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Farming and food chains

Science Year 2
This unit is part of Year 2 Science Gardens and Allotments

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Objectives

Find out more about farming first-hand and play farms in the classroom. Understand why farms are so important to the food chain and why farmers think protecting the environment is so important.

Science Objectives
i) Identify that most living things live in habitats to which they are suited and describe how different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of animals and plants, and how they depend on each other.

ii) Identify and name a variety of plants and animals in their habitats, including microhabitats.

iii) Describe how animals obtain their food from plants and other animals, using the idea of a simple food chain, and identify and name different sources of food.

Working Scientifically

  1. Ask simple questions and recognise that they can be answered in different ways.
  2. Observe closely, using simple equipment.
  3. Perform simple tests.
  4. Identify and classify
  5. Use their observations and ideas to suggest answers to questions.
  6. Gather and record data to help answer questions.

Extended Writing Opportunities
Recount: Write a recount of your visit to a farm or the farmer visit to your school for inclusion on the school website.
Letter: Write thank you letters to the farmer. Thank her/him for all the important work she/he does.

You Will Need

Provided Resources

  • 'Visiting a Farm' sheet
  • Matching game
  • Match the Food Chain game

Additional Resources

  • Photocopies of a local map (make sure it includes a farm)
  • Small world farm toys
  • Tuff tray
  • Several sets of wellies and overalls
  • Hat (for farmer role play)
  • Green apron and doctor's kit for vet role play
  • Bandages
  • Toys
  • Egg boxes
  • Bags
  • Telephone
  • Order pad and price lists
  • Plastic foods
  • Till with money
  • 'What the Ladybird Heard' by Julia Donaldson

Weblinks
CBeebies programme 1 about life on a farm from www.bbc.co.uk
CBeebies programme 2 about life on a farm from www.bbc.co.uk
CBeebies programme 3 about life on a farm from www.bbc.co.uk

Lesson Planning

Teaching

  • Look at a map of the area and identify any farm nearby.
  • Visit a farm or have a farmer visit the school. Understand the jobs a farmer has to do and why.
  • Understand the role farms play in the food chain and why they are important .
  • Set up and use role-play farms in the classroom.

Activities

  1. Become familiar with a farm near the location of their school.
  2. Visit a farm or have a farmer visit the school and gain an understanding of farming.
  3. Understand the role farms play in the food chain and why they are important.
  4. Undertake several role plays of different jobs associated with farming.

Investigation - exploring, researching and analysing secondary sources
Visit a farm or have a farmer visit the school. Understand the jobs a farmer has to do and why. Play farms with the small world play and set up a role-play farm in the classroom.

Vocabulary
Growth, germination, planting, edible, mini-beasts, habitats

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