Then and Now: Compare and Contrast

Subject: Language Arts

Length of Lesson: One 30-minute lesson

Objectives:

• Youth will be able to use a CD-ROM to gather information about the history of Iowa agriculture.
• Youth will be able to compare and contrast agriculture in the pioneer days and modern day agriculture.

Standards/Benchmarks:

• Uses electronic media to gather information (e.g., databases, Internet, CD-ROM, television shows, cassette recordings, videos, pull-down menus, word searches). (Language Arts)
• Understands structural patterns or organization in informational texts (e.g. chronological, logical, or sequential order; compare and contrast; cause and effect; proposition and support). (Language Arts)

Materials Needed: Paper and pencils

Introduction
During today's lesson we are going to compare and contrast pioneer life and modern life on an Iowa farm. What is the difference between comparing and contrasting something? What resources could you use to research how agriculture in the past is both alike and different than agriculture in the present day?

Activity #1 — Similarities vs. Differences

• Option #1-Charts
  Instruct students to divide a piece of paper into two columns. On one side, they should list all the similarities between agriculture in the pioneer days vs. today. On the other side, they should list all the differences. Once this task is completed, invite the students to share their answers as you create a master chart of similarities and differences on the board at the front of the classroom.
• Option #2 - Pictures
  Instruct students to sketch two pictures: one of agriculture in the pioneer days and one of agriculture today. Invite students to share their pictures in front of the class and report the similarities and differences between the two pictures.
• Option #3 - Venn Diagram
  Instruct students to create a Venn Diagram to help describe and compare elements from pioneer day agriculture and modern day agriculture. This process will help students learn what is alike and what is different. To learn more about Venn Diagrams visit www.venndiagram.com.

Activity #2 — A Day In The Life of a Farmer
Ask students to write a one-page story or diary/journal entry describing a "Day in the Life" of a pioneer farmer. Then, repeat the same activity by writing the "Day in the Life" of a modem day farmer. Remind students to consider various aspects of life, including where they live, how they care for their crops and livestock, their challenges, and so on.

Conclusion
Would you rather be a farmer during the pioneer days or today? Why? What would be the biggest challenge for you as a pioneer farmer? What would be the biggest challenge for you as a farmer today?

Evaluation
Collect writing samples, pictures or Venn Diagrams to check for understanding.