Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix
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Lesson Plans (6)
Animals on the Farm
Students discover that farm animals produce different types of products. Grades PreK-K
Farm Animal Life Cycles
Students investigate six major livestock species, discover that animals need air, space, food, water, and shelter to survive, explore the life cycle of a farm animal, and identify the products each farm animal produces. Grades K-2
Pigs on the Farm (Grades 3-5)
Students explore the basic needs of animals and create a model of a modern pig barn that will help farmers meet the needs of animals. Grades 3-5
Pigs on the Farm (Grades K-2)
Students explore the basic needs of animals and create a model of a modern pig barn that will help farmers meet the needs of the animals. Grades K-2
This Little Pig
Students explore basic information about pigs and the products they provide. Grades K-2
Truth or Hogwash?
Students work in teams to play a game in which they answer true/false questions about swine and then research and develop questions of their own. Grades 3-5
Companion Resources (19)
Ag Challenge Task Cards
Ag Challenge Task Cards can be used during soft/STEM start times, as a brain break, or as a fast finisher activity. Students simply read the cards and draw, build, or discuss the solution to an agricultural industry problem. This resource was developed by 2022 Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture Award winner, Meaghan Porritt.
FUNdamentals of Farming Game
Farming is a risky business. Droughts and severe storms, equipment problems and outbreaks of animal disease can all occur unexpectedly and impact a farm negatively. This printable classroom board game teaches secondary students about animal disease management. Students take roles as a farmer, accountant, purchaser, or veterinarian to manage a pig farm. They will learn and use methods to prevent disease such as vaccinations and quarantine as they buy and sell animals at the auction.
Farm Pop-Ups
Students use this template to create a pop-up game to reinforce agricultural concepts concerning various plants and animals. Templates are available for apples, cows, dairy, pigs, sheep, and turkeys. Teachers can use the blank template to create their own pop-ups to reinforce concepts and understanding for any area of study.
Down on the Farm: Pigs
From the "Down on the Farm" series, Pigs, will teach why pigs are raised on farms and various other facts about their life cycle, how pigs communicate, size, and by-products that come from pigs. You will also learn about breeds of swine around the world.
Ewe Bee Ewe: A Sheep Tail
Welcome to the vibrant world of "Ewe Bee Ewe," where Leon the sheep shines brighter than the rest! Join Leon on his radiant adventure through the pituresque landscapes of colorful Colorado, where he discovers the joy of sharing his glowing attitude with all his farmyard friends.
Farm Animals
Farm Animals is a 32-page book filled with facts to learn about many types of farms and the animals that live there. The book includes real-life pictures and color illustrations. In addition to the text, each page includes a fun fact. Readers will learn why traditional farm animals such as beef cattle, dairy cattle, goats, sheep, chickens, and pigs are kept on farms. They will also learn why specialty farms raise ducks, geese, fish, and ostriches.
Farms Feed the World
A simple introduction to the beauty and variety of farms from a wheat field in Montana to a rice paddy in Indonesia to the harvesting of seaweed from the ocean, to corn, pigs, and wool on farms around the world. Through simple text and stunning photographs, this book shows how farmers provide the world with food and fiber.
My Family's Farm Book Series
Learn through the eyes of young farmers how animals are cared for, crops are raised, and renewable resources are used as they take you for a tour of their family's farm. This digital book series includes titles for beef, corn, soybeans, wind (energy), pigs, and apples.
One Stubborn Goat (Farm Friends)
The annual Pumpkin Festival is only one month away! This year, Poppy is in charge of the annual goat races. There's only one problem. Vincent Van Goat isn't interested in racing—or even running for that matter. He's more interested in eating grass, chasing butterflies, and napping with the pigs. Poppy is determined to make Vincent a star...but can she find a way to celebrate his hidden talent?
Pigology: The Ultimate Encyclopedia
Pigs are full of unexpected surprises. Did you know that when a pig is happy, it will uncoil its curly tail and wag it just like a dog? Or that feral hogs can detect odors from seven miles away? Pigology delves into the history of pigs, pig breeds around the world, famous pigs, pigs in culture, and so much more.
Pigs
This book teaches about the domestication of the pig, how pigs are used, their life cycle and different types (breeds) of pigs. This book is interlaced with many facts including what they eat, how fast they grow, and how to care for pigs.
The Perfect Barn
Have you ever wondered about the purpose or function of different types of barns? The Perfect Barn is a captivating story about an owl that searches for a barn that would meet her needs and tells the story about some of the modern-day uses of barns. In the book, the main character, Barn Owl, takes flight to find the perfect barn. On her journey, she discovers various types of barns and the animals that live there—chickens, pigs, dairy cows, and sheep. Will Barn Owl find the perfect barn? At the last farm, Barn Owl makes a great discovery.
The Pig War
In 1859, the British and Americans coexist on the small island of San Juan, located off the coast of the Pacific Norhwest. They are on fairly good terms—until one fateful morning when an innocent hog owned by a British man has the misfortune to eat some potatoes on an American farmer's land. In a moment of rash anger, Lyman Cutlar shoots Charles Griffin's pig, inadvertently almost bringing the two nations to war. Tensions flare, armies gather, cannons are rolled out...all because of a pig!
Pork Ag Mag
The Pork Ag Mag was written for elementary and middle school students. In this issue, students learn about the history of domesticated pigs, the life cycle of a pig, careers, fun facts, and more. This ag mag includes specific statistics for North Carolina, the 2nd largest pork producing state. Visit the Interactive Map to discover where your state ranks in pork production. The reader can be viewed by students electronically on individual devices, as a class with a projector, or printed.
About...Books
If you are a teacher who creates educational books with your children, try creating the About Cattle, About Sheep, About Chickens, About Pigs, and About Goats books. Some of the books provide pages ready to color, others require the names of the animals be written, and other pages ask students to glue down feed samples or wool products. The books provide an opportunity to talk about animal needs, uses, offspring, seasonal changes, etc. The package of materials includes ready-to-copy booklet masters and enough samples of wool, hay, straw, cattle, pig, and chicken feed for the entire class to create the booklets. Order this kit online from agclassroomstore.com.
Farm Animals in a Box
This kit is designed to support various forms of homeschool, virtual learning, and online classes by providing ready-to-use supplies to facilitate hands-on learning and discovery. The kit contains materials for one student to complete a variety of activities found in the following resources: Animal or Plant? ; Animal Life Cycles (Activity 2); About Farm Animals Mini Kit ; Hatching Science with Classroom Chicks (Activity 3); Baa, Ram, Ewe...Sheep Tales (Activity 3). Order this kit online from agclassroomstore.com.
On the Flip Side cards
These interactive "On the Flip Side" cards enable students to assess the environmental impact of raising livestock within our food system from multiple perspectives. Students will use the cards to explore connections between livestock and factors such as traditions, cultures, nutrition, and geography. They will also consider technologies aimed at reducing the environmental impact of livestock. Order this kit online from agclassroomstore.com.
Livestock Flowchart
This three-page informational sheet describes the processes of how an animal grows, how it gets from the farm to the store, and what products are produced from that animal. Words and simple graphics are used to portray this information for beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens, and turkeys. Print your own or order a set of 30" x 8" printed charts from agclassroomstore.com.
Livestock Cards
Double-sided cards representing four livestock species. These cards can add a reading supplement activity to lesson plans to help teach the basic principles about beef cattle, dairy cattle, pigs, and poultry. The cards can be printed from the attached PDF or ordered from the Nebraska Foundation for Agricultural Awareness.