raffia from a craft store,
fabric, yarn), students create farm workers and decorate their farm worker based upon
the information in their research.
5. The teacher will need to guide each group as they place the items on their mural. After
arranging the items, students glue them in place on the mural background.
6. Add a title to their mural.
7. Demonstrate for students safe procedures for using and cleaning art tools, equipment,
and studio spaces (2.VA:Cr2.2).
Murals should be saved for the Food Festival Day.
Farm Mural Rubric includes:
• a background showing geographic features
• appropriate farm buildings
• types of farm equipment appropriate to the
farm
• farmer and farm workers doing their chores
• crops and/or animals
Assessment: Student projects include:
• Work in a group to sort various types of farm products into the farms where they are gown
or raised.
• (optional) Write an email, a letter, or use the telephone to locate information on the type of
farm being researched and for the type of food being processed
• Work as a group to create a mural reflecting the information read in the student research
and at the Resource Center. The mural should depict one type of farm including a
background with geographic features, typical buildings, equipment used, a farmer and
farm workers, and crops and/or animals. The mural should include a title.
15
Handout #1.1
California’s Top 20 Crop and Livestock Commodities
(Commodities and values from your state may be substituted.)
Commodity Value
1. milk and cream (dairy) $6,561,720,000
2. grapes $5,793,217,000
3. almonds (shelled) $5,603,950,000
4. strawberries $3,100,215,000
5. cattle and calves $2,625,413,000
6. lettuce $2,414,669,000
7. walnuts $1,593,900,000
8. tomatoes $1,054,001,000
9. pistachios $1,014,507,000
10.broilers (chicken, poultry) $ 939,409,000
11.oranges $ 933,745,000
12.broccoli $ 850,183.000
13.hay $ 758,121,000
14.rice $ 677,941,000
15.carrots $ 615,292,000
16.lemons $ 608,442,000
17.tangerines $ 535,325,000
18.cotton $ 475,318,000
19.raspberries $ 425,533,000
20.garlic $ 309,021,000
Note: California’s top 20 crop and livestock commodities accounted for $37 billion in value in
2017. Of the top 20 commodities, cotton, raspberries, lettuce, and walnuts experienced the
largest percentage growth in cash receipts during the year.
16
Handout # 1.2
Kinds of Farms
Most farms are specialized. They produce one or two main crops or kinds of farm animals.
Dairy Farms raise dairy cows for their milk and
cream. The milk is sold to dairies where it is processed and
packaged.
Poultry Farms – Poultry farms raise chickens
(broilers) for their meat. Egg farms raise chickens to lay eggs.
Grain Farms grow grain for making bread and
cereals and other foods. Some grains (hay) are grown for
animals. Rice is considered a grain. Cotton may be included
in this category.
Fruit Farms grow grapes, strawberries, oranges,
lemons, tangerines, raspberries, nuts (almonds, walnuts,
pistachios) and other fruits for people to eat.
Vegetable Farms grow lettuce, tomatoes,
carrots, broccoli, garlic and other vegetables. They are sent
to market and stores to be sold.
Cattle Farms and Ranches - beef cattle
and calves, pigs (pork), sheep and other animals are raised
for their meat.
17
Handout #1.3
California’s Top 20 Commodities Word Cards
milk and
cream
cotton
lemons
lettuce
grapes
almonds
tomatoes
chicken
broilers
broccoli
tangerines
strawberries
pistachios
rice
carrots
raspberries
cattle & calves
hay
walnuts
oranges
garlic
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Handout #1.4
A List of Farming Topics/Concepts to Research
• types of farms
• farm related vocabulary
• farm buildings and their purpose
• map of a farm showing various features, such as geography, field use, buildings, water
• typical family chores
• farm workers and their jobs, including their family life
• animals on farms as pets and workers
• equipment used
• tools used
• use of technology
• animal care and feeding
• jobs that come in contact with farming
• weed and pest control
• climate needs and concerns
• interesting facts/features
• people who have played a significant role in the agriculture industry
• planting, growing, and harvesting cycle
• soil preparation
• planting, growing, and harvesting needs
• costs for planting, growing, and harvesting food
• water source, how much is used, how it gets to the plants and animals
• food sources
• how food is preserved for family use on the farm
• how food/product is packaged for transporting
• how food/product is sold
• how food/product is transported when it leaves the farm
• destination of the product
• effects of weather through the seasons
• seasonal changes and their effects on the farm
• typical day on the farm today and long ago
• natural disasters
• size of farms and the implications of its size
• productivity per acre, bushel, etc.
• price when the farmer sells the food product
• local, regional, and state agriculture industry List developed by Janice Harbin
Agriculture Fact Sheets https://learnaboutag.org/resources/fact.cfm.
California produces more than 400 different agricultural commodities, providing an
abundance of fruits, vegetables, nuts, milk, nursery plants, flowers, fiber and livestock. Each
sheet in this set introduces an agricultural commodity, plant nutrient or agricultural topic.
Additionally, the sheets provide ideas for using this information in a lesson or activity.
19
Lesson 2: From the Farm to Our Table
Supporting Questions: How does our food get to our table? How is it
produced, processed into a variety of food products, distributed, and sold
to consumers?
Activity # 1 The Tortilla Factory by Gary Paulsen
Materials needed: Copy of the book, The Tortilla Factory by Gary Paulsen.
For each student, a copy of The Tortilla Factory (Handout #2.1, page 26) and The Tortilla
Factory without Descriptive Words (Handout #2.2, page 27)
Optional: Corn tortillas to be shared with the students after you read the story.
Display the text of The Tortilla Factory (Handout #2.1), and provide copies for each
student.
Procedure:
1. Explain to the students that the lyrical story you are going to read to them describes
the production of a tortilla, tracing its journey from seed to plant to factory and finally
as food on the table. Point out to students that the author uses many color words and
nouns.
2. Before reading the story, ask students to listen while you read for the color words that
describe some of the nouns (black earth, brown hands, golden corn, yellow seeds).
3. Read aloud the story. Try to read it pausing for a breadth at the commas and stopping
only at the periods. (This takes some practice.) Discuss the color words and the nouns
they describe. Describe how words and phrases supply rhythm and meaning in the
poem (RL 2.4).
