Books provide useful information and offer an inside look into farm life. For preschool to third graders, read “Winter on the Farm” or, for older school-aged kids, any of the “Little House” books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Young kids will enjoy “Apple Farmer Annie” by Monica Wellington, “Life on a Goat Farm” by Judy Wolfman, “Maple Syrup Season” by Ann Purmell or “Farm Alphabet Book” by Jane Miller.
For a hands-on approach to this farm theme, incorporate some arts and crafts into your lesson plan. An empty shoebox can be transformed into a farmhouse with craft sticks, craft glue and some nontoxic acrylic paint. Ask the kids to create a drawing of a farm and what animals, crops and machinery they would have if they were a farmer.
Worksheets can test the kids’ farm knowledge while providing an entertaining activity. Have them pair up farm animals with animal houses, like chicken and a chicken coup, a dog and a doghouse or a horse with a horse stall. Offer the kids a basic drawing of a farmer or child and ask the kids to draw clothes on the person for certain chores, like mud boots for feeding pigs or a big hat for working in the field. Color-by-number farmhouse drawings work well for younger kids.
To offer a firsthand experience with farmhouses, farm life and animals, schedule a trip to a local farm. This trip can be taken any time of year, but autumn is harvest time and you may be lucky to find a farm with a pumpkin patch, hayride or another fun activity for the kids to participate in after they check out the farmhouse. Make sure you go over farm safety and respect for animals with the kids before venturing out.