Researching Farm Solutions

Lesson Overview

This 60-minute lesson is designed for two Year 1 students as part of the NSW curriculum unit "Past, Present and Future". Students will research different solutions to farm problems using books and technology, developing their inquiry skills and understanding of farm environments and problem-solving.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify and describe simple problems found on farms.
• Use books and technology to research solutions to these farm problems.
• Develop and record questions about farm problems.
• Communicate their findings clearly using drawings, words, or simple digital tools.

These objectives align with the NSW Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) Year 1 achievement standards, which include posing questions, collecting and recording information from provided sources, interpreting information, and drawing conclusions or making proposals related to people and places in the past and present.

Curriculum Links

• Content Strand: The Past and Present (Year 1 HASS)
• Skill Strand: Inquiry and Skills – Developing questions, gathering primary and secondary information, using sources including digital technologies, and communicating findings.
• Key focus: Understanding continuity and change in environments and ways people solve daily life issues, including farm-related problems.

Resources

• A selection of age-appropriate books about farms and farming problems.
• Tablet or laptop with internet access (pre-set to safe search or approved educational websites about farms).
• Worksheet for recording questions, findings, and ideas (with images and sentence starters).
• Drawing tools (coloured pencils/crayons).
• Whiteboard or chart paper for teacher notes.

Lesson Structure

Introduction (10 minutes)

• Begin with a brief review of what a farm is and some common problems farms may face (e.g., thirsty plants, pests, animals needing care).
• Introduce the lesson focus: "Today, we will find out how farmers solve problems on their farms by using books and computer searches to learn about the solutions."
• Prompt students to think about what questions they might ask if their farm had a problem.

Learning Activity 1: Question Development (10 minutes)

• Together with the students, brainstorm simple questions about farm problems (e.g., How do farmers water dry plants? What do they do about pests?).
• Record these questions on the worksheet or chart paper.
• Discuss how questions help us find answers and learn new things.

Learning Activity 2: Research with Books and Technology (25 minutes)

• Provide each student with access to one or two books about farms and their problems.
• Demonstrate how to use a tablet safely to look for pictures or short texts about farm solutions on pre-selected educational sites.
• Students work individually or collaboratively to find answers to their questions.
• Support students to take notes or draw simple images to record what they learn on their worksheets.

Learning Activity 3: Sharing and Reflecting (10 minutes)

• Invite each student to share one farm problem and the solution they discovered.
• Discuss how farmers use many tools and ideas to keep their farms healthy and productive.
• Emphasise that learning how people solve problems helps us understand the past and how things change over time.

Conclusion and Assessment (5 minutes)

• Collect worksheets to assess:
• Whether students asked relevant questions.
• Their ability to find and record information from multiple sources.
• Their understanding of basic farm problems and solutions.
• Provide positive feedback focusing on their research skills and effort.

Differentiation

• For students needing support, simplify questions and offer sentence starters for recording information.
• Encourage more able students to ask additional questions or use technology to find extra facts.

Teacher Reflection

• Observe how students use technology and books to research.
• Note their engagement and ability to connect information to the concept of past and present changes on farms.
• Consider ways to expand on this lesson with hands-on activities in later lessons.

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This lesson utilises inquiry-based learning appropriate for young learners, relating to the Year 1 HASS outcomes including questioning, gathering information, and describing changes and solutions in local environments. It integrates technology safely and meaningfully in line with school guidelines. The lesson’s focus on farms and problem-solving connects past and present understanding to encourage curiosity and foundational research skills in Social Sciences.