4. Ask students to read the word that describes the people (laughing). Repeat with
machinery (clank-clunking) and disks (perfect). Read the story again having the
students locate other describing words in the story. Explain that these words add
details that make the story more interesting and easier to understand.
5. Explain to the students that action verbs often show sequence in a story. This story
describes a process for making tortillas. Reread the story leaving out the descriptive
words. Refer to The Tortilla Factory without Descriptive Words (Handout #2.2). As
you read, ask students to tell the first step (seeds planted). Continue adding each step
as you read. Have the students help you list all the action verbs they can find, i.e., mix,
push, squeeze, flatten, bake. (The verbs are listed in italics in Handout #2.2.).
Optional: Rewrite the story inserting new descriptive words into Handout #2.2.
6. Select several students (or involve the entire class). Read the full story once again
having the students act out the verbs that describe the production of a tortilla, tracing
its journey from seed to plant to factory and finally as food on the table. Describe the
connection between the series of steps in the technical procedures of the text (RI2.3)
7. Discuss the various types of jobs being described in the story. Ask and answer such
questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of
key details in the text (RI 2.1). Have students predict the kinds of workers needed for
each job (farmers, factory workers, bakers, truck drivers, delivery person).
20
8. Using information gained from the illustrations and words in the text, have students
demonstrate their understanding of its characters, setting, and plot (RL 2.7).
9. Help the students retell how the tortilla is produced, processed, distributed and sold to
consumers. As students retell the beginning, middle, and end of the story, ask them to
explain how the end of the story is like the beginning. Help children recognize that this
story is a circle that goes around and round (like a tortilla) (RL 2.5).
10. . (Optional) Share corn tortillas with the students after you read the story.
Background Information: Tortillas have been an important food source in Mexico for centuries
and they have become popular in the United States. Since 1970, tortilla sales increased as
national fast food chains and Mexican restaurants featured tortillas. By 2000, sales in the
U.S. were at $4.4 billion. Some analysts predict that tortillas will soon be the top-selling bread
product in the U.S.
Activity # 2 The Food Chain Story
Materials needed: Set up a display of food containers (products). For each student, a copy
of the Food Chain Story (Handout #2.3, page 28).
Procedure: Changes in Food Products Select one of the food containers, such as a jar of
strawberry jam. Ask students, “What do you think happened to the strawberries to turn them
into jam?” Select other food products and ask students about the ingredients and the
changes that occurred in the processing of the food.
Introduce the word “depend”. Explain that we depend upon other people to get our food. Ask:
“Who do you think are some of the people we depend on to provide our food?” Chart the
responses.
Write the following sentence frame on the board or chart paper (RI 2.7). Refer to the Food
Chain Story Handout #2.3.
The Food Chain Story
I depend on __________________________to get __________________________.
____________________________depends on_______________________________ to get
__________________________________.
Example:
I depend on my Mother to get me strawberries from the
store. My Mother depends on the supermarket clerk to get
the strawberries. The supermarket clerk depends on the
supermarket produce man to get the strawberries. The
supermarket produce man depends on the truck driver to
deliver the strawberries to the store. The truck driver
depends on the packer to wash and package the
strawberries. The packer depends on the picker to pick the
strawberries in the field. The picker depends on the farmer
to plant the strawberries in the field (RI 2.7).
21
With your help, have several students complete a food chain for other food containers you
have on display. Keep repeating the second sentence until the students can no longer think
of the next person in the “food chain”
Finally, distribute a copy of the sentence frame, The Food Chain Story (Handout #2.3) for
each student to complete. This activity is a good indication of knowledge of the “food
distribution chain.”
Activity # 3 From Farm to Table – Table Grapes
Materials needed: For each student, a copy of the Commodity Fact Sheet Table Grapes
from https://learnaboutag.org/resources/fact/grapes.pdf and From Farm to Table
(Handout #2.4, page 29). Optional: table grapes for students to eat as they sing Verse 7 of
Handout #2.4.
Step 1: Read information about the production of table grapes from the Commodity Fact
Sheet Table Grapes. Help students determine the meaning of words in the text (RI 2.4) and
provide scaffolding as needed since the text is beyond grade 2 complexity (RI 2.10).
Step 2: Explain to students they will sing a song about the workers who grow grapes and
move them from the farm to the table. Divide students into six groups. Distribute copies of
From Farm to Table (Handout #2.4). As you help students read all the verses, discuss each
verse to help students understand what the workers are doing. Using the text, create a flow
chart (diagram) to show the sequence of at least 6 stages for table grapes to show the roles
of farmers, processors, and distributors (RI 2.7). Compare and contrast the most important
points presented in the Table Grapes Fact sheet and the song (RI 2.9).
Group students and assign one verse to each group. Have children circle the verse their
group will sing. All groups will sing the last verse. Allow time for groups to think of actions
they can pantomime as they perform. Have children stand with their group. As you point to
each group in order, have the students sing and act out their verse to the tune of “Here We
Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush.” For the last verse (verse 7), have the whole class sing
together, pantomiming how they enjoy eating the snack.
Activity # 4 From Farm to Table – Processing Tomatoes
Materials needed: For each student, a copy of Commodity Fact Sheet Processing
Tomatoes available from https://learnaboutag.org/resources/fact/tomatoes.pdf
Procedure: Share information about the production of tomatoes from the Commodity Fact
Sheet Processing Tomatoes. Help students determine the meaning of words in the text (RI
2.4) and provide scaffolding as needed since the text is beyond grade 2 complexity (RI 2.10).
Work together to determine the steps necessary to process, distribute, and market the
tomatoes. Describe the role of farmers, food processors, and distributors (RI 2.7).
Activity # 5 The Role of Transportation Discuss the role of the truck driver. Chart all the
ways goods are transported. Add magazine pictures to the chart and/or student work to
illustrate the various modes of transportation. Using the student’s flow charts for reference,
determine at what point there is a need for transportation and whom the workers are that
provide the service. If transportation was not depicted on the flow charts, ask each team to
research and report on the distribution needs of their food product from the farm to the table.
22
Activity # 6 Team Flow Charts
Materials needed: Refer to the list of Books to Consider (listed below) and the Resources
section of the unit (pages 45-46) for suggestions of books to use in this activity. To create
their food flow chart, provide each team with large chart paper, marker pens and crayons.
