Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Agricultural Commodities In order to download lessons, you will need to use Acrobat Reader. If you do not have a copy of Acrobat reader, click here to get one free. Animal Agriculture Farm Animals / Beef / Bees and Honey / Bison / Chicken and Eggs / Dairy / Fish / Goats / Horses / Pork / Sheep / Turkeys Plant Agriculture Crops / Alfalfa / Corn / Cotton / Flowers, Fruits and Vegetables / Forestry / Hay / Peanuts / Pecans / Potatoes / Pumpkins / Turfgrass / Watermelon / Wheat Ag in My Community Includes a chart showing agriculture production by county.   ANIMAL AGRICULTURE Farm Animals / Beef / Bees and Honey / Bison / Chicken and Eggs / Dairy / Fish / Goats / Horses / Pork / Sheep / Turkeys OSU Livestock Breeds Website Ag in the Classroom Oklahoma Livestock Jeopardy Farm Animals Candy, the Cow, and the Mystery Machine (MS Word) (PowerPoint) Harper's First Rodeo (MS Word) (PowerPoint) Lillie, the Lamb, and the Scary Secret (MS Word) (PowerPoint) Piper, the Pig, Has a Day Out (MS Word) (Power Point) Poems and Songs About Farm Animals Ag in My Community Includes a chart showing agriculture production by county. Barnyard Bingo Students mark bingo cards as they recognize the farm animal sounds in the song "The Farmer in the Dell." Biosecurity Keeps Us All Safe Students discern between valid and invalid resources and write informative research papers. Farm Babies Students use flash cards to learn names for mother and baby farm animals, then play a game in which students designated as babies must find students designated as mothers. How Germs Spread Students learn about techniques used by poultry producers to prevent the spread of disease and conduct a test to help them visualize the spread of germs. Made From Animals Matching farm animals with the products they produce. Preventing Disease in Meat Animals Students research animal diseases and examine why they should matter to us. (6th - 8th grade language arts) Taming the Wild Aurochs Students read about the development of animal husbandry, outline the information and arrange steps in sequence. They Don't Just Eat Grass Students compare and contrast different energy values of feeds by graphing the net energy for maintenance and percentage of fat for a variety of feed types. A Trip to the Animal Fair Students examine the needs of pets and other animals and compare them with their own needs. top Beef Beef Facts Cattle and Calf Facts Cattle Breeds Giant Cheeseburger Pattern Meat Recipes Beautiful Bovine Volunteer is dressed as a cow to demonstrate purposes of the different body parts of a cow and to show how a cow is different from a human. Beef is Good for You Students chart nutritional information about beef. Beef or Dairy? Students learn to distinguish between beef and dairy cows. Bill Pickett, Bull Doggin' Cowboy Students will be introduced to Pill Pickett, An Oklahoma rodeo personality, who pioneered the rodeo act of bulldogging. Bovine Oversteps Boundaries Students will read the true story of Grady, the Silo Cow from Yukon, and write headlines for the story. Build a Burger Students explore the components of a hamburger and build models of their own to create a balanced, nutritious meals. Chew It Twice The student will trace the path a cow’s food follows through its body. Chewed Paper and Sticky Stuff Students make adhesives from some common food substances and use flour paste to make pinatas and other crafts from papier mache. Don't Fence Me In Students learn the history of barbed wire and its impact on the development of the west and practice identifying geometric terms using examples of some common styles of barbed wire. The Farmer And The Cowman Students make booklets showing the difference between a ranch and a farm. Food for Keeps Student explore food preservation methods and make beef jerky. Genetics: A List of Traits (was "Hairy Heredity") Students flip coins and sort beans to demonstrate how cattle pass genetic traits to their offspring through heredity. Get the Point Students read about cattle drives and measure the width of the horns on drawings of longhorn cattle, then convert the measurements from inches to centimeters and from inches to feet. Good Breeding Students learn about common Oklahoma cattle breeds. Goodness, Grady! Students read the true story of Grady, the famous silo cow from Yukon, Oklahoma, and present a play based on the story. Great Expectations The student will read charts for relevant information to solve mathematical word problems. Hit the Trail Student draw three cattle trails that passed through Indian Territory, using a written description of the trails. Extreme History: Wild West Cattle Drive (History Channel video, with Roger Daltrey) Hot Off the Grill Students measure temperatures of hamburger patties both before and after cooking. How the Brahman Bull Got Its Hump The student