Great Kids Farm

7th Grade Learning Journey

Teacher Handbook and Planning Guide

  
 
Table of Contents

Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………… 3

Overview of the Learning Journey to Great Kids Farm …………………………………. 4

Scheduling your visit …...................................................................................................... 5

Transportation …………………………………………………………………….……… 5

Automobiles at Great Kids Farm ……………………………………………….………... 5

Preparations for the Learning Journey …………………………………………………… 6

Permission Slips and Medical Information ………………………………………. 6

Chaperones ……………………………………………………………………….. 6

Student Safety ……………………………………………………………………. 6

Proper Clothing ……………………………………………………………………7

Personal Items ……………………………………………………………………. 7

Lunch …………………………………………………………………………….. 7

Pre-Visit Lessons ……………………………………………………………...…. 8

On the Day of the Learning Journey ……………………………………………………... 8

Post Learning Journey Activities ………………………………………………………… 9

Appendix …………………………………………………………………………………. 11

Great Kids farm Learning Journey Policy ……………………………………….. 12

Permission Slip and Guidelines for Visiting Great Kids Farm …………………... 14

Allergy Roster ……………………………………………………………………. 18

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Student Guidelines and Expectations for Visiting Great Kids Farm …………….. 19
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Great  Kids  Farm  ·∙  Baltimore  City  Public  Schools  
6601  Baltimore  National  Pike,  Catonsville,  MD  21228    
www.greatkidsfarm.org  ·∙  410-­‐744-­‐1096  
 
  
 

Introduction
Great Kids Farm, Baltimore City Public Schools’ outdoor education facility and farm,
engages students at all grade levels to support classroom learning, participate in every aspect of
food preparation, and prepare students for success in 21st century colleges and careers. To
provide a meaningful and uniform farm experience for every student during their City Schools
education, Great Kids Farm has created a Learning Journey for all seventh grade students. The
Great Kids Farm Learning Journey is designed to meet the Maryland State Department of
Education Career and College-Ready Standards and will incorporate topics from life science and
health within the themes of sustainability and food production. The following Maryland Career
and College-Ready Standards for seventh grade for the 2015-2016 school year include:

• Maryland Standard 3.0 Life Science

o MS-LS1-4: Use argument based on empirical evidence and scientific reasoning to
support an explanation for how characteristic animal behaviors and specialized plant
structures affect the probability of successful reproduction of animals and plants
respectively
o MS-LS1-6: Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of
photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms
o MS-LS2-3: Develop a model to describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy among
the living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem.

• Health – Standard 6.0 Nutrition and Fitness: Nutrition and Food Exploration
o MS-6.I.1: Apply the dietary guidelines in meal planning

Additional information pertaining to the current standards listed can be found at:
http://mdk12.msde.maryland.gov/instruction/commoncore/index.html

This handbook is intended to assist teachers in preparing their students for their Learning
Journey experience at Great Kids Farm. It is a tool to answer frequently asked questions and
includes an appendix with the necessary information, forms, and curriculum to prepare your
students for their journey.

This handbook will be revised periodically to include the most up to date information. If
you have questions that are not answered by this guide please contact the staff at Great Kids
Farm at 410-744-1096.
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Great  Kids  Farm  ·∙  Baltimore  City  Public  Schools  
6601  Baltimore  National  Pike,  Catonsville,  MD  21228    
www.greatkidsfarm.org  ·∙  410-­‐744-­‐1096  
 
  
 
Overview of the Learning Journey to Great Kids Farm
The Learning Journey at Great Kids Farm is designed to reinforce components of the
seventh grade science curriculum by engaging students in a positive outdoor experience through
the themes of sustainability and food production. This Learning Journey can accommodate up to
100 students per day and includes hands on activities and outdoor engagement that will bring the
students into direct contact with nature. Upon arrival at Great Kids Farm students will be
provided with a brief orientation to the farm and will rotate through three interactive workshops
including taste exploration and nutrition, a tour of the farm, and a seasonal activity. To
maximize student engagement all students must have completed the pre-visit lesson found in the
appendix of this guide. Additionally, students should be divided into groups of 15- 18 with 1-2
assigned chaperones per group. Group names will be: Apples, Beets, and Cabbage. Additional
information regarding your specific Learning Journey experience will be included in the
scheduling confirmation letter.

General Schedule
All times are approximate and can be changed to accommodate individual school schedules.

9:30-9:45 Arrival and welcome to Great Kids Farm

9:45-10:30 First Period (rotational instructional schedule starts here)

10:30-11:15 Second Period

11:15-12:00 Third Period

12:00-12:30 Lunch

12:30-12:45 Reflections and departure to school campus

Workshop Rotation Schedule

Farm Ecology Walk Taste Exploration Hands-on Experience

First Period Apples Beets Cabbage
Second Period Beets Cabbage Apples
Third Period Cabbage Apples Beets
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Great  Kids  Farm  ·∙  Baltimore  City  Public  Schools  
6601  Baltimore  National  Pike,  Catonsville,  MD  21228    
www.greatkidsfarm.org  ·∙  410-­‐744-­‐1096  
 
  
 
Scheduling Your School
Prior to scheduling a Learning Journey to Great Kids Farm, please consult with your
school administration to identify potential dates for your visit. Be sure to consider City Schools
master calendar, standardized testing schedules, and any school based activities that would limit
student participation. Learning Journeys to Great Kid Farm must be confirmed at least 3 weeks
prior to the date of visit to allow for necessary preparations to be made.

