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Planning Your Farm Experience

Tick off some or all of the following NSW Curriculum outcomes!

Science & Technology 


Key Outcomes:
  • STe-3LW-ST: Explores the characteristics, needs and uses of living things.
  • ST1-4LW-S: Describes observable features of living things and their environments.
  • ST2-4LW-S: Compares features and life cycles of living things.
  • ST3-4LW-S: Examines how environments affect living things and how they can be conserved.
Possible Learning Experiences:
  • Investigating composting, crop cycles, pollination, or bees.
  • Observing how seasonal changes affect plant growth.
  • Exploring sustainable practices like reusing water or repurposing surplus produce.
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Geography


Key Outcomes:
  • GEe-1: Identifies places and develops an understanding of the importance of places to people.
  • GE1-1: Describes features of places and the connections people have with places.
  • GE2-1: Examines features and characteristics of places and environments.
  • GE3-2: Explains interactions and management of natural resources.
Possible Learning Experiences:
  • Learning about food miles and local food systems.
  • Understanding how human decisions affect environments (e.g. organic farming vs conventional).
  • Looking at land use and the layout of the farm (e.g. crop areas, water catchments, habitat zones).
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PDHPE


Key Outcomes:
  • PDe-7: Identifies actions that help them to be healthy, safe and physically active.
  • PD1-6: Describes physical changes as they grow and develop.
  • PD2-7: Describes strategies to make healthy lifestyle choices.
  • PD3-7: Proposes strategies to promote health, safety, and wellbeing.
Possible Learning Experiences:
  • Discovering how growing and eating fresh food supports healthy bodies.
  • Physical activity through walking tours, garden exploration, and hands-on tasks.
  • Learning about food preparation and hygiene in value-adding kitchens.
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English

Key Outcomes:
  • ENe-2A / EN1-2A / EN2-2A: Plans, composes and reviews a range of texts.
  • EN1-10C / EN2-10C: Thinks imaginatively and creatively.
  • EN3-1A / EN3-3A: Communicates effectively for different audiences and purposes.
Possible Learning Experiences:
  • Writing recounts or reports of the excursion.
  • Creating persuasive posters or letters about sustainable farming.
  • Describing the sights, sounds, and smells in poetry or narrative.
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PRE-VISIT LESSON IDEAS


1. What is a Farm?

Subject: Geography / Science

Outcomes: GE1-1, GE2-1, ST1-4LW-S

Activity:

  • Brainstorm types of farms (crop, animal, mixed).
  • Discuss where food comes from (supermarket vs farm).
  • Show a map of NSW and locate Port Macquarie and your farm.
  • Introduce terms: organic, compost, pollination, produce, value-added.

🖍️ Worksheet: “My Food Journey”

Draw or write the journey of  a tomato from seed to plate.


2. Meet the Farmers

Subject: English / PDHPE

Outcomes: EN1-1A, PD1-6

Activity:

  • Watch a short video (or use photos) showing Desley and her husband on the farm. 
  • Prepare questions the class would like to ask the farmers.
  • Discuss what a farmer’s day might be like (good and hard parts).

🖍️ Worksheet: “If I Were a Farmer…”

Students write or draw what they would do if they ran a farm for a day.


3. Farm Safety & Behaviour

Subject: PDHPE

Outcomes: PD1-7, PD2-7

Activity:

  • Create a list of farm rules: stay with your group, be alert of obstacles such as hoses, drains, etc, wash hands, etc.
  • Role play good vs unsafe behaviours.
  • Discuss allergies, animal safety, sun protection.




POST-VISIT LESSON IDEAS


1. Recount Writing

Subject: English

Outcomes: EN1-2A, EN2-2A, EN3-1A

Activity:

  • Discuss what they saw, did, heard, smelled, tasted.
  • Structure a written recount (Beginning, Middle, End).

🖍️ Worksheet: “Our Day on the Farm – Recount Template”

Includes sentence starters and space for illustrations.


2. Design a Healthy Lunchbox

Subject: PDHPE / Science

Outcomes: PD1-7, ST2-4LW-S

Activity:

  • Use produce from the farm to design a healthy lunchbox.
  • Label where each item came from (e.g. “carrots from the ground”).

🖍️ Worksheet: “From the Farm to My Lunchbox”

Cut-and-paste or draw your lunchbox and tick: “Local,” “Healthy,” “Tried something new!”


3. Mini Research Project

Subject: Science / Geography / English

Outcomes: GE2-1, ST3-4LW-S, EN2-10C

Activity:

  • Students choose one thing they saw (e.g. compost pile, broccoli plant, chicken, tractor).
  • Research and present: what it does, why it matters, how it helps the farm.

🖍️ Worksheet: “What Did I Learn From…?”

Template with prompts and space to draw/write.


BONUS: Creative Arts Options

  • Draw a scene from the farm using pastels or watercolours.
  • Create a short drama about a “Day in the Life of a Veggie.”
  • Make a sensory poem using their 5 senses from the visit.