compose a fictional story explaining how the Brahman bull got its hump. The Humble Beginnings of the Hamburger Student hear some claims regarding the hamburger’s origins and then compose an original tall tale on the subject. Made From Animals Matching farm animals with the products they produce. Oklahoma Groundbreakers Short bios of some groundbreakers in the history of Oklahoma agriculture, with activites. Plotting the Plight of the Cattle Students graph cases of a livestock disease in several countries. Stick Horse Rodeo Students will learn about the rodeo and hold their own rodeos with age-appropriate activities like "Pig Herding" ( herding balloons or balls), barrel racing with a stick horse, "Wild Cow Milking," "Scatter Square Dancing," etc. Street Cows Students will learn that cows come in many different shapes and sizes and will design their own art cows after reading a story about a popular travelling art exhibit. Taming the Wild Aurochs Students read about the development of animal husbandry, outline the information and arrange steps in sequence. They Don't Just Eat Grass Students compare and contrast different energy values of feeds by graphing the net energy for maintenance and percentage of fat for a variety of feed types. What's Your Brand? Student learn the history and purpose of branding cattle. top Bees and Honey Facts about Bees and Honey Bee Dance Students construct bee puppets and use them to act out some bee behaviors. Bee Smart. Bee Happy Students learn basic information about bees and the importance of pollination in crop production. Includes a take home Parent Page with information about the Africanized honey bee (sometimes erroneously called "killer bees.") The Disappearing Honeybees: Tracking Honeybee Decline Students use graphing and other math skills to track the number of honeybee colonies present in the US since 1978. If Not for the Pollinators: Matching Flowers with Pollinators Students match flowers to pollinators and construct models of flowers to demonstrate why different kinds of flowers need different kinds of pollinators. Bison At Home on the Range How ranchers on the western frontier helped saved the bison from extinction. Plows on the Hunting Grounds: The Indian Allotment Act of 1887 Students read about the Indian Allotment Act of 1887 and discuss its impact on Oklahoma's Native American tribes and agriculture. top Chicken and Eggs Chicken and Egg Facts Common Words and Phrases With Poultry Origins Poems and Songs About Farm Animals Poultry Breeds Clucking Chickens Students construct a chicken that makes chicken sounds from a plastic cup and string. Egg Toss Student practice counting by playing a game with an egg carton and ping pong balls. How Germs Spread Students learn about techniques used by poultry producers to prevent the spread of disease and conduct a test to help them visualize the spread of germs. A Lucky Break The student will identify and decipher some common phrases in the English language that are related to poultry. Made From Animals Matching farm animals with the products they produce. The Shape of Things The student will perform an experiment, using eggs, to test the strength of the dome shape. top Dairy Candy, the Cow, and the Mystery Machine (MS Word) (PowerPoint) Dairy Facts Dairy Cattle Breeds Butter, Ice Cream in a Bag and Other Dairy Recipes Giant Pizza Pattern Southwest Dairy - Schedule a visit from the mobile dairy. The Cow Thank you, pretty cow that made Pleasant milk to soak my bread. Every day and every night, Warm and fresh and sweet and white. Do not chew the hemlock rank, Growing on the weedy bank; But the yellow cowslips eat. They will make your milk so sweet. Where the purple violet grows, Where the bubbling water flows, Where the grass is fresh and fine, Pretty cow, go there and dine. More Poems and Songs About Farm Animals Beautiful Bovine Volunteer is dressed as a cow to demonstrate purposes of the different body parts of a cow and to show how a cow is different from a human. Beef or Dairy? Students learn to distinguish between beef and dairy cows. Chew It Twice The student will trace the path a cow’s food follows through its body. Chewed Paper and Sticky Stuff Students make adhesives from some common food substances and use flour paste to make pinatas and other crafts from papier mache. Come Into My Parlor Students interpret a map scale to measure the space in a milking parlor. The Farmer And The Cowman Students make booklets showing the difference between a ranch and a farm. Genetics: A List of Traits (was "Hairy Heredity") Students flip coins and sort beans to demonstrate how cattle pass genetic traits to their offspring through heredity. Good Breeding Students learn about common Oklahoma cattle breeds. Great Expectations The student will read charts for relevant information to solve mathematical word problems. Have You The Time Of