Farm Animals

Subject Area(s):

• K-12: Foreign Language
• K-12: Science
• K-12: Technology
• K-12: Language Arts
• Music
• Art Connections
• Working With Others

Grade Level(s):

• K-2nd Grade

Description:

2nd grade students will learn how to use an online library catalog to search for books on a farm animal. They will be given a list of animals to choose from, and will then learn how to type a search into an age-appropriate catalog. They will choose and order two books from these results.

This lesson will be the start of a longer farm animal unit which will include a science unit about the animals, a brief presentation to the rest of the class (a few facts they have learned about their animal), an art project (a clay model of their animal), a foreign language lesson (the names of the different animals in Spanish), a field trip to a farm, and finally a presentation to their families of a farm-themed song and dance musical.

Goals & Objectives:

Instructional Goals:

Students will learn how to search an online library catalog for relevant sources.

Learning Objectives: 

Using the MCLS Kids’ Catalog Web, 2nd grade students will be able to find and order 2 books about a farm animal of their choice.

Motivational Goals:

• Generate interest in the research process.
• Build confidence in students’ ability to use an online search tool.
• Demonstrate relevancy/value of information skills.
• Encourage continued exploration of the topic.
• Promote satisfaction in accomplishments.

Materials:

• computers with access to library catalog,
• Spanish dictionary,
• writing and art supplies.

Procedures:

Introduction: 

• Explain to the class that they will be researching farm animals. 
• Students choose their own farm animal and will be taught how to find books on their animal. 
• Students will use what they learn about their animal in other projects including sharing their knowledge with the class, creating a work of art, learning Spanish, going on a field trip to a farm, and performing a musical for their families. 

Body:

• Ask the students to share what resources they could use to find information about an animal.  Some answers may include asking parents or a teacher, the internet, and books.
•  Tell the students they will be learning how to find a book on a certain topic.  (The database they will be learning how to use will be that of the local public library, Monroe County Library System Kids’ Catalog Web.) 
• Have the students choose a farm animal they would like to learn more about.  They can draw a picture of their animal to help you and them remember their choice. 
• Show the students how to type in the name of a farm animal in the subject field.  Have the students try it themselves, and help with spelling or computer usage as needed.
• The students will choose 2 books about their animal that they would like sent to them.
• Review the book choices with the students to make sure they are appropriate, so there are no disappointments when the books arrive.
• Show the students how to order the books they chose.

Conclusion: 

• Once the books come in, the students will take them home to read with their parents.  They will write 1 or 2 sentences about their animal to share with their class. 
• The class will learn additional facts about these animals during a science lesson.  Each student can ask something they would like to know about their animal (such as where do they sleep or how long do the babies live with their mothers). 
• Students will create their animal out of clay in art class.
• Students will learn the word for their animals in Spanish, and sing Old MacDonald in Spanish.
• Students will go on a field trip to a farm, where they can feed certain animals and take part in other activities such as measuring how much food the animals eat and going on a horse drawn carriage ride.
• Students will learn songs and dances in music class, and present a musical about farm animals to their families.

Assessment:

Learning Assessment Method(s):

- After the student has chosen two books to order, the library media specialist and/or teacher will check the description of the book to make sure it is an appropriate book about the farm animal the student has chosen. (It would be important to make sure the book is appropriate before the order is placed so that the student is not disappointed when it arrives.)

- The library media specialist and classroom teacher will interact with the students throughout the lesson, assisting with typing in searches and reading as needed.

- The library media specialist and classroom teacher will observe students sharing what they have learned and written about their animal with the class.

- The library media specialist and classroom teacher will observe students' excitement and confidence about learning research skills by their enthusiasm to share their knowledge and continue using this knowledge throughout the unit.

Supporting Files:

• IMPACT_Lesson_Planning_farm_animal_worksheet.doc
  Farm Animal Worksheet

Standards:

National Information Literacy Standards (K-12)

Accesses information efficiently and effectively.

• Recognizes the need for information.

Evaluates information critically and competently.

• Selects information appropriate to the problem or question at hand.

Uses information accurately and creatively

• Produces and communicates information and ideas in appropriate formats

Participates effectively in groups to pursue and generate information.

• Shares knowledge and information with others.
• Subject: K-12: Technology

National Content Standards (K-12)

• Understands the nature and operation of systems
• Subject: K-12: Science

Life Sciences

• Understands relationships among organisms and their physical environment