Activity Synopsis
This activity for Grades 4-6 introduces students to the cow’s digestive system. Students learn about ruminant animals and the four-compartment stomach of the cow. Students learn about milk production and steps dairy farmers take to ensure the safety and wholesomeness of milk.
Students will be able to:
- Describe the cow’s digestive system.
- List the four compartments of a cow’s stomach and state one fact about each compartment.
- Describe how cows are milked.
- Identify three safeguards for keeping milk fresh and clean.
Cross-curricular Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Identify what cows need to eat in order to grow and produce milk. (Environment and Ecology)
- Explain the journey of milk from production to the consumer. (Environment and Ecology)
- Explain the cow’s digestive system. (Science and Technology)
- Write to discover, record and reflect on ideas. (Language Arts)
- Define, and correctly use, terms related to dairy farming. (Language Arts)
- Write a fully-developed paragraph using proper form. (Language Arts)
- Complete simple unit conversions within a system of measurement. (Mathematics)
- Compute math problems and make reasonable estimates. (Mathematics)
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