Day? Students read a story about a day in the life of a farmer and gain practice reading and writing time. Say Cheese Students make cheese. The Story of Milk Student learn where milk comes from and place the steps in sequence. Street Cows Students will learn that cows come in many different shapes and sizes and will design their own art cows after reading a story about a popular travelling art exhibit. Taming the Wild Aurochs Students read about the development of animal husbandry, outline the information and arrange steps in sequence. They Don't Just Eat Grass Students compare and contrast different energy values of feeds by graphing the net energy for maintenance and percentage of fat for a variety of feed types. top Fish Aquaculture Facts Fish in a Bottle Students build fish ecosystems, then observe and write about changes they observe. top Goats Facts About Goats Goat Breeds Poems and Songs About Farm Animals The Fable of Franny and Her Fabulous Fainting Goat Students get practice telling time while reading about a goat with an unusual trait. Say Cheese Students make cheese. Taming the Wild Aurochs Students read about the development of animal husbandry, outline the information and arrange steps in sequence. top Horses Harper's First Rodeo (MS Word) (PowerPoint) Horse Breeds Horse Facts Poems and Songs About Farm Animals Bill Pickett, Bull Doggin' Cowboy Students will be introduced to Pill Pickett, An Oklahoma rodeo personality, who pioneered the rodeo act of bulldogging. Don't Fence Me In Students learn the history of barbed wire and its impact on the development of the west and practice identifying geometric terms using examples of some common styles of barbed wire. The Farmer And The Cowman Students make booklets showing the difference between a ranch and a farm. Get the Point Students read about cattle drives and measure the width of the horns on drawings of longhorn cattle, then convert the measurements from inches to centimeters and from inches to feet. A Handy Measure Students are introduced to the method used for measuring horses. Horse Cents Students explore the mathematics of owning a horse. A Horse of a Different Color Students explore the diversity of horse coat colors. A Hundred Bales of Hay Students practice patterns on a hundreds chart while learning about hay production, past and present. A Mixed Bag Students construct a "feed bag" representing the components included in a horse's feed and learn that, like humans, animals need a variety of foods for good nutrition. No Foot, Nor Horse Students learn the importance of the right kind of horseshoes for different horse activities. Plows on the Hunting Grounds The student will interpret geographic information to explain how society changed as the population of the United States moved west, including where Native Americans lived and how they made their living. Stick Horse Rodeo Students learn about the rodeo and hold their own rodeos with age-appropriate activities like "Pig Herding" ( herding balloons or balls), barrel racing with a stick horse, "Wild Cow Milking," "Scatter Square Dancing," etc. top Pork Common Words and Phrases With Swine Origins Meat Recipes Poems and Songs About Farm Animals Pork Facts Swine Breeds The Story of Piper, the Pig (MS Word) (Power Point) Hogs on a Diet Students identify an assortment of feed grains and learn the importance of eating a variety of foods, both for themselves and for farm animals. Made From Animals Matching farm animals with the products they produce. Taming the Wild Aurochs Students read about the development of animal husbandry, outline the information and arrange steps in sequence. This Little Pig Student hear basic information about swine and write and identify vocabulary words relating to the subject. Truth or Hogwash? Students will work in teams to play a game in which they answer true/false questions about swine and then research and develop questions of their own. top Sheep Common Words and Phrases With Sheep Origins Lillie, the Lamb, and the Scary Secret (MS Word) (PowerPoint) Poems and Songs About Farm Animals Sheep Breeds Sheep and Wool Facts Clothesline Sleuth Students trace the origins of various clothing items to their agricultural sources. Fleece as White as Snow The students will become familiar with vocabulary words pertaining to the production of sheep. Great Balls of Fire Students investigate the flammability of natural and synthetic fabrics while practicing safe procedures. Made From Animals Matching farm animals with the products they produce. Wet and Wooly Students become familiar with wool and some characteristics of wool. top Turkey Poems and Songs About Farm Animals Turkey Facts Turkey Breeds The Turkey This old road is hard and bumpy Our new turkey’s wild and jumpy. Careful, driver, not so jerky Or you’ll make us spill our turkey. More Poems and Songs   Make Mine Turkey Students