• NYS Agriculture In The Classroom 

    Lesson Plans: Science of Life Explorations Through Agriculture

    ** SOLE stands for Science of Life Explorations through Agriculture. It is a set of lesson plans, grouped into themed units, developed by NYAITC in conjunction with Cornell's Integrated Pest Management program. Each lesson ties key concepts of agriculture and natural resources into the classroom curriculum for grades four and five, and is aligned with New York State Learning Standards across subject areas.**

    General Agriculture

    • Let's Explore Agriculture 
      • Students will understand Food and Fiber Systems of farming through activities targeting plants, animals, and the globalization of agriculture.
    • Many Types of Farms
      • Students will understand that farms come in different sizes and can grow crops, raise animals, or both. Many different animals, traditional or exotic, can be raised on farms. Students will have more awareness about where many foods and other products come from.

    Plant Science

    • The Right Plants
      • In this lesson, students will learn that plants - vegetables, flowers, shrubs and trees - should be planted with thought and care to their needs. They are introduced to annuals and perennials and the influence of climate in New York State. Students will consider how variables such as shade, sun, dry or wet soil, and plant size at maturity must be considered before a gardener or farmer plans a seed or seedling.
    • Seed of Knowledge
      • Students will learn how to write letters
    • Experimenting with Seeds
      • Students will understand Food and Fiber Systems of farming through activities targeting plans, animals, and the globalization of agriculture.
    • Grow an Indoor Salad Garden 
      • In this lesson, students will compare and contrast the needs of indoor and outdoor plants. They will take on responsibility for raising three different types of plants indoors and learn their specific needs. They will chart all steps in the plants' life cycles and make observations on their growth. Students will also conduct a survey and use the results to make a chart.
    • Harvesting the Garden
      • Students will compare and contrast the process of harvesting, processing, and preservation of food, and be able to recognize that growing food is a business that involves many risk factors.

    Soil Science/Composting 

    • Vermiposting
      • In this lesson, students will learn they can create a valuable product out of things they would normally throw in the trash. Students will learn about recycling and options for disposing of trash.
    • What's Living in my Soil? - In this lesson, students will learn that soil is full of life and activity, and will discover some of the small creatures that inhabit the soil community. They will learn to draw a soil community incorporating what they've learned.
    • Composting for Better Soil 
      • In this lesson, students will learn about composting: its definition, its effect on soil, how to make it, and what lives in it.
    • Harvesting the Garden 
      • Students will compare and contrast the process of harvesting, processing, and preservation of food, and be able to recognize that growing food is a business that involves many risk factors.

    Hydroponics 

    Insect Anatomy/IPM

    • Insect Anatomy - At the end of this lesson, students will have an understanding of what products come from hogs. Fun activities include throwing a "Pig Party," making pig masks, and making mobiles of pork by-products.
      • Thanksgiving - Students will fill a bulletin board cornucopia with foods served at their Thanksgiving dinner. Discuss that these foods came from farms across America. Lesson comes with activities and the history of Thanksgiving for teacher resources.
      • Beef - Learn how beef is produced as well as what products and food come from cattle. Graph the classes' beef preferences by voting on favorite beef foods. Lesson comes with activities and a game.