The farming business: today and tomorrow
Objectives for this lesson
* To understand the economic importance of wheat to the community and the direct and indirect employment opportunities associated with it
* To present information on an assigned topic related to the farming business
* (To consider the role of the government in the farming industry)
* To develop presentation skills (written, oral and mathematical)
* To practise extracting information from data
* To develop individual and group working skills.
Lessons
Single lesson, 50 minutes to 1 hour.
Homework or extension ideas - add link here
Starter activity
Students brainstorm and create a spider diagram of the following.
- Wheat: what is it?
- Wheat: what is it used for?
- Wheat: how would the UK be different without it?
They should use the data from AS 'Wheat in the UK' to determine where wheat is grown in the UK. Then carry out a brainstorm (as a class or in groups) to answer: Who makes a living from the wheat grown in the UK?
Draw a concept map showing the interrelationships of all those who earn their living from wheat-related activity (e.g. farmers, millers, bakers, retailers, wholesalers, traders, transporters etc.).
Main activity
Use IP 'The wheat business' and IP 'Wheat farming and sustainable development' with students. Organise the class into six groups, with each group studying and preparing an exhibition display on one of the following subjects.
- Group 1: What are barley, oats, maize and rice used for? (Illustrated exhibit, which will require internet or library research)
- Group 2: Wheat – farming issues (Concept map)
- Group 3: Farming and the economy (Use with a more able group; web page or newspaper layout of main issues)
- Group 4: Using the land (Present results graphically as block chart or pie chart)
- Group 5: Sustainable development (Illustrated spider diagram of issues)
- Group 6: Looking after the environment (Could include research into IFM (integrated farm management) and/or organic farming; illustrated exhibit which will require internet or library research)
Plenary
The class looks at the class exhibition. Each group is questioned by the class to clarify issues.
If time allows, hold a class discussion: Britain’s farming industry is in decline. Does this matter? Should the government intervene and, if so, what should they do?
Important notes
The small group research and exhibition preparation exercise may require teachers to consider the skills and learning style preferences of members of the class. The exhibition could provide a useful resource for display in the school.
Resources |
|
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The wheat business |
| How does farming contribute to the economy? | |
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Wheat farming and sustainable development |
| How do you balance what you do today with what you need tomorrow? | |
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