FARM/RANCH MANAGER: FARMING IN TENNESSEE
LESSON PLAN OVERVIEW Career: Farmers and ranchers grow crops and raise animals to supply our food. Lesson: This lesson plan provides activities for students to learn where our food comes from. Students will learn about some of the crops grown in Tennessee and will calculate crop yield to determine the best use of land to make the most money. Students will also explore hydroponics (growing plants in water) and will create a classroom hydroponic garden. Grade Level: Elementary Grades Learning Objectives: 〉 〉
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Students will explore the career of a farm/ranch manager and learn about what they do. Students will learn about crops grown in Tennessee and will calculate crop yield to determine the best use of land to make the most money. Students will explore hydroponics and learn how plants can grow without soil and then perform a hydroponic experiment.
Materials Needed: Activity #1: Agriculture in Tennessee 〉 〉
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Activity #2: What is Hydroponics? 〉 〉 〉 〉 〉 〉 〉 〉 〉 〉
TABLE OF CONTENTS Lesson Plan Overview ............. 1 Teacher Guide ......................... 2 Lesson Instructions ...................2 Class Message & Video ..............2 Class Discussion Questions ........3 Activities Overview ...................3 Career Insight ......................... 4 Standards Alignments ............. 5 Educator Rubric ....................... 6 Activity #1: Agriculture in Tennessee ............................... 7 Instructions .............................7 Handouts.................................8
Student worksheet Activity #2: What is 2-liter plastic bottle – 1 per group Hydroponics? .......................... 9 Scissors to cut the top off the 2-liter bottles Growing media – clay pellets or coconut coir* Instructions .............................9 Nutrients – Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Plant Handouts............................... 11 Food or other similar plant nutrients* Water – tap water or filtered water Wick material – use thin cotton rope or cut a towel in 6 to 8-inch strips Seeds – herbs such as basil and mint or strawberries Aluminum foil (optional) – helps reduce the amount of algae in the water Light source – windows for natural sun light or a lamp with LED lights
*You can find these materials at your local garden center. Copyright © 2023 by SAI Interactive, LLC. Learning Blade & Career Blade are registered trademarks of SAI Interactive, LLC.