Farm-to-Kids Texas Mixed 3-5

Farm-to-Kids Texas Mixed 3-5 Educational Module

This program contains six engaging lessons that use hands-on experience to teach students introductory concepts in biology while promoting healthy, local, seasonal eating. This module builds off of the introductory concepts presented in the Farm-to-Kids Texas K-2 Educational Module, but can also be taught to students who did not participate in the earlier module.

Each lesson covers a new topic in the biological sciences and ends with a recipe that the whole class can prepare and eat together. At the end of this educational module, students should know the life cycle of a plant, what environmental conditions support healthy plant growth, and the unique role that plants fill in the global food chain.

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tilt shift lens photography of five assorted vegetables

3rd-5th Grade Lessons Overview

LessonScienceMain IdeaObjectivesActivitiesLocal Food FocusMake ItTaste It
1-Plant Life Cycles10CFlowers turn into fruits, which contain seeds. Seeds grow new plants of their same species.Explore the life cycle of a plant.Bean life cycle sequence cardsVegetables for dippingBean dipBean dip
2- Soil7ASoil characteristics determine what plants can be grown in an area.SWBAT describe differences in soil texture, color, and the capacity to retain water. SWBAT explore the connection between soil nutrients and plant needs.Water capacity experiment, soil sample observationsRoot vegetablesPeeling and cutting root vegetablesRoasted root vegetables
3- Fresh Food Nutrition3BEating a variety of naturally colored food helps your body stay healthy.Analyze nutritional labels for important information.Nutritional label comparisonColorful vegetablesRainbow saladRainbow salad
4- Producers9AProducers need sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make their own food.SWBAT draw a diagram of the inputs and products of photosynthesis.Photosynthesis diagramTomatoesSalsaChips and salsa
5- Consumers9AConsumers must eat other organisms for their food.SWBAT differentiate between producers and consumers.Producers and consumers card sortBroccoli, carrots  
(winter vegetables)
Pasta saladPasta salad
6-Seasonality8AAn area’s climate determines the food that grows in that area.Determine which foods grow during fall, winter, spring and summer.Seasonality wheelRaw seasonal vegetablesChopped saladChopped salad
Extra Lesson #1  
Chicken Adaptations
10AChickens have adaptations that help them to survive.SWBAT explore chicken genetics and describe the life cycle of a chicken.Chicken breed matchingEggsDeviled eggsDeviled eggs
Extra Lesson #2  
Bees
10ABees use adaptations such as antennae and pheromones to locate and collect food.SWBAT identify honeybees and the roles of bees in a hive. SWBAT describe pollination.Pollination and the Waggle DanceHoneyPeanut Honey BallsLocal honey and Peanut Honey Balls