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SP09 EDM300 Penny - Saving Farmer George

by Michael Cox

Teacher page

Introduction

Introduction:

This lesson was designed to let the students creatively learn about different aspects of modern agriculture, and its effects on the environment. It is designed for seventh grade students in a general science class. Students will research and give a presentation covering more specifically the topics of irrigation, crop rotation, pesticides, and safe infestation control. Students will be separated into groups of 4, and each student will be responsible for one of the aforementioned topics. The students will research the area they are responsible for, and create a presentation in which they'll report their findings. In addition, each group will come up with a plan to fix the farm, and create a model of a farm that practices good agriculture techniques.

This project covers multiple intelligences, and allows students who learn in different ways to be able to contribute to and enjoy the project. The oral presentation is great for students of linguistic intelligence. Students with spatial intelligence will enjoy coming up with the plan for a healthy farm. And because this project deals greatly with plants and animals, students of naturalistic intelligence will enjoy the project as a whole. In addition, any students with interpersonal intelligence will enjoy working in the group setting.

The first stage of the project is simply researching and recording. Although it is a little dry and doesn't foster much creativity, this is necessary to give students the background knowledge they will need for the presentation and model-making stages. The presentation stage is good for students because it will give them more practice in public presentations, which will be more frequent as they progress through the school system. The final stage of the project is where the students will use higher order thinking; they will have to come up with a plan for the farm which will correct its current problems and make the farm more efficient in the future. Students can do this in any way they want (allowing for more student creativity), so long as they adequately demonstrate a good plan for the farm.

Learner

Learner:

This lesson has been developed for seventh grade science, it involves problem solving as well. The issues involved in this lesson will continue to be a problem in the world, so any grade could benefit from the use of this type of lesson.

Prior to the lesson:

  • Students will need to understand how to use their research to develop a plan. (i.e. How they can weed out teh most important information in their research.
  • Students will need to understand how to create a poster or 3D model

 

Standards

PA.SCI.3.2.7.D.3  >--- Propose the best solution.
PA.SCI.3.2.7.D.4  >--- Design and propose alternative methods to achieve solutions.
PA.SCI.3.2.7.D.5  >--- Apply a solution.
PA.SCI.3.6.7.B.1  >--- Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of a graphic object designed and produced to communicate a thought or concept.
PA.SCI.3.6.7.B.3  >--- Apply the appropriate method of communications technology to communicate a thought.
PA.SCI.3.7.7.A  Describe the safe and appropriate use of tools, materials and techniques to answer questions and solve problems.
PA.SCI.3.7.7.A.1  >--- Identify uses of tools, machines, materials, information, people, money, energy and time that meet specific design criteria.
PA.SCI.3.7.7.A.3  >--- Assess materials for appropriateness of use.
PA.SCI.3.7.7.C1  Explain and demonstrate basic computer operations and concepts.
PA.SCI.3.7.7.C2.1  >--- Demonstrate age appropriate keyboarding skills and techniques.
PA.SCI.3.7.7.D  Apply computer software to solve specific problems.
PA.SCI.3.7.7.D.1  >--- Identify software designed to meet specific needs (e.g., Computer Aided Drafting, design software, tutorial, financial, presentation software).
PA.SCI.3.7.7.D.3  >--- Identify basic multimedia applications.
PA.SCI.3.7.7.D.6  >--- Apply basic graphic manipulation techniques.
PA.SCI.3.7.7.E  Explain basic computer communications systems.
PA.SCI.3.7.7.E.1  >--- Describe the organization and functions of the basic parts that make up the World Wide Web.
PA.SCI.3.7.7.E.3  >--- Apply basic on-line research techniques to solve a specific problem.
PA.SCI.3.8.7.B  Explain how human ingenuity and technological resources satisfy specific human needs and improve the quality of life.
PA.SCI.3.8.7.B.3  >--- identify and explain specific examples of how agricultural science has met human needs and has improved the quality of life.
PA.SCI.3.8.7.C  Identify the pros and cons of applying technological and scientific solutions to address problems and the effect upon society.
PA.SCI.3.8.7.C.1  >--- Describe the positive and negative expected and unexpected effects of specific technological developments.
PA.SCI.3.8.7.C.2  >--- Describe ways technology extends and enhances human abilities.
PA.ENV.4.2.7.A.3  >--- Compare means of growing or acquiring food.
PA.ENV.4.3.7.A.3  >--- Describe different types of pest controls and their effects on the environment.
PA.ENV.4.3.7.A.4  >--- Identify alternative products that can be used in life to reduce pollution.
PA.ENV.4.3.7.B  Describe how human actions affect the health of the environment.
PA.ENV.4.3.7.B.1  >--- Identify land use practices and their relation to environmental health.
PA.ENV.4.4.7.A.1  >--- Compare and contrast agricultural changes that have been made to meet society's needs.
PA.ENV.4.4.7.A.2  >--- Compare and contrast how animals and plants affect agricultural systems.
PA.ENV.4.4.7.A.3  >--- Compare several technological advancements and their effect(s) on the historical growth of agriculture.
PA.ENV.4.4.7.C.1  >--- Analyze the needs of plants and animals as they relate to climate and soil conditions.
PA.ENV.4.4.7.D  Explain the improvement of agricultural production through technology.
PA.ENV.4.5  STANDARD: Integrated Pest Management
PA.ENV.4.5.7.A  Explain benefits and harmful effects of pests.
PA.ENV.4.5.7.B  Explain how pest management affects the environment.
PA.ENV.4.5.7.B.1  >--- Explain issues related to integrated pest management including biological technology, resistant varieties, chemical practices, medical technology and monitoring techniques.
PA.ENV.4.5.7.B.2  >--- Describe how integrated pest management and related technology impact human activities.
PA.ENV.4.5.7.B.3  >--- Identify issues related to integrated pest management that affect the environment.
PA.ENV.4.5.7.C  Explain various integrated pest management practices used in society.
PA.ENV.4.5.7.C.2  >--- Compare integrated pest management to past practices.
PA.ENV.4.5.7.C.3  >--- Compare and analyze the long-term effects of using integrated pest management products.
PA.ENV.4.9.7.A.2  >--- Explain the role of local and state agencies in enforcing environmental laws and regulations (e.g., Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Agriculture, Game Commission).

Reflection on Standards

Reflection on Standards

  1. The student will identify different types of pests harmful to plants
  2. The student will identify how to rid of harmful pests using alternatives to pesticides
  3. The student will identify the long term effects of using pesticides
  4. The student will identify the needs of plants in relation to climate and soil condition
  5. The student will identify natural resources needed for agricultural systems
  6. The student will identify the benefits to using irrigation systems in agriculture
  7. The student will create a poster or 3D model of their proposed plan

Resources

Resources:

  • All students will need access to a computer with internet
  • Students will need materials to create a poster or 3D model of their proposed plan.
  • This lesson can be completed using only one teacher because it is very independent and clearly explained on the Web Quest.
  • Aides in the classroom can assist students on how to use their research to answer the specific questions they need to answer.

Evaluation

Refer to the student evaluation for specific requirements. Each student will need to speak about their specific part of the plan in order to receive a grade.