EDU251 Thematic Unit Plan Grade Level: 3

Thematic Unit: On the Farm

Kaylin Kingston

Department of Education, Geneva College

EDUCATION 251

Dr. Michal Wargo

5th December 2023

EDU251 Thematic Unit Plan Grade Level: 3

1) Broad Unit Understandings/Goals:

 ELA- Students will understand how to write a letter and will continue to work on proper grammar.

 Math- Students will understand how to both us and make change with money, by using coins and bills and be able to

figure out area while also incorporating addition and subtraction.

 Science- Students will understand how a plant grows, the different layers of soil and the water cycle.

2) Unit Questions:

 ELA:

o What makes an argument persuasive?

o What makes clear and effective writing?

 Math:

o How are spatial relationships, including shape and dimension, used to draw, construct, model, and represent

real situations or solve problems?

o What is this problem about, and can you tell me more about it?

 Science:

o How do organisms grow and develop?

o Why is it important to collect data about the performance of a proposed tool, object, process, or system under

a range of conditions?

3) State/Common Core Standards (obtained from PDESAS):

Math, ELA, and Social Studies OR Science

 ELA:

o CC.1.5.3. D Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and

relevant, descriptive details; speak clearly with adequate volume, appropriate pacing, and clear pronunciation.

o CC.1.4.3. R Demonstrate a grade appropriate command of the conventions of standard English grammar,

usage, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.

o CC.1.3.3. A Determine the central message, lesson, or moral in literary text; explain how it is conveyed in

text.

o CC.1.3.3.C Describe characters in a story and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.

 Math:
EDU251 Thematic Unit Plan Grade Level: 3

o C.2.4.3.A.3 Solve problems and make changes involving money using a combination of coins and bills.

o C.2.4.3.A.5 Determine the area of a rectangle and apply the concept to multiplication and to addition.

 Science:

o 3.1.3.A3. Identify differences in the life cycles of plants and animals.

o 3.3.3.A1. Explain and give examples of the ways in which soil is formed.

o 3.3.3.A4. Connect the various forms of precipitation to the weather in a particular place and time.

o 4.4.3.B Explain how agriculture meets the basic needs of humans.

4) Learning Objectives:

 **You must also write at least three learning objectives (these should be in the same format as if they were in the

lesson plan you developed).

Math, ELA, and Social Studies OR Science

o ELA-

 Students will be able to write and format a letter properly.

 Students will be able to write a persuasive paragraph.

o Math

 Students will be able to create and count change.

 Students will be able draw and calculate the area of their “Farm” using two di.

o Science

 Students will be able to label the layers of soil on the edible soil cup using a color code system

using book tabs and an index card. (Red book tab indicates topsoil, blue sticky tab indicates sub

soil etc.

 Students will label the parts of the water cycle and what occurs during each step. Students will label

and draw on a gallon sized bag the steps of the water cycle. Each student will explain in a small

paper book (Zine) to write the steps of the water cycle & explain what the step does (both on the

right side of the page, and on the left side of the page they will draw a picture to illustrate the step

 Students will fill out the scientific method steps (observe, hypothesis, evaluate after experiment is

over create a conclusion) throughout the experiment of observing how plants grow in different

environments, amounts of water, sunlight etc.

5) Description of Unit:
EDU251 Thematic Unit Plan Grade Level: 3

 Using the Common Core Standards as a springboard, write a narrative explaining how the standards will correlate to

the unit of study/thematic topic and why the topic is important.

o The theme this thematic unit will be following is “On the Farm”. Throughout this theme, we will examine

and learn about things on and part of a farm and how it runs.

o In this unit will dive into several books including Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type by Doreen Cronin, and

Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White. After reading Click Clack Moo: Cows that Type students will be able to

write their own letter to the farmer and practice persuasive writing by creating ads for a newspaper (CC.1.4.3.

R). In Charlotte’s Web we will look at characters and plot as well as how actions result in future events

(CC.1.3.3. A & 3.3.3.A4.).

o In mathematics, the students will practice, and learn how to make change with larger bills and coins

(C.2.4.3.A.3) by “buying” and “selling” produce to one another as a class farmers market. Also, students will

be able to practice solving for area with multiplication (C.2.4.3.A.5) by creating their own farm. Students will

roll 2 di and then need to multiply or add them to create areas for their farm animals. This will be done on

graph paper.

o Finally for the science section we will look at parts of plants as well as soil and water. -+At the beginning of

the unit, we will talk about the scientific unit and the steps that created it. From there we will plant a seed,

and have multiple groups, a control plant, a plant in the dark, a plant in the sun, etc. Next, we will look at 2

aspects of plants, soil, and water. While talking about soil we will look at the layers of soil and what forms

soil (3.3.3.A1.). Then talk about the water cycle and how precipitation is formed (3.3.3.A4.)

6) Introduction (5 paragraphs)

 Write an introduction page that explains why the topic is an important one for the grade level and how play-based,

experience-based, and project-based activities will support the learning of the topic.

 Paper Plate Farm Animals

 Visual art ideas related to the topic—things the children can make.

 9.1.3.H Handle materials, equipment and tools safely at work and performance spaces.
o For the Paper Plate Farm Animal activity students will create there very own paper plate farm animal.

