Wheat, oats, barley, rye, rice and millet are this month’s featured grains in our Great Grains Unboxed learning kit.
Wheat is the 2nd most-grown grain in the United States behind corn. In 2023, 781 million metric tons of wheat were produced worldwide. Ranking 5th globally, the U.S. produced 44.9 million metric tons of wheat in 2022/2023. One metric ton equals 36.74 bushels.
In our lessons and activities, we’re exploring the fascinating realms of agronomy, food science, and plant pathology, with a particular focus on the wheat industry.
Great Grains Unboxed - See Inside Our Kids Agriculture Education Learning Kit
Explore the realm of small grains with our February Kids Sonder Agriculture Unboxed learning kit. Packed with wheat, rice, oats, barley, rye and millet knowledge, information, and engaging activities, this month’s Plant Science learning kit is tailored for kids aged 9-13+. Dive in with our 24-page Great Grains Unboxed Educational Guide and Small Grains Identification Binder Cards to unravel the mysteries of small grains and the grain crop industry.
Great Grains Unboxed Educational Guide and Grain Identification Cards
Explore our 24-page grains educational guide, where your kids can discover intriguing facts about small grains, explore the wheat and rice lifecycle, and identify external plant parts. Our educational guide not only unveils the top U.S. wheat, rice, oats, barley, rye and millet producing states but also provides essential background information and instructions for three engaging plant science activities featured this month. Further enrich your child’s understanding with our Kids Sonder Agriculture Field Guide plant identification binder cards, spotlighting six grain plant types and essential small grain terminology.
"Hero for the Hungry: Life and Work of Norman Borlaug?" by Peggy Thomas
Can a quiet Iowa farm boy grow up to change the world? Norman Ernest Borlaug did. Norman Borlaug was the Father of the Green Revolution, saved millions from starvation, and won the Nobel Prize. This is a well-written book for kids ages 10-14 that chronicles Norman Borlaug’s life and his dedication to finding wheat plants that were high-producing and disease resistant for countries who needed the food boost. This book is a perfect lead into our plant pathology activity.
Plant Science Activity: Introduction to Plant Pathology
Plant diseases are caused most often by pathogens. Pathogens are infectious fungi, germs (bacteria or viruses) and nematodes that attack and damage plants. There are all kinds of possible careers working with plants. Plant pathology is one of them! Our General Plant Pathology Identification Cards introduce kids to general plant disease categories, pathogens and prevention and treatment of diseases and disorders.
Agronomy: Grain Berry Identification
Grain berries are the seeds of grain plants. Each type of grain plant has unique characteristics, and likewise, each grain kernel or berry possesses distinct traits. Kids Sonder Agriculturists use 3 of their 5 senses to observe and discover the distinctions among each small grain kernel sample provided in the kit.
Food Science: Wheat Processing & Bread in a Bag
Whole grain, wheat bran, whole grain flour, enriched flour… what do all these terms mean? Wheat, intended for human consumption, is available in various forms in food products being harvested from different parts of the wheat kernel. Kids Sonder Agriculturists learn where each comes from and the science of making their own bread in a bag! They also learn what gluten is and the only four small grains that contain the protein.
Kids Sonder Agriculture Unboxed
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Inspire and empower your kids to learn about agriculture, food and the environment with our agriculture education learning kits for kids 9-13+.
