This lesson plan has fun facts, a craft, and various activities to help your child understand about farm animals and the things that make them important to farmers. Feel free to print this lesson for easy use.
Ducks
Ducks are birds also called "waterfowls." Ducks love being in the water. They have webbed feet that allow them to swim quickly when they want to. Ducks waddle because of their webbed feet.
Ducks have waterproof feathers, so they do not feel wet all the time. They like to stay clean. They use their beaks to keep themselves clean. This is called "preening."
Female ducks are brown in color and look dull, while the males are bright and colorful. This is because male ducks want to impress a female duck with his beautiful coat. Mother ducks take good care of their ducklings. Ducklings are so cute.
See the coloring page below for some fun with ducks.
Cows
Cows are big farm animals that weigh a lot. They eat grass and drink water just about all day long. A cow can eat about 100 pounds of grass a day.
Cows are used to make milk for us to drink. Some farmers use their hands to get milk from a cow. Some farms have machines that can get the cow milk. After the milk is cleaned (pasturized), it is sent to grocery stores for us to buy.
A baby cow is called a calf. A calf can stand just within minutes of being born. Could you do that when you were a baby?
See the cow craft below for more fun!
Chickens
Chickens are a type of bird called “fowl.” They mostly live on farms. Chickens eat seeds. They like a lot of water. Chickens also like to be warm instead of cold. The male chicken is called a rooster.
Have you had scrambled eggs lately? Chickens lay eggs that we go to the grocery store and buy. Eggs are so yummy and they are very good for you, too!
A baby chicken is called a chick. They are so cute and they come out of an egg. Some eggs are babies and some eggs are for us to eat.
Help the baby chick below find his way to the coop where he lives.
Horses
Horses are large hoofed mammals that have many useful functions for people. They live on farms to help the farmer pull heavy tractors and other machines. Lots of people like to ride horses for fun and in big horse shows where they can win prizes! The word for horse actually means “quick” because horses can run very fast. Horses have been around for a very long time.
Horses are very strong. They live to be 20-25 years old. There over 350 different kinds of horses in the world today! Horses can tell you how they feel (happy, sad, etc.) by their facial expressions. Flared nostrils mean it might be very mad!
A baby horse is called a foal. Horses and foals eat hay. They also like sugar cubes.
See the mommy and baby horse coloring page below. They are having fun.
Field Trip Opportunity
Can you find a farm in your community that would let you come visit to see all of the animals on a farm? This would be a great experience, and young children love to see them.
Lunch Bag Cow Craft
Materials:
- White paper lunch bag
- White copy paper
- Tape
- Glue
- Black crayons
Directions:
- Print out the cow head template and cow legs template below. Cut them out.
- Glue the cow's head on the flap of the paper bag. Glue the legs in between the creases down the side of the bag.
- Decorate the bag with black spots just like a cow has.
To print the pictures below, click on the picture you want, and then just right click and select print from your options.
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