Curriculum
Curriculum
Ages 8-11, Lesson 2: Farming in Harmony with Nature
View this lesson plan:
In this lesson, students explore the impact of agriculture on the environment through a comparison of traditional and industrial farming practices. They will learn how shade-loving crops, like cocoa, can be grown in ways that support healthy forests. Students will also discover how Indigenous communities use the solar calendar to guide farming in harmony with nature.
Through videos and cross-curricular activities, students develop an understanding of sustainable farming and the importance of protecting tropical forests.
Educational materials
- Videos:
- Worksheet: Farm it right! (A farming methods game)
- Quiz: Short-answer questions on the benefits of shade farming and plant cycles
- Math tie-in: Create a planting calendar
- Art tie-in: Design a rainforest-friendly product label
- Classroom discussion questions:
- Why do some farmers grow crops in the shade instead of cutting trees down?
- How does the sun help farmers decide when to plant?
