Jona Welle Social Studies Grade 6

Farming Day 2 Modern Methods

Objectives:

After completing this lesson, students should be able to:

1)  have an understanding of the purpose of modern farming

2)  give examples of new technology in the farming industry, and how it effects the role of the modern farmer

3)  get a brief idea of future trends in farming

4) compare farming methods of the past with those of today

Rationale:

Now that the students have the proper knowledge of farming in the past, it is time to compare it to that of today. I want the students to see the obvious changes in farming trends and see how it will change even more in the future. This I think is especially important because as the farming industry changes, so will the economic and social environment around it, and no matter how shallow we go into it, the little knowledge they will receive should be enough to stimulate thoughts and opinions on the topic.

Procedure:

·   I will start the class with a mini-lecture on modern farming including: family dynamics, technology used, main purpose of farming, and other general ideas

·   during lecture, students will be encouraged to ask questions or comments

·   I will also be giving notes on the overhead of the main points for the test

·   following the lecture I will explain the criteria for an assignment that we will be working on involving the internet, I want them to find any information on modern day farming in the Midwest including any of the following or more: examples of farms, new technology, types of farming, reasons for farming, etc.

·   next we will go to the computer lab to look through the internet for our assignment, I will be walking through the room helping students and answering questions

·   to end to class we will head back to the room, where I will remind them to bring permission slips for our field trip, and to study for the test on day 4

Assignments:

-    the students need to study for the upcoming test

-    hand in permission slips

- work on the internet assignment, with this assignment I will ask the students to quote an internet site, print out any relevant or interesting material, and finally in a half page summary explain to me what they found

Materials:

Overhead Notes Pictures

Computer Lab Printing Paper

Evaluation:

Students will be evaluated based on the assignment. I will have gone throughout the computer lab looking at the different sites students are looking over, to see if they are staying on task. Also, the students will be evaluated based on their test results. On day 4, we will have a large group discussion over their findings on the internet.

Reflective Questions:

How has farming changed over the years?

Why is it able to thrive on specialization of farming now, when in the past it was virtually impossible?

What part does technology play in modern farming?