Procedure: Explain that each team will draw a diagram to trace the sequence of a crop or
animal from the farm through a food processing plant/factory to the market. Assist each team
in choosing a food product to research. Using a variety of resources, have each team create
a flow chart of at least six stages that depicts their chosen food product as it travels from the
farm to market (RI 2.7). As needed, provide scaffolding since the Fact Sheets and other
materials are at the high end of the grade 2-3 text complexity band proficiently (RI 2.10).
Encourage students to be creative and inventive as they synthesize and relate knowledge
and personal experiences to create their work of art (flow chart), including the steps in their
flow chart (2VA:Cn10). Require students to include the workers in their flow chart.
(Optional) Have the students call, write, or email appropriate food companies. Most major
food companies have an 800-telephone number and a website.
(Optional) Student research may also include types of jobs performed at the processing plant;
an explanation of what happens during the food processing; a list of the ingredients of the
food products and where they come from; types of transportation used to get the products to
and from the processing plant; a history of the food, and/or an explanation of how much this
food is consumed around the world
Suggested flow chart stages are as follows:
Crops/Plants Animals
1. Planting 1. Baby animals
2. Growing and care of crop 2. Growing and care of animals
3. Harvesting 3. Full grown
4. Processing the crop to become 4. Processing the animal to become
food product food product
5. Packaging the food product 5. Packaging the food product
6. Transporting to market 6. Transporting to market
7. At the market 7. At the market
Flow Chart Rubric: The flow chart includes
• illustrations of at least 6 stages that the food (plant or animal) goes through, including
packaging and transporting from the farm to the market.
• workers who are involved with growing, processing and transporting food.
• (Optional) evidence of contacting a food company by letter, email or phone.
Books to Consider: To help students build their understanding of what happens in the flow
chart of food from farm to table, share the pictures and read portions of recommended books.
You may wish to select two or more books on the same topic and compare and contrast the
most important points presented by the texts on the same topic (RI 2.9). Examples include:
From Cow to Carton by Aliki, The Milk Makers by Gail Gibbons, and Hooray for Dairy
Farming by Bobbie Kalman. (You could call this “From Moo to You!”)
23
The story of The Little Red Hen by Paul Galdone is a good example of processing food and
can be used to develop a flow chart. Students can read the story independently and with
guidance make their own flow chart. It can be paired with Bread is for Eating by David and
Phillis Gershator, and From Wheat to Pasta by Robert Egan.
Other books to consider are Bananas by George Ancona and From Plant to Blue Jeans by
Arthur John L’Hommedieu.
Refer to the Resources section (pages 45-46) for reference citations. You may wish to
purchase two copies of the books you select so that you can cut them apart and have
students practice sequencing the steps on the flow chart. As an alternative, copies of the
pages can be effective instructional tools for the
sequencing activity.
Activity Idea: Read a book such as Make Me a
Peanut Butter Sandwich and a Glass of Milk by Ken
Robbins. Ask students to help identify what are six
key things that happen to peanuts as they travel from
the farm to the market. From the book, read the
portion about peanuts. Make a class flow chart about
peanuts with six steps to show the sequence. (Note:
Any similar book or resource may be used for a
different crop.)
Activity # 7 Technology Has Changed Agriculture
Procedure: Ask students how they think technology has influenced the agriculture business.
Discuss specialized needs such as refrigerated cars for bananas. Help students understand
that various inventions have made it possible for such things as high-speed transportation,
bar codes, shrink wrapped items, refrigeration. What other parts of the industry have been
affected by inventions and different technology?
Activity #8 Map of a Supermarket (A great project with creative artwork!)
Materials needed: floor plan maps of different supermarkets; butcher paper or unlined
tagboard; markers, crayons, and other art supplies as needed.
Step 1: Supermarket Floor Plan Discuss the role of a supermarket or grocery store. Share
samples of floor maps obtained from local supermarkets. With student input, create a list of
the major parts (departments) of a supermarket.
Step 2: Supermarket Teams Create 6 new teams. It is recommended that each team have
at least one person from each of the former “Farm Teams” (Lesson 1). This way each team
will have a “specialist” from one of the types of farms.
Step 3: Supermarket Rubric Working together, have students help design a rubric for what
should be included on their map of a supermarket. Suggestions include:
• Name of the supermarket
• Title, date, and symbol key for the map
From Peanut to Peanut Butter Flow Chart
24
• Food sections (produce, dairy, bread, frozen foods, canned goods and other appropriate
sections.)
• Cashier check-out section
• Loading dock/delivery area
• Cold storage area/other storage areas
• Meat and poultry packaging/butcher area
• Bakery
• Pharmacy
• Manager’s Office
• Grocery cart storage area
• Parking lot, including handicapped area
Step 4: Construction Help teams participate in collaborative conversations to generate
multiple approaches to their design problems for their supermarket (SL 2.1) (2.VA:Cr1.1).
Encourage students to be creative and inventive as they synthesize and relate knowledge
and personal experiences to create their work of art (supermarket floor plan) about events in
the life of their community (2.VA:Cn10).
Students work in their group to organize and develop their artistic ideas and create their art
design of a supermarket floor plan map using various art materials and tools (2.VA:Cr1.2).
Allow for time, space, and art tools for students to complete their project.
Step 5: Working, Cleaning Up, and Reflecting While working on the floor plan map and
upon completion, students should demonstrate safe procedures for using and cleaning art
tools, equipment, and studio spaces (2.VA:Cr2.2).
As students present their supermarket floor plan, encourage them to discuss and reflect with
their peers about the choices they made in creating their work of art (2.VA:Cr3).
Activity #9 Preparation for the Food Festival Day
Projects developed during Lessons 1 and 2 (the farm murals, the flow charts, and the
supermarket/warehouse maps) can be displayed at the Food Festival. Also displayed can be
the Classroom Museum with realia or artifacts related to food processing or preservation.
Refer to Lesson 3 for additional ideas.
Additional Team Projects: The teacher and students can choose to select any of the following
projects to be completed either individually or with their team. You may wish to have each
“team” established during Lesson #2, develop an exhibit and presentation about their food
product. Other activities for the Food Festival Day may include:
• present information on growing, harvesting and preparing a food product.
