STUDYING FARM ANIMALS IN DETAIL
Kansas' Largest Classroom Lesson Plans
Kansas State Fair
Level: Elementary School, Grades 2-3
Topic: Reading and Science
Objectives: Gain skills in reading comprehension and vocabulary
Gain knowledge of farm animals and products
Materials: Reading material dealing with farm animals or farm families
Before the Fair
1. Read and discuss farm stories with students. Develop vocabulary following normal procedures. For example, a female goose is a goose, a male goose is a gander and the babies are called goslings, the plural for goose is geese.
2. Students will each choose a farm animal to investigate. They will locate at least one non-fiction book and one internet source about their animal. Information sought:
a. Names for male/female and offspring
b. Gestation period
c. Products derived from the animal
d. Diet (what the animal eats)
3. Make sure that a Farm animal Trivia bulletin board is available in the classroom for the students to read and learn more facts about farm animals.
At the Fair
1. Visit as many of the animal exhibits as possible, including the Birthing Center, Milking Parlor, Livestock barns and Pride of Kansas Building. Collect information on farm animals.
2. Challenge students to find two or three new pieces of information about their animal.
After the Fair
1. The students will present the information gathered in an oral report to the class. The
report will include information from the book and information gathered at the State
Fair. Each student will develop a poster to enhance the oral presentation.