compare foods available for the Pilgrim's Thanksgiving with contemporary Thanksgiving meals. Students create a menu and compute the cost of a turkey dinner, using grocery ads. top   PLANT AGRICULTURE Crops / Alfalfa / Corn / Cotton / Flowers, Fruits and Vegetables / Forestry / Hay / Peanuts / Pecans / Potatoes / Pumpkins / Turfgrass / Watermelon / Wheat Crops Ag in the Classroom Oklahoma Crops Jeopardy Grain Recipes Ag in My Community Includes a chart showing agricultural production by county. Biomass: The Energy of the Future Students will use research skills to gather information on renewable fuels. Students will compile information on a graph and compare and contrast the pros and cons for developing the fuels for use. Circles in the Landscape: Irrigating Oklahoma Crops Students examine transpiration, evapotranspiration and water balance, learn the reaons for irrigation, analyze Oklahoma weather information and use geometry and other math skills to design an irrigation system. Fit With Fiber: Graphing Cereal Students gather and graph information about favorite breakfast cereals. The Grain Game Students use pieces of cereal made from grains grown in Oklahoma to play a counting game. The History of Ethanol in America Students will explore the production of biofuels from the 1850s to the present. If Not for the Pollinators: Matching Flowers with Pollinators Students match flowers to pollinators and construct models of flowers to demonstrate why different kinds of flowers need different kinds of pollinators. Next Year's Seeds The student will play a game demonstrating variables that affect the food supply. Oklahoma Groundbreakers Short bios of some groundbreakers in the history of Oklahoma agriculture, with activites. Oklahoma Grown The student will learn which Oklahoma crops grow inwhich counties. Snack Sack Students experience the concepts of ratio and probability, using agricultural products that can be considered snack foods. Students analyze and record information from the class experience. Weeds on the Windowsill An examination of the need for pesticides. Students compare the results when they grow plants in two kinds of garden soil, one of which has been treated (by boiling water) to kill weed seeds and one which has not. What's Organic? Student will examine the different meanings of the word "organic." Will Your Car Run on Grass? How Biomass Becomes Alcohol Students conduct experiments with yeast to determine what substances promote fermentation. (6th-8th grade science) top Alfalfa A Hundred Bales of Hay Students practice patterns on a hundreds chart while learning about hay production, past and present. top Corn Corn Facts Cornbread in a Bag Corn Husk Dragonflies Corn Cob Toys Students will make toys from corn cobs and learn of the many uses for corn, both historically and today. Corn Field Math Students use number sense, measurement and data analysis to construct drawings and compute multi-step problems with whole numbers, fractions and percentages. Corn in Ancient America Students will develop an understanding of the importance of corn to the survival of early civilizations of the Americas. Corn in Legend and Myth Students compare the myths and legends about corn and use their creative abilities to act them out. The Grain Game Students use pieces of cereal made from grains grown in Oklahoma to play a counting game. Hogs On A Diet Students identify an assortment of feed grains and learn the importance of eating a variety of foods, both for themselves and for farm animals. A Mixed Bag Students construct a "feed bag" representing the components included in a horse's feed and learn that, like humans, animals need a variety of foods for good nutrition. Pop Around the World Students will learn about the origin of popcorn and locate countries where it is grown on a world map. top Cotton Prairie Doll Cotton Facts The History of Cotton in Oklahoma Be a Bug Scout Students count insects or specified weeds in a given area to experience how farmers decide whether or not to use pesticides. Clothesline Sleuth Students trace the origins of various clothing items to their agricultural sources. Cotton Pickin': Before and After the Civil War Students examine the importance of cotton to the economy of the South before and after the Civil War. From Bolls to Bolts Students read statements about cotton manufacturing and place them in chronological order. Great Balls of Fire Students investigate the flammability of natural and synthetic fabrics while practicing safe procedures. Just Lookin' for a Home Students will learn a song about the boll weevil and use it to understand the impact agriculture has on a community and its economy. Piece by Piece The student will use geometric shapes made from construction paper to create an original quilt block, then write a brief history of the creation. top Flowers, Fruits and Vegetables