• using the flow charts developed in Lesson 2, prepare a food processing tour.
• research and share the history of a product and/or food.
• write job-wanted ads for a food-related worker.
• design product labels.
• create an advertisement poster for a product.
• write a food commercial.
• write a poem and/or a song about a product.
• give a cooking demonstration.
25
• construct a chart (list) of prices for a product.
• share the nutritional facts and ingredients from a product food label (i.e., peanut
butter).
• explain technological influences on the product.
• draw a diagram of a food plant and label the parts.
• research a food-related job that you might like to be when you go up.
• create a new food product.
• Create a survey for parents and guests to complete. For examples: Have you ever
lived on a farm? Yes or No. What is your favorite food. Afterwards, students can graph
the results.
ABC Book (Optional Activity) Create an ABC book based on the content of this standard.
Activity # 10 I Am Poem Format
Materials needed: For each student or pair of students, a copy of “I Am….” Poem Format
(Handout #2.5, page 30).
Students work independently or in pairs to write an “I Am Poem” based on a job of their
choice in the food chain – such as the farmer’s job or a job in the food processing
plant/factory. Refer to Handout #2.5 for the “I Am…” Poem Format. Students should recall
information from the above lessons or gather additional information from sources (W 2.8).
Assessment:
• Read The Tortilla Factory and retell how the tortilla is produced, processed, distributed
and sold to consumers.
• As a class, create a food chain story to explain the people we depend upon to get our
food.
• Trace several products to determine the steps to grow or raise the product, and to
process, distribute, and market the product.
• Work in a group to create a flowchart to trace the sequence of a crop or animal as it
moves through a food processing plant/factory to market.
• Work in a group to design a map of a supermarket.
• Write an “I Am Poem” based on a job of their choice in the food chain - such as the
farmer's job or a job in the food processing plant/factory.
• Plan and participate in the Food Festival Day.
26
Handout #2.1
The Tortilla Factory
by Gary Paulsen
The black earth sleeps in winter.
But in the spring the
black earth is worked by
brown hands that plant
yellow seeds, which become
green plants rustling in
soft wind and make golden
corn to dry in hot sun and
be ground into flour
for the tortilla factory,
where laughing people
and clank-clunking
machinery mix the flour
into dough,
and push the dough,
and squeeze the dough,
and flatten the dough…
…and bake the dough
into perfect disks that
come off the machine
and into a package
and onto a truck and
into a kitchen
to be wrapped around juicy beans
and eaten by white teeth, to fill a round stomach
and give strength to the brown hands
that work the black earth
to plant yellow seeds,
which make golden corn to be dried
in hot sun and be ground into flour…
27
Handout #2.2
The Tortilla Factory
by Gary Paulsen
The _____ earth sleeps in winter.
But in the spring the
_____ earth is worked by
_____ hands that plant
_____ seeds, which become
_____ plants rustling in
____ wind and make ______
corn to dry in ___ sun and
be ground into flour
for the tortilla factory,
where ________ people
and ______________
machinery mix the flour
into dough,
and push the dough,
and squeeze the dough,
and flatten the dough…
…and bake the dough
into _______ disks that
come off the machine
and into a package
and onto a truck and
into a kitchen
to be wrapped around _____ beans
and eaten by _____ teeth, to fill a _____ stomach
and give strength to the _____ hands
that work the _____ earth
to plant ______ seeds,
which make ______ corn to be dried
in ___ sun and be ground into flour…
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Handout # 2.3
The Food Chain Story
I depend on ______________
to get __________________.
________________________
depends on______________
to get __________________.
________________________
depends on______________
to get __________________.
29
Handout #2.4
From Farm to Table
Explain to students they will sing a song about the workers who grow grapes and move them
from the farm to the table. Divide students into six groups.
Duplicate and distribute “From Farm to Table.” As you help students read all the verses,
discuss each verse to help students understand what the workers are doing. Group students
and assign one verse to each group. All groups will sing the last verse. Have children circle
the verse their group will sing. Allow time for groups to think of actions they can pantomime
as they perform. Have children stand with their group. As you point to each group in order,
have the students sing and act out their verse to the tune of “Here We Go ‘Round the
Mulberry Bush.” For the last verse (verse 7), have the whole class sing together,
pantomiming how they enjoy eating the healthy snack.
Verse 1:
This is the way we tend the vines,
Tend the vines,
Tend the vines.
This is the way we tend the vines,
Working all together.
Verse 2:
This is the way we pick the grapes,
Pick the grapes,
Pick the grapes.
This is the way we pick the grapes,
Working all together.
Verse 3:
This is the way we wash the grapes,
Wash the grapes,
Wash the grapes.
This is the way we wash the grapes,
Working all together.
Verse 4:
This is the way we box the grapes,
Box the grapes,
Box the grapes.
This is the way we box the grapes,
Working all together.
Verse 5:
This is the way we haul the grapes,
Haul the grapes,
Haul the grapes.
This is the way we haul the grapes,
Working all together.
Verse 6:
This is the way we sell the grapes,
Sell the grapes,
Sell the grapes.
This is the way we sell the grapes,
Working all together.
Verse 7:
This is the way we eat the grapes,
Eat the grapes,
Eat the grapes.
This is the way we eat the grapes,
Working all together.
Follow-up: Have students draw a flow chart that shows the process of producing grapes and
getting them from the farmer (producer) to the table (consumer).
Source: Unknown
30
Handout # 2.5
I Am Poem Format
I am
I wonder
I hear
I see
I want
I worry
I dream
I try
I hope
I am
31
Lesson 3: Food Production Long Ago
Supporting Question: How did people get their food long ago?
Materials needed: Oxcart Man by Donald Hall. Artifacts
and/or photographs of the items mentioned in the book, such
as wool, shawl, yarn, mittens, spinning wheel, candles, linen,
wooden shingles, broom, potatoes, apples, honey, turnip,
cabbage, maple sugar, goose feather, wooden box, barrel,
yoke, coins, iron kettle, embroidery needle, knife, and
wintergreen peppermint candy. For each group of students, a
copy of Oxcart Man Products (Handout #3.1, page 33).
Make vocabulary cards for the words listed in Handout #3.1.
