Kanawha, Iowa
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Farming is a familiar way of life for children growing up in rural Iowa. But even for a first-grader with roots deep in the Iowa soil, it takes some effort to really understand the science of agriculture and to see how the use of farmland relates to conservation and other matters.
First-graders in Betty Kobes's class at West Hancock Kanawha Elementary spend a whole school year digging into the science of agriculture. They are assisted by community experts, including farmers and scientists, who take them on field trips and come into the classroom for demonstrations and hands-on experiments. Students' learning is also boosted by computer technology, which allows them to expand their search for information on the World Wide Web.
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Class lessons include visits to a private working farm near the school
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