Throughout the unit we will be discussing farm animals, especially what part they play on a farm. Though

this can be adjusted for many grade levels, I will be introducing it for a third-grade class. The goal of the

project is to paint plates associated with their farm animal of choice, there will be other resources available

such as paper, scissors, and glue to add personal touches as well as ears, beaks, feet, and other animal body
EDU251 Thematic Unit Plan Grade Level: 3

parts. I will have several examples available but will encourage them to use their imagination and be creative.

At the End each student will name their farm animal and fill out a “adoption” paper and if time introduce it to

the group/class,

 Corn Cultivator

 Way to integrate Science.

 4.4.3.B Explain how agriculture meets the basic needs of humans.

 4.4.3.D Identify technology used in agriculture. • Identify tools and machinery used in

agriculture

 Critical Corn Cultivator: A Thanksgiving STEM Activity - Feel Good Teaching

o In addition to animals, we will also talk about plants and how they grow, more specifically we can look at

how seeds are planted and grow on a farm, we will look at pieces of machinery such as cultivators to see how

it makes farmers’ lives easier. This activity will act as a STEAM activity specifically in the subject of

Science. After talking about how plants grow (plant water etc.), they would each get to plant their own plant,

like a flower. Another time, maybe the next day, I would refer to planting our flowers and the amount of time

it took to plant just one seed, then pose the question how long you think it would take farmers if they had to

plant 1 seed at a time. After discussion, I would shift the conversation to cultivators and farm equipment

which allows for each step to be completed much faster (use pictures and videos). From there I would break

the class into groups of 2-4, provide materials and give them 15-20 minutes (with check-ins) to come up with

their own cultivator. I would like to give them the materials from the link above (and maybe other materials

too) and give them a chance to be creative. Not having instructions allows them to think for themselves and

create something that can till, plant, and water at least 4 seeds at a time. Once they have completed the

projects we will test them in front of the class, and each group will explain the process in which they decided

to create the machines.

 Field trips

 Standard - 4.4.3.D-Identify tools and machinery used in agricultural processes.

o Field trips are a great way to get real life experience and get out of the classroom. For this field trip we would

go to a farm of some kind at the end of our unit, this would be the last step prior to an end of unit project or

wrap up. Prior to going on this trip, I would have each student write out at least 1 question they have about

farms, then hand them out at the farm. At the Farm the kids would be able to see in real life some of the

machinery such as tractors, combines etc., as well as be able to ask questions of the farmers. It would also be

great if they could do a hands-on activity. I have a memory from 4th grade when we went to a potato farm and
 EDU251 Thematic Unit Plan Grade Level: 3

go to see the whole process of how the potatoes go from being in the ground to harvesting and how they get

all the dirt off, and afterward we got to go outside and dig up about 3 to 4 potatoes, which is why I think a 3rd

grade class would have a lot of fun going to a farm and get to see what we talked about throughout the unit.

Thematic Graphic Plan

Reading Writing Science

-Layers of Soil (Edible soil project)

-Click Clack Moo -DIY Edible Soil Layers | Learning
-Write a letter as to what an animal
(Doreen Cronin) would want on the farm, and draw a Resources
-Grow a plant (talk about parts of a plant and
-The Scarecrow’s Dance picture (do after reading click clack
over time see)
moo)
(Jane Yolen) - Writing ads/create a newspaper, about
-Water Cycle activity

-Charlotte’s Web (E.B. Weather Activity for Kids w/ Free

crops/animals for sale, help needed etc.
Worksheet
White) (123homeschool4me.com)

Social Studies Theme Math

-Play pit and connect it with stock -Area, have students roll 2 di, they use
the #’s to create an area for different
and trade animals on the farm
-resources, importance of farmers, On The Farm -Combination of both links
farmers vs stores (28) Pinterest & (28) Pinterest
-Connect “Cows that Type” to -buying & selling fruits and veggies
strike that occurs in history create an interactive farmers market

P.E./Movement Art Music

-create 3d paper barn Old McDonald had a farm.

-Go on a field trip to a Farm or 3D Paper Barn Craft for Kids - BINGO
Petting Zoo Look! We're Learning! Repeat after me songs (From
- Farmer says (instead of Simon (lookwerelearning.com) Pine Valley)
says) -Paper plate farm animals -Have you ever been fishing…
-Duck Duck, Goose Paper Plate Farm Animals - The -Birdie song
Keeper of the Cheerios -Froggy

Other areas to consider: Community or Pop Culture, IEP goals (gifted, IDD, SLD, etc.)
Literature, History, Technology

*History focuses on the people and human contributions that led to historical (past) events.

*Social Studies encompasses history (past events) and focuses on human society. Social
Studies also includes geography, civics, economics, and sociology.
EDU251 Thematic Unit Plan Grade Level: 3

References
3d Barn Craft: 3D Paper Barn Craft for Kids - Look! We're Learning! (lookwerelearning.com)

Di area game: (28) Pinterest & (28) Pinterest

Integrating Science: Critical Corn Cultivator: A Thanksgiving STEM Activity - Feel Good Teaching

Paper Plate Farm Animals: Paper Plate Farm Animals - The Keeper of the Cheerios

Pit: 4th grade teacher Mrs. Schmitberger

Repeat after me songs: Pine Valley Bible Camp

Soil: DIY Edible Soil Layers | Learning Resources

Standards: Search Standards - SAS (pdesas.org)

Water Cycle: 🌧 Water Cycle in a Bag Weather Activity for Kids w/ Free Worksheet (123homeschool4me.com)

Writing section on graphic organizer: I came up with ideas while looking through standards.