Curtis' Botanical Magazine (old botanical prints from the National Agriculture Library) USDA Botanical Prints of Fruit Edible Gardens A Field of Stars (apple story) Fruit and Veggie Facts Fruit Recipes Oklahoma Stone Soup Vegetable Recipes Watermelon Facts The Art of Growing Things The student will learn the history of seed packets then research a garden plant and create their own seed packets. USDA Hardiness Zones Map Be a Food Explorer Students will try a variety of unfamiliar fruits and vegetables, research their origins and develop recipes. A Bean is a Seed Students will learn about germination by sprouting beans and caring for them in small necklaces which they keep around their necks. By the Pound The student will estimate the weight and cost of produce and calculate the actual price. Case of the Missing Pumpkin Students observe decomposition of a pumpkin. Corn Cob Toys Students will make toys from corn cobs and learn of the many uses for corn, both historically and today. Eat Your Flowers Students grow flowers in different soil types to determine the effect on flavor. Fantastic Flower Students learn the anatomy of a flower and play a game in which they act out the pollination process. Fields of Beans All about legumes. Fresh From the Farm Student learn about farmer’s markets and complete a survey to learn what kinds of produce is grown by local farmers and gardeners. Fruit or Vegetable? Students explore the difference between fruits and vegetables from different perspectives and develop their own definitions. Garden Grid Students create a grid and plan a garden, allowing sufficient space for each plant to grow. Germination Observations The students germinate seeds under a variety of conditions. A Growing Market The student will research and grow a plant and present findings orally. A Hidden Beauty Students construct a model of a plant that grows from a bulb. How Far Did It Travel? Exploring the Geography of Food Students compare the distances food travels from farm to table. How to Pick the Best Students learn what to look for when selecting fresh fruits and vegetables. If Not for the Pollinators: Matching Flowers with Pollinators Students match flowers to pollinators and construct models of flowers to demonstrate why different kinds of flowers need different kinds of pollinators. In Strawberry Fields Students learn about strawberry production and compute wages of strawberry workers. Magnificent Melons All about Oklahoma melons, with activities. Melon Meiosis Students will learn how seedless watermelon were developed and model the process of mitosis and meiosis in watermelons, using jelly beans. Oklahoma's Berry Best All about strawberries, blackberries, rasperries and blueberries. Oklahoma's Roots and Leafy Greens All about root vegetables and leafy greens. Oklahoma Grown The student will learn which Oklahoma crops grow in which counties. Plant Parts We Eat Students will be introduced to an assortment of vegetables and will learn to locate the parts humans use for food. Powerful Potato The student will observe the growth process of a potato. A Priceless Collection The student will read a story about the life of Russian plant breeder Nikolai I. Vavilov and the national seed bank he established. Pumpkins by the Pound Students use pumpkins of various sizes to experiment with weight and perimeter. Pumpkins, Squash and Other Cucurbits All about cucurbits. A Purple Cow Students learn to identify colors in nature and to observe objects under varying light conditions. Seed Swapping Students will practice and review place values, using seeds as manipulatives. The Sunflower Story Students will learn what plants need to grow by listening and responding to the story of a sunflower. Sunny Sunflowers Students create models of sunflowers and play a game to demonstrate how plants grow in relation to light. These Roots Run Deep All about roots and leafy greens. To-may-to, To-mah-to; Po-tay-to, Po-tah-to All about vegetables in the nightshade family. What's Organic? Students will examine the different meanings of the word "organic." Working Watermelon Student perform estimates, measurements and calculations on a watermelon. top Forestry Forestry Facts Chewed Paper and Sticky Stuff Students make adhesives from some common food substances and use flour paste to make pinatas and other crafts from papier mache. Making Paper Students make paper from recycled paper. Mighty Oaks From Little Acorns Students make the connection between seeds and trees by gathering and planting acorns. Paper or Plastic? Exploring Rewewable Resources Students discuss, develop, invent and implement a plan for making informed personal economic decisions about renewable resources. The Role of Fire in Healthy Prairie, Brush and Forest Land The importance of fire to maintaining the health of prairie, brush and forest lands. top Hay Hay Facts A Hundred Bales