Task 3: Lesson Ideas (Farming)

http://ncmoa.org/artnc/pictures/artifact/full/57.jpg and http://ncmoa.org/artnc/pictures/artifact/full/58.jpg

A field of cut burley tobacco and Jim Symre and family planting tobacco by Rob Amberg may seem to be two strange pieces of art to relate to an elementary school lesson but I was immediately drawn to both. The reason I chose these was due to the farming in our local community and that tobacco farming is part of that. Social studies is the main reason I chose these photos because in third grade we discuss how the local community and region changes over time and what the impacts are (farming is big in our area) but I can also see using these to cover science, language arts, math, and arts content. All of these content areas would intertwine from the starting point of these photos!

Here is how I would incorporate each content area:

Language Arts: Students would have various reading assignments that would be done with groups. The students groups would be responsible for reading about both photos, reading information about farming, learning about the needs of plants, etc.. The students would split these reading task and when the information was needed they would share with their group mates in order to make sure a full understanding is gained. One person or two people per group with the be the experts in what they read while still having accountability for all with the reading tasks. This accountability would come through questioning. If a student did not understand what his group mate read then he would have to ask questions to get clarity.

Science: Student would learn about photosynthesis and what it takes for plants to grow. Students would then plant their own plants and be responsible for taking care of them. While this was going on other plants would be planted (3 plants per group) and one would be placed by the window and would receive no water, another would be placed in the closet, and the final one would be put in the window and watered when needed. The students would keep a log on how to plants grow.

Math: To incorporate math with the above science tasks the students would need to do measurements for their log. Students will measure the height of their plants and write the information on their log. After each week the students will add their total growth and record this information on the log also.

Art: To incorporate art the students will discuss and learn about the impact of color on art. They will learn if certain colors cause different emotions or feelings. The question the students will try to answer is whether color would change the feeling of the artwork.

There is a lot more I could add to these plans but like normal my mind is spinning and I am trying to make everything flow. I am sure other teachers will agree that sometimes we have so many ideas that putting all in a functional order takes time. So excited about so many possibilities!