Information for the teacher: This book is rich in both nouns and verbs. Also, the story has
an episodic structure, including how the Oxcart Man “packed it,” “sold it,” “bought it,” and
finally “used it.” The vocabulary and the sentence structure make the text difficult. To develop
the content-rich vocabulary, it is helpful to include pictures or, if possible, have sample realia
and artifacts of each item (RI 2.4).
Activity # 1 Ox Cart Man by Donald Hall
Step 1: Read the Oxcart Man by Donald Hall. Discuss the goods the ox-cart man had to sell.
Ask the students how he got each of the goods (grew it/made it), how he got them to market,
how the customers paid him, and what he purchased.
As you read the book, display the illustrations by Barbara Cooney. Using the photographs
and/or artifacts of each product, have students help you sort the items into two categories,
those the Oxcart Man “made” and those that he “grew.” If desired, provide each pair of
students with a set of word cards of Oxcart Man Products (Handout #3.1). As you read the
story, have the pairs sort the word cards into “made it” or “grew it” categories.
Compare the Oxcart man’s methods to today’s methods for getting the same types of goods
to the customer and how today’s customers might pay for them.
Then and Now – Questions to ask…
• How do producers decide what to produce? What are the benefits? What are the costs?
• What skills do the producers need? What are the human resources (workers), natural
resources (land, water, sun, etc.), and capital resources (money and equipment) used by
producers?
• What role does transportation play in getting the products to market?
• How have technology and inventions influenced the way products get to market?
Note: Some farm workers still do manual labor even though technology and inventions have
strongly influenced the changes in farming and the food industry. The size and sophistication
of many farms have increased and the distance of delivering crops to the marketplace has
expanded dramatically.
32
Activity # 2 Classroom Museum
Procedure: Establish a Classroom Museum with a variety of print and non-print resources,
such as, memorabilia, antiques, artifacts, and realia. Label objects or classify them in some
way, such as an “Exhibit of Old Food Product Labels” or “Tools that Ranchers and Farmers
Use.” The museum is not the same as the Resource Center previously described. However,
some items from the Resource Center could be used in the museum as well. Students,
parents, community contacts, and the teacher can contribute to the museum.
Museum guidelines need to be established, such as:
• Ask permission before touching museum objects.
• Use museum objects for research and learning about history.
• Visit the museum during the posted visiting hours.
Activity # 3 What’s in The Box? Yes or No?
Introduce the “What’s in the Box/Bag?” activity. Put a canning tool or an old-fashioned meat
grinder or other type of artifact in a box or a bag. Show the box/bag to the students. Explain
that they are to try to guess what is in the box by asking questions that can be answered only
by “yes” or “no.”
What’s in the Box?
Student asks: “Is it metal?”
Teacher answers and records: Yes, It is metal.
Student asks: “Can you play with it?”
Teacher answers and records: No, you don’t play with it.
Student asks: “What color is it?”
Teacher says: “All questions need to have a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. How could you ask a
question about color so that you get a yes or no answer?”
Student asks: “Does it have more than one color?
Teacher answers and records: Yes, it has more than one color.
Continue the activity until the chart paper is filled. Review all the information on the chart.
Have students guess what they think the object is. List the guesses on the board. If the
students do not guess the correct answer, show them the item and explain what it is. Indicate
that it is a tool used to process food.
Bring several items for this activity. After you have modeled
the process several times, use students as the leaders and
the recorder. Encourage the students to also bring items for
this activity. Include this activity whenever possible since it is a
good problem solving and critical thinking activity. It also helps
develop skills that are good for artifact analysis.
Activity #4: Food – Now and Long Ago?
Students write and illustrate two sentences comparing food
production “Then” to food production “Now” (W 2.8).
Long ago people used wooden
plows to work in the farm. Today
people use a tractor.
33
Handout # 3.1
Oxcart Man Products
Cut out each of the following items. Sort them according to whether
the Oxcart man “grew it” or “made it.”
shawl
mittens
candles
linen
maple sugar
shingles
birch broom
wool (sheep)
flax
potatoes
apples
honey
honeycomb
turnip
cabbage
goose feathers
34
Lesson 4: Buyers and Sellers of Goods and Services
Supporting Question: What is the role of buyers (consumers) and sellers
(producers) of goods and services?
Activity # 1 Economic Vocabulary (Buyers and Sellers of Goods and Services)
Materials needed: Vocabulary cards for consumer, producer, product, business, goods,
services; For each pair of students, copies of Economic Vocabulary Cards (Handout #4.1,
page 39).
Procedure: Economic Vocabulary For each pair of students, distribute a copy of Economic
Vocabulary Cards (Handout # 4.1). Have students cut the word cards apart and set them
on their desk. As you introduce each word, have students hold up the word card.
Write the word “buy.” Display a word card for consumer and have each student pair hold up
their word card for consumer.
Explain that when you buy something, you are a consumer. Discuss the meaning of the word
consumer by asking the students to name something they like to buy (RI 2.4). Record the
items on a sheet of chart paper that has the heading shown below. (Note: For now, leave
blank the two columns to the right.)
I am a consumer. Things
I like to buy are:
Display the word card for producer and have each student pair hold up their word card for
producer. Explain to students that a producer makes, grows, or sells products (RI 2.4).
Discuss further the meaning of consumer by asking students to name a place that sells the
things they like to buy. Display a word card for business and have each student pair hold up
their word card for business. Explain that the place that sells things is called a business.
Add a 2
nd
column to the chart and have students name a business that sells each item.
I am a consumer. Things
I like to buy are:
Name of a business that
is a producer (sells)
what you like to buy:
Explain to students that a business is a place that sells things called goods or services.
Display a word card for goods and have each pair hold up their word card for goods. Goods
are products or things that can be bought or sold. Discuss the meaning of goods as things
you can hold or touch. Goods include items such as food, shoes, cars, and toys (RI 2.4).
Display a word card for services and have each student pair hold up their word cards for
services. Services are the work that people do for others in exchange for money. Some
people offer services which, when performed, help others. Examples of services include
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medical care, hair styling, baby-sitting, teaching (providing education), removing garbage,
and delivering the mail or newspaper to a home or business (RI 2.4).