of Hay Students practice patterns on a hundreds chart while learning about hay production, past and present. top Peanuts Peanut Facts Peanut Butter Recipes Baby Peanut Plants Students examine raw peanuts to find the “baby peanuts” inside and then sprout them on paper towels. Math for Peanuts Students estimate the number of peanuts in a peanut shell and graph the results. The Peanut Wizard The student will read information about George Washington Carver and outline the information. Rooftop Sandwich Students create books showing the main ingredients of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Peanut Butter and Jelly (poem) top Pecans Pecan Facts Pecan Fingerprints Students learn about themselves as individuals and understand that things in nature also have traits that distinguish them from all others.   A Tough Nut to Crack Students evaluate the quality of pecans based on a set of criteria. top Potatoes Potato Soup Potato Facts Powerful Potato The student will observe the growth process of a potato. A Priceless Collection The student will read a story about the life of Russian plant breeder Nikolai I. Vavilov and the national seed bank he established. To-may-to, To-mah-to; Po-tay-to, Po-tah-to All about the vegetables in the nightshade family. top Pumpkins For pottage and puddings and custards and pies, Our pumpkins and parsnips are common supplies, We have pumpkins at morning and pumpkins at noon, If it were not for pumpkins we should be undoon. —Pilgrim verse, circa 1630 Pumpkin Ham Soup Pumpkin Pie in a Bag Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Pumpkin Facts Case of the Missing Pumpkin Student observe decomposition of a pumpkin. Pumpkins by the Pound Students use pumpkins of various sizes to experiment with weight and perimeter. Pumpkins, Squash and Other Cucurbits All about cucurbits. top Turfgrass Ag in the Playing Fields The many ways agriculture is important in sports, including maintenance of the playing field. Dirt Babies Students will observe grass sprouting and growing like hair on heads they create from knee-high nylon stockings and potting medium. Oklahoma Groundbreakers Read about Oklahoma's own Bermuda John Fields. top Watermelon Watermelon Facts Watermelon Pops (recipe) Melon Meiosis Students will learn how seedless watermelon were developed and model the process of mitosis and meiosis in watermelons, using jelly beans. Working Watermelon Student perform estimates, measurements and calculations on a watermelon. top Wheat Wheat Facts Wheat Berry Sprouts Wheat Cards: Quick ideas for teaching about wheat Bread and Grain Recipes Bread and Cereals Breads and cereals start from seeds Of grasses farmers grow; They're all ground up and mixed with eggs And other flavors for dough. The crust of pies and dinner rolls, And noodles of chicken soup, Doughnuts, spaghetti, and Cream of Wheat Are in the bread and cereals group More Poems and Songs Bread in a Bag Students learn about the origins of bread and make bread in a bag. Chewed Paper and Sticky Stuff Students make adhesives from some common food substances and use flour paste to make pinatas and other crafts from papier mache. The Grain Game Students use pieces of cereal made from grains grown in Oklahoma to play a counting game. Hoboes on Harvest Students read about the role Oklahoma’s wheat fields played in the history of labor movements in the US. Little Red Hen Students “The Little Red Hen,” discuss careers involved in providing our food and act out a play based on the story. Oklahoma Groundbreakers Read about Oklahoma's own Joseph Danne, the inventor of the first wheat developed in and for Oklahoma. Oklahoma Wheat on the World Market Students compute profit and loss in a wheat trading market a graph market activity. (6th - 8th grade math, social studies and language arts) Snack Sack Students experience the concepts of ratio and probability, using agricultural products that can be considered snack foods. Students analyze and record information from the class experience. Snowball Fight Students will learn how snow helps crops grow and play a game using facts and words about snow. Tortillas in a Bag Students follow instructions to make tortillas in a bag and learn about breads around the world. Wheat: From Field to Oven Student read some paragraphs about wheat production and identify the main idea and supporting statements for each one. The Wheat Plant The student will sequence stages in the life of a wheat plant and identify the six main parts of the wheat plant. top Back to Lesson Indices Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom / Oklahoma 4-H Programs / 205 4-H Youth Development / Oklahoma State University / Stillwater, OK 74078 / 405-744-8885 Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom is a program of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and the Oklahoma State Department of Education.