Curated OER
Organic Farming / Agriculture
Want an organic farming resource packed with experiments, background information, science fair projects, and topics of interest for further research? Here it is. Young environmental scientists can explore concepts involved in organic...
Agriculture in the Classroom
Farmland: GMOs and Organic Agriculture
Learn more about genetic modification, organic farming, and the role of biotechnology in agriculture by watching a documentary that shows how newly gained knowledge can be applied to specific situations involving farmers and the choices...
Curated OER
Organic Mechanic Part I
On day one of the "Organic Mechanic Part I" instructional activity, learners try to remove the waxy coating of an apple and consider pesticides that may be represented by this addition to our food. On day two, they research pesticides...
EngageNY
Using Search Terms for Further Research: Industrial Organic Food Chain
Class members conduct independent research to continue examining the consequences of the industrial organic food chain from Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma. Pupils learn about source credibility and effective search terms, then...
Earth Day Network
Staying Green While Being Clean
Clean up the environment with a lesson that focuses on replacing hazardous cleaning supplies with green, environmentally-friendly products. Using a dirty patch of surface as a control area, kids clean other parts of various surfaces...
Curated OER
What's Organic?
Students discuss background information presented by the teacher and read dictionary definitions for the words "organic" and "synthetic." In this gardengin instructional activity, students complete a worksheet on the material. Students...
Curated OER
By the Pound
Agriculture surrounds us every day; incorporate measuring tools into a study of Oklahoma's agricultural industry! Small groups read an informational text (included) before visiting stations where they investigate prices of various...
Curated OER
The Cream of the Crop
Students read and discuss article, "Simple Method Found to Vastly Increase Crop Yields," then research the basic components of conventional and organic agricultural methods. They, in groups, organize and present their research to the class.
Curated OER
Slow Food: A Different Path
Students investigate the slow food movement through a reading and activity. In this slow food lesson, students read about the differences in fast food and slow food and the ties to sustainable agriculture. They nominate a local specialty...
Curated OER
The Economics of Organic Agriculture
Students examine how organic agriculture affects farm profitability and how government programs affect organic agriculture. In this organic agriculture lesson students complete an activity on costs and returns.
One Hen
Making Choices
When choosing what foods to eat, there are a lot of factors to consider. To help make the decision a little easier, young learners work in small groups developing short plays, stories, or advertisements that address the different issues...
Curated OER
Friends on the Farm
Young farmers explore the world of farm animals. They are introduced to a variety of animals, what their role is, how many legs they have, and what sounds they make. Worksheets and websites embedded in the plan are used to carry it out....
Curated OER
Sustainable Livestock
Young scholars investigate healthy eating habits by researching livestock. In this food sustainability lesson, students research the negative impact factory farming has on our environment due to pollution. Young scholars define...
Curated OER
What's Organic?
Students define and discuss terms organic and synthetic, read article pertaining to organic agricultural practices in Oklahoma, complete worksheet, grow plants using both commercial and organic fertilizer, compare growth rates, and chart...
Curated OER
Fighting for Fair Farming
Students consider various economic terms, examine the impact of subsidies on farmers and other industries, write essays explaining the subsidy process, and illustrate through posters how subsidies affect both domestic and foreign markets.
Curated OER
Why Eat Organic?
Ninth graders explore the concept of organic eating. In this environmental stewardship lesson, 9th graders compare and contrast organic foods with conventional foods and discuss the benefits of eating organic foods.
Curated OER
Pest Populations: A Game of Survival
Pupils identify and classify populations of pests in the home, school and community. They recognize the specific conditions needed for the survival of an organism considered a pest and list tactics for control measures.
Chicago Botanic Garden
Introducing Ecosystem Services
Ecosystems provide many things humans not only use but also need in order to survive. The last instructional activity in the series of seven introduces scholars to the idea of ecosystem services, that ecosystems provide humans with many...
Curated OER
Real People, Real Farms: Case studies of organic agriculture
Eighth graders study examples of organic agriculture from around the country. For this sustainable agriculture lesson students apply what they learn to real life situations.
Curated OER
The Pumpkin Patch - A Venture in Agritourism
After reading an article about how agritourism is helping boost the financial stability of local farms, middle schoolers answer comprehension questions. This is a case-study of Canadian pumpkin producers. It could be useful as a...
Curated OER
Taming Wild Land
Third graders consider the habitat needs of living things and how extensive farming in an area can affect the plants and animals of a region. They participate in a simulation to show how changing the habitat in one area can greatly...
National Park Service
A Tale of Two Men
Theodore Roosevelt and the Marquis de Mores were both born in 1858, and both came to the Dakota territory in 1883, but they influenced the developing country of America in different ways. Elementary and middle schoolers apply written and...
Smithsonian Institution
Strength in Solidarity: Coalition of Immokalee Workers and the Campaign for Fair Food
Not all food is created equal. The lesson dives into the world of migrant farm workers to show their struggles to earn livable wages and better working conditions. Academics learn why the Coalition of Immokalee Workers was created and...
Curated OER
Toward a Sustainable Agriculture
Learners analyze organic production systems. In this organic agriculture lesson, students examine key organic practices for both crop and livestock. This lesson includes 5 different activities, 4 critical thinking questions and...