Which of these workers make goods, and which give services? Ask students to respond to
this question by holding up the appropriate word card (RI 2.4):
• teacher (service)
• farmer (good)
• doctor (service)
• cook (good)
• carpenter (good)
• firefighter (service).
Return to the chart begun earlier. Add a 3
rd
column for goods and services. Remind students
that consumers are people who buy goods and services.
I am a consumer. Things
I like to buy are:
Name of a business that
produces (sells) what
you like to buy:
Is the product a good or
a service?
As you review each item in Column 1, determine whether it is a good or a service. If your
chart contains mostly goods, ask the students to name services they buy and add them to the
chart.
Activity # 2 Reinforcing Economic Vocabulary
Materials needed: For each pair of students, the Economic Vocabulary Cards (Handout
#4.1, page 39) and Using Economic Vocabulary Cards (Handout #4.2, page 40).
As you model the appropriate language, have students hold up the appropriate word card:
A bakery is a business. A baker is a producer. Bread is a good we can buy.
Fill in the blank with the correct vocabulary word. Display a copy of Handout #4.2 or
provide a copy for each pair of students. As you read the following sentences, have students
work in pairs to raise their word card to determine the meaning of words in the blank (RI 2.4)
(RI 2.10). After the activity is done orally, have pairs work together to write in the proper word
in each blank.
1. Workers can make and sell different___________________ .(goods)
2. A person who grows, makes, or sells something is a _________________. (producer)
3. Things that people buy and sell are called ___________________. (goods)
4. When people do things for other people and get money, these things are called
__________. (services)
5. A dentist provides ______________. (services)
6. A shoe store sells _________________. (goods)
7. A hair salon supplies _____________________. (services)
8. A person who buys goods is called a _________________. (consumer)
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9. Flowers are ________________ that people sell. (goods)
10. When you provide ________________, you do things for people. (services)
Activity # 3 I Have It, You Want It Game
Procedure: Play the I Have It, You Want It Game. The first student names a job and tells
whether it provides a good or service. For example:
• I am a dentist and I provide a service.
The next player answers as a consumer and tells a specific good or service they get from the
producer. For example:
• I am a consumer and I want to have my teeth cleaned.
The same player then names a new job and whether they produce a good or service and play
continues until everyone has had a turn.
Activity # 4 Interdependence of Buyers and Sellers
Step 1: Price of a Pencil Discuss with students where they get their pencils and how much
they think pencils cost.
Log on to a stationery store website such as Staples. Search for Staples #2 Wood Pencils,
yellow. Determine the unit price for one pencil. For example, if a box of 48 pencils costs
$6.59, show students how to use a calculator to determine the unit price. $6.59 divided by 48
equals 0.13729. Explain that this means one pencil costs approximately 14 cents.
Step 2: What if… Ask students to predict how consumers would react if the price of pencils
rose to $10 each. Ask students to explain their prediction.
Ask, “How do you think the producers would react?” After discussion, explain that a higher
price for a good or service provides incentives for buyers to purchase less of that good or
service. The higher price provides incentives for producers to make or sell more of the good
or service.
Step 3: Falling Price Predict how consumers would react if the price of a pencil fell to $.01
each. Explain your prediction. How do you think the producers would react? After discussion,
explain that lower prices for a good or service provide an incentive for buyers to purchase
more of the good or service and for producers to make or sell less of it.
Step 4: Prices Can Go Up and Down Ask students the price they have paid for a
hamburger, French fries, and a soda. Discuss the different prices.
Explain that in our marketplace, the place where goods are sold, the price of goods can go up
and down. There is no central planning agency that decides how many different kinds of
sandwiches are provided for lunch every day at restaurants and stores, how many loaves of
bread are baked, how many toys are produced before the holidays, or what the prices will be
for the sandwiches, bread and toys. Most prices are established by the interaction between
buyers and sellers.
Step 5: How Much Do You Charge? Ask students what prices they have charged for
services they have performed. These services might include selling lemonade, feeding a
neighbor’s pet or walking a dog while its owner is on vacation, or doing household chores.
What might happen if you charge too much? Too little?
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Step 6: How Much Should Something Cost?
Procedure: Have students participate in a collaborative conversation to select a product they
would like to produce (SL 2.1). It may be a product that is already available, or it may be a
completely new product.
What skills will you, the producers, need to create the product? What will be the human
resources (people who do the work), natural resources (land, water), and capital resources
(money, equipment) you will need to produce the product?
As the producer, how will you decide what price to charge for your product? What are the
benefits of your product? What are the costs? For example, how does a computer store
decide what to charge for each product? How do producers decide what to produce (RI 2.4)?
If time allows, follow the same procedure for creating a service to offer. What skills will be
needed? What human, natural, and capital resources will be needed? How does a hair stylist
decide what to charge for a haircut? How does a dentist decide what to charge for his service
(RI 2.4)?
Activity # 5 Create an Advertisement
Materials needed: a variety of catalogs and advertisements for students to examine; a copy
for each pair of students of Write an Advertisement (Handout #4.3, page 41) and Write an
Advertisement – Student Rubric (Handout #4.4, page 42); for each student, a copy of the
Advertisement Evaluation Form (Handout # 4.5, page 43) and, a copy of the chart of
Persuasive Writing Words (See Step 2).
Step 1: Advertisements Explain to students that businesses work to encourage people to
buy more of their products. Ask students, “What types of things might a business do to
encourage you to buy more?” (They advertise, they have sales and special promotions).
Share a variety of catalogs and advertisement for students to examine. Discuss the
descriptive language that copywriters (writers of ads) use to make goods or services
appealing to consumers. Identify the adjectives and catchy phrases. Point out ways the
copywriters urge consumers to buy certain products.
Step 2: Persuasive Writing Display the following chart:
Persuasive Writing Words
Always
Best
Convenient
Definitely
Easy
Everyone
Exclusive
5 Star
Free
Limited
Guaranteed
Incredible
Magnificent
Most
Must Have
New
9 out of 10
Most Popular
Spectacular
Take Action
Model how to design the “copy” for an advertisement using one or more of the Persuasive
Writing Words. Provide lots of practice with different examples. Once students get the idea,
help them design and orally present advertisements for a variety of goods and services.
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Step 3: Write an Advertisement Provide each pair of students a copy of Write an
Advertisement (Handout #4.4) and Advertisement Evaluation Form (Handout #4.5).
