Traveling Resource Trunks

Wheatland

Grades K - 2

Ideas for using this trunk with youth groups.

Activities introduce students to plant growth, wheat cultivation, Kansas history, and the process by which grains become nutritious food. A flour mill, Wheatland Game, models of farming equipment, and photographs are incorporated in to classroom activities.

Trunk Specifications

Weight: 42 lbs.
Dimensions: 31" x 22" x 9"
Insure for $500 when shipping
Or call to request through Shawnee Mission State Historic Site, Fairway

The "Wheat in Kansas" trunk is planned to be a comprehensive unit to be used for a period of two weeks in kindergarten through second grade classes. The information is designed to introduce young children to plant growth, to wheat cultivation, to Kansas history, to the process by which grains become food for human consumption, and to the importance of nutrition from foods made from wheat. The emphasis is on objects associated with wheat production which the children can discover firsthand. As the experience of young children is very limited, related books, work sheets, games and activities to reinforce learning have also been included.

Kansas Curricular Standards Connections

Trunk Manual

Introduction, Vocabulary List

Contents of Trunk

Background on Wheat in Kansas

Lesson I - Introduction

Use objects, puppets, a non-fiction and a fiction book to follow wheat from planting to bread.

• Day 1 - Wheat from Field to Table
• Day 2 - Dramatization of The Little Red Hen

Lesson II - Growing Wheat in Kansas History

Use objects to talk about the stages of wheat growth, drill wheat in your classroom, and then plant your own wheat and watch it grow!

• Day 3 - Growing Wheat
• Day 4 - Preparing Soil and Planting Wheat

Lesson III - Harvesting Wheat in Kansas History

Use historic photographs and scale model farming equipment to discuss cutting and threshing wheat and create your own classroom exhibit.

• Day 5 - Cutting Wheat
• Day 6 - Threshing Wheat

Lesson IV - Milling and Packaging

Learn about milling and packaging flour with photographs, flour sacks and by using a mill to make flour from wheat. A Grain of Wheat book shows the parts of a kernel of wheat.

• Day 7 - Milling (Grinding) Wheat
• Day 8 -Packaging Wheat

Lesson V - Nutrition and Baking

Learn about the nutrition in wheat using bread and juice and then bake Teddy Bear Bread.

• Day 9 - Nutrition and Baking

Lesson VI - Kansas "Wheatland" Game

Review and reinforce what has been learned about wheat by playing a board game.

• Day 10 -Kansas "Wheatland" Game

Resources related to wheat in Kansas

The Kansas Historical Society developed the Wheatland traveling resource trunk with funding provided by the Nutrition Education and Training Program/School Food Service Section/Kansas State Department of Education.

Notes about using Traveling Resource Trunks:

• Traveling resource trunks are loaned out within the state of Kansas. They are available for four weeks on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no charge except for shipping. Borrowers who do not pick up their trunks are responsible for round trip shipping costs. Reservations should be made two weeks in advance.
• Please inventory trunks when you receive them and before you return them. An inventory sheet is provided in all trunks for your use. Return trunks in the same condition that you received them.
• Objects and materials in the trunks are to be used as the instructor sees fit; however, please keep in mind that many students will be using the trunk after you this year and in the years to come. Use is encouraged; overuse, damage, and mutilation are not.
• The materials included in this trunk may be reproduced for educational purposes only and must credit the Kansas Historical Society. Reproductions of these materials for any other purpose is prohibited without written permission from the Kansas Historical Society.
• To assure that trunks you use will reach their next destination in time we ask that trunks be returned by their scheduled return date. Allow at least two days shipping time. If you have any questions or concerns contact the Education and Outreach Division of the Kansas Historical Society, 6425 SW Sixth Avenue, Topeka, KS 66615-1099; 785-272-8681, ext. 251, Fax 785-272-8682; or education@kshs.org.

Looking for other programs or activities?

The Kansas Historical Society has a variety of programs available for your use including other traveling resource trunks; traveling exhibits; guided tours of state historic sites, the state Capitol, and the Kansas Museum of History; and online resources. For more information on these contact the Education and Outreach Division at 6425 SW Sixth Avenue, Topeka, KS 66615-1099; 785-272-8681, ext. 414, Fax 785-272-8682; or education@kshs.org.

Request This Trunk through the Kansas Historical Society

Or Call to Request through Shawnee Indian Mission State Historic Site

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