Writing Prompt: Write an advertisement for a good (product) or service you want to
sell. Use details to describe the item so others will want to buy it.
STEP 1 With your partner, talk about advertisements for goods and services you have
seen. Think about what the advertisements say and show.
STEP 2 Imagine you have grown or made a product or have a service you want to sell.
• List some colorful words that describe it.
• What is special about your good or service?
• Why should consumers want to buy this item?
STEP 3 Use your list to write an advertisement to sell your good or service. Use
persuasive language so that people will want to buy it.
STEP 4 Review your work to make sure you have used correct spelling, punctuation,
and capitalization.
STEP 5 Make the changes. Then copy your ad neatly.
Distribute a copy of the Write an Advertisement - Student Rubric (Handout #4.4).
With students, review the guidelines and the rubric. With guidance and support from adults,
students use a variety of digital tools or visuals to produce and publish writing (an
advertisement) in collaboration with peers (W 2.6), (2.VA:Cr1.1) and (2.VA:Cr1.2).
When completed, display each of the advertisements. Have each student review all of the
advertisements and complete a copy of the Advertisement Evaluation Form (Handout
#4.5) to evaluate which 3 ads they feel are the most effective and the reasons for their
choice. Discuss and reflect with peers about the choices made in creating their art
(advertisement) (2.VA:Cr3).
Assessment
• Work with a partner to identify the correct economic vocabulary word to fill in the blank of a
sentence read by the teacher.
• Predict how prices change when the number of buyers or sellers change.
• Predict how prices change when there is either a shortage or a surplus of the product
available.
• Working with a partner, design an advertisement for a good or service you want to sell. Use
details and persuasive words to describe the item so others will want to buy it.
• Evaluate advertisements designed by classmates, select 3 ads you feel are the most
effective, and explain your choice.
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Handout # 4.1
Economic Vocabulary Cards
Duplicate one copy for each pair of students. Students cut the word cards apart.
consumer
producer
business
goods
services
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Handout #4.2 Using Economic Vocabulary Cards
1. Workers can make and sell different______.
2. A person who grows, makes, or sells something
is a ______________.
3. Things that people buy and sell are called
___________________.
4. When people do things for other people and get
money, these things are called ___________.
5. A dentist provides ______________ .
6. A shoe store sells _________________.
7. A hair salon supplies __________________.
8. A person who buys goods is called a ______.
9. Flowers are _____________ that people sell.
10. When you provide ______________, you do
things for people.
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Handout # 4.3
Write an Advertisement
Writing Prompt: Write an advertisement for a good (product)
or service you want to sell. Use details to describe the item so
others will want to buy it.
STEP 1 With your partner, talk about advertisements for
goods and services you have seen. Think about what
the advertisements say and what they show.
STEP 2 Imagine you have grown or made a product you want
to sell. Or you have a service you want to sell.
• List some colorful words that describe it.
• What is special about your good or service?
• Why should consumers want to buy this item?
STEP 3 Use your list to write an advertisement to sell your
good or service. Use persuasive language so people
will want to buy it.
STEP 4 Review your work to make sure you have used
correct spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.
STEP 5 Make the changes. Then copy your ad neatly.
Persuasive Writing Words
Always
Best
Convenient
Definitely
Easy
Everyone
Exclusive
5 Star
Free
Limited
Guaranteed
Incredible
Magnificent
Most
Must Have
New
9 out of 10
Most Popular
Spectacular
Take Action
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Handout #4.4
Write an Advertisement
Student Rubric
Writing Prompt: Write an advertisement for a good (product) or
service you want to sell. Use details to describe the item so others will
want to buy it.
Directions: Use the numbers 1 to 4 to describe how well you
think you completed this activity. Circle the number for the
score you think you deserve. 4 is the highest score and 1 is
the lowest.
Our advertisement clearly shows that we want to sell a good
or a service.
4 3 2 1
We described our good or service with many details.
4 3 2 1
We used persuasive language so that people will want to buy
our good or service
4 3 2 1
We used correct spelling, punctuation and capitalization in our
advertisement.
4 3 2 1
Name________________________ Date______________
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Handout # 4.5
Advertisement Evaluation Form
Review all the advertisements created by your classmates. As a consumer, select the
THREE advertisements you think are the most effective. List them on the chart below.
Explain the reasons for your choice.
My Favorite
Advertisements
List the good or service
being sold in each of the
ads you think are the
most effective.
Reasons for My Choice
Explain the reasons you think the advertisement is effective.
1.
2.
3.
Name________________________ Date______________
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Extended Activities for From the Farm to the Table
Goods and Services
Use the book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
to engage students in an activity about goods and services. Introduce the book by explaining
that this is a story about a day in the life of a boy about your age. Direct the students to listen
for all the ways the boy, his family and friends use goods and services. If several copies of
the book are available, have students work with partners, reread the story, and identify the
goods and services. Then chart the student responses.
Goods Services
gum
Mrs. Gibson driving children to school
skateboard
Mrs. Dickens teaching the students
sweater
Paul’s mother fixing his lunch
car kit
Dr. Field finding a cavity
cereal
Mother driving car
code ring
cupcakes
Hershey bar
There are also inferred services, such as Alexander’s mother fixing his lunch
Food Labels and Packaging
Investigate package labeling by examining three or four products. Conduct a survey of
parents and friends to determine if shoppers read labels on packages. Chart responses.
What do the labels tell us? Is it important to know what is contained in the product? Why?
Sarah Morton’s Day by Kate Waters
This story is about a girl who lived long ago. Encourage the students to think of how people
got their food long ago. Read the story and review the pictures. Discuss how people lived
long ago. With partners, discuss what they think Sarah ate. Source: Plimoth Plantation,
Plymouth, Massachusetts. An excellent book to use as a resource to learn more about Sarah
Morton and the way the Pilgrims lived in the 1600s is The Pilgrims of Plimoth. Written and
illustrated by Marcia Sewall, the original publisher is Simon & Schuster, but it is also available
from Aladdin Picture Books.
Processing or Preserving Food
Introduce and read Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey. Show the inside front cover
two-page picture spread. Discuss the pictures with the students. Discuss and explain what
Sal and her mother are doing and why.
Classroom Demonstration
Demonstrate different methods of processing and preserving food. Invite parent volunteers
who responded to the parent letter, the Cafeteria Manager, and/or the District Food Manager
to talk about this topic.
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Resources for From Farm to Table
Agricultural Fact and Activity Sheets. California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom.
https://learnaboutag.org/resources/fact.cfm. Go to the “Teaching Resources” tab. This is a
key resource for the unit, especially Lesson 2. Teachers from other states should access their
state’s Department of Agriculture.
Aliki, Milk: From Cow to Carton (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Book). 1992. Harper Collins.
Readers go on a guided tour that begins with grazing cows, proceeds through milking and a
trip to the dairy, and ends with some different foods made from milk. It provides
an informative explanation of milk's trip from green grass, to cow, to a glass on the table.
Ancona, George. Bananas: From Manolo to Margie. 1990. Houghton Mifflin School. This
book follows the journey of a banana from Honduras where it is grown to North America
where it is eventually consumed.
Bell, Rachael. Chickens (Farm Animals). 2000. Heinemann (paperback). Colorful
photographs on each page take a close look at where chickens live, what they eat, how they
sleep, and how they grow. Other books in the series, including cows and pigs, are helpful for
the types of farms in Lesson 1.
Egan, Robert. From Wheat to Pasta. 1997. Children’s Press (paperback). A part of the
Changes series, this photo essay book details in words and photographs the steps in making
various kinds of pasta from growing and harvesting the wheat through the grinding of the flour
to making the dough and shaping the final product.
Galdone, Paul. The Little Red Hen. 1985, reprint edition. Clarion Books. This time-tested
cautionary tale is about how we reap what we sow. When the hen asks a cat, dog, and
mouse for help planting some wheat, she gets no takers. They won’t water, cut, or grind the
wheat or help bake a cake. Galdone, the Caldecott Honor artist, uses detailed ink and wash
illustrations to show children what it takes to make a cake (not bread in this version).
Gershator, David and Phyllis. Bread is for Eating. Illustrated by Emma Shaw-Smith. 1995.
Henry Holt and Company. (Available in hardback and paperback). Mamita explains how
bread is created in a rhythmic song sung in both English and Spanish. Rich, vibrant paintings,
reminiscent of Guatemalan folk art, depict a variety of peoples and breads. Colorful symbolic
borders surround most of the pages. The stages of making bread include the planning and
sprouting of the seed, the farmer, harvester, miller, storekeeper, baker to the consumer.
Gibbons, Gail. Farming. 1988. Holiday House (paperback). This book is an introduction to
farming and the work throughout the four seasons. The text and illustrations are simple and
appealing for students. It defines and illustrates six kinds of farms at the end of the book.
These are the farms used for the farm mural project. Multiple copies would be useful.
Gibbons, Gail. The Milk Makers. 1987. (Reading Rainbow Book). Aladdin. (paperback.) This
interesting, informative book provides details on the stages of milk production from how the
cows produce the milk to how it is processed before being delivered to stores. The book is
recommended for the flow chart activity.
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Hall, Donald. Ox-Cart Man. Barbara Clooney, Illustrator. 1983. Puffin Books. (paperback).
The lyrical journey of a family long ago as it travels through the days and weeks, the months,
and the changing seasons to produce food and other hand-made products on their farm.
Then they sell the products and buy new products in a town some distance from where they
live. It is a good book to use to help students learn about family and farm life in the past.
Kalman, Bobbie. Hooray for Dairy Farming. 1997. Crabtree Publishing. This book uses large
print and colorful, clear photographs to look at life on a dairy farm, describing how the cows
are housed, fed, cared for and milked.
Knight, Bertram. From Cow to Ice Cream (Changes Series). 1997. Children’s Press.
Describes in photographs and brief text the steps involved in making the ice cream we buy at
the market or the ice cream parlor.
L’Hommredieu, Arthur John. From Plant to Blue Jeans. (Changes Series).1998. Children’s
Press. This photo essay describes the process of making blue jeans from the harvesting of
cotton through the weaving of cloth and sewing the final product.
McCloskey, Robert. Blueberries for Sal. 1976 Puffin Books (paperback). Originally published
in 1948. In captivating illustrations, the author-artist tells what happens on a summer day in
Maine when a little girl and a bear cub, wandering away from their blueberry-picking mothers,
each mistake the other’s mother for its own. The quiet humor is entirely childlike, and there is
just the right amount of suspense. A two-page picture spread shows an early kitchen from
about the 1920’s with the girl and her mother canning blueberries.
Paulsen, Gary. The Tortilla Factory. 1998. HMH Books for Young Readers. This prose poem
describes how corn is harvested and made into tortillas. Warm-toned paintings by Ruth
Wright Paulsen set the stages. The book is used to introduce Lesson 2.
Reminisce Magazine http://www.reminisce.com/ This nostalgia magazine has photos,
pictures, personal stories, and numerous examples of the past and how it shapes our lives
today. Subscribe to the print edition of Reminisce and receive free digital access.
Robins, Ken. Make Me a Peanut Butter Sandwich and a Glass of Milk. 1992. Scholastic. This
book looks at what goes into the making of a peanut butter sandwich, shows readers how the
bread dough is mixed, rises, and bakes, and describes how peanuts are grown, harvested,
crushed into peanut butter, and jarred.
Viorst, Judith. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Ray Cruz,
Illustrator. 1987, reprint edition. Atheneum Books for Young Readers. (paperback.) Alexander
goes through a typical day and experiences many unfortunate incidents. Students enjoy
reading about Alexander and can usually relate their own lives to his quite easily. This story
also helps by providing many examples of goods and services. Alexander Who Use to Be
Rich Last Sunday (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2012), by the same author, is also
recommended for use with this lesson.
Waters, Kate. Sarah Morton’s Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl. 2008, reprint edition.
Scholastic Paperbacks. This book follows one day of a pilgrim girl, Sarah Morton, on
November 12, 1627 as she goes about her day. Full-color photographs taken at Plimoth
Plantation, a living history museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts, will transport you back to
the time of the Pilgrims. Samuel Eaton’s Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Boy, also by Kate
Waters, is about a day during the summer rye harvest in 1627.