When your team has identified potential dates for your school’s Learning Journey,
reservations can be requested by visiting www.greatkidsfarm.org and using our interactive
calendar. Your request will be processed within two business days and confirmed within 1
week. Please note that reservations are on a first come first serve basis, and your school is not
guaranteed the requested date until you have received a formal confirmation email from a Great
Kids Farm staff member. If there are additional questions regarding scheduling a Learning
Journey, please contact a Great Kids Staff member at 410-744-1096.

Transportation
Schools are responsible for securing roundtrip bus transportation for their students to the
Great Kids Farm Learning Journey. To accommodate variations in school scheduling, the bus
company used to transport students to Great Kids Farm MUST be able to drop off students at
Great Kids Farm between 9:00AM and 9:30AM and pick up student to return to their schools
between 1:00PM and 1:30PM. The name and contact information of your chosen bus company
as well as your transportation schedule must be provided to Great Kid Farm staff no later than
ONE WEEK prior to your visit.

If your school can demonstrate financial need for transportation assistance, some funding
may be available. Please contact Great Kids Farm staff for additional information.

Automobiles at Great Kids Farm

Private vehicles cannot be accommodated due to student safety and limited parking
availability at Great Kids Farm.
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Great  Kids  Farm  ·∙  Baltimore  City  Public  Schools  
6601  Baltimore  National  Pike,  Catonsville,  MD  21228    
www.greatkidsfarm.org  ·∙  410-­‐744-­‐1096  
 
  
 
Preparations for the Learning Journey
The paragraphs below summarize additional information that will be helpful in preparing
for your students’ Learning Journey to Great Kids Farm. Please be sure to read over this
information at least two week prior to the scheduled visit.

Permission Slips and Medical Information

All students visiting Great Kids Farm MUST have a signed Great Kids Farm permission
slip in order to participate in the Learning Journey Experience. A copy of this permission slip
can be found in the appendix of this handbook as well as on the Great Kids Farm website. Please
be sure that parents/guardians fully complete all components of the permission slip as failure to
do so may impact a student’s ability to participate in scheduled activities. Permission slips will
be collected by a Great Kids Farm staff member upon your arrival at the farm. Any student
without a signed permission slip will have to sit out the visit in our main office with a chaperone.

Teachers are also asked to complete the Allergy Roster found in the appendix of this
handbook. One of the journeys that students will be participating in includes tasting various
foods. In addition, there are several bee hives located throughout the farm. Allergy sensitive
students are asked to bring their epi-pen as a precautionary measure. It is of upmost importance
that the farm staff is alerted to any student with an allergy so that precautions can be taken.

Please remember to bring appropriate medications or medical supplies if necessary as

Great Kids Farm cannot administer or supply them.

Chaperones

Adult chaperones are an essential component of the Learning Journey to Great Kids
Farm. We require 1 actively engaged adult for every 10 students in 7th grade. (One on one
aids are not to be considered as a chaperone as their primary responsibility is to the student they
are assigned.) Chaperones are expected to be actively engaged in the content matter and
supervise students as needed. Please brief all chaperones (teachers, aids, and parents) prior to the
Learning Journey of their duties as outlined in the Great Kids Farm Learning Journey Policy
found in the appendix of this handbook.

Student Safety
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Great Kids Farm is committed to providing students with a safe and engaging educational
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experience that they will remember for years to come. Some of the activities the students
 
Great  Kids  Farm  ·∙  Baltimore  City  Public  Schools  
6601  Baltimore  National  Pike,  Catonsville,  MD  21228    
www.greatkidsfarm.org  ·∙  410-­‐744-­‐1096  
 
  
 
participate in will be different from their normal school activities. Students, when finding
themselves in a new environment, can at times let their enthusiasm and excitement carry them
away, and consequently may engage in unsafe behavior. We ask that teachers emphasize good
behavioral and safety practices when preparing students for their Learning Journey to Great Kids
Farm.

The Great Kids Farm Learning Journey Policy found in the appendix of this handbook
outlines the protocol for student behavior issues at the farm. Please review this information with
all adults attending the visit as teachers and chaperones are responsible for ensuring the safety
and discipline of students while at the farm. If an emergency situation should arise during the
Learning Journey please alert a Great Kids Farm staff member immediately so that the situation
can be assessed and 911 can be contacted if necessary.

Proper Clothing

Great Kids Farm is a working vegetable farm that operates year round in all weather
conditions. Visitors should dress for the weather conditions and in clothing suitable for working
outdoors. We recommend wearing layers to ensure comfort throughout the day. In addition,
proper footwear is a must when visiting Great Kids Farm. Visitors should have supportive
footwear that can get dirty. Rubber boots or old sneakers are great. Dress shoes, sandals,
slippers, and flip flops are not recommended. (Many students find it helpful to bring their “farm
shoes” in a plastic bag so that they can change out of their “school shoes.”) Sun screen and hats
are recommended for use during the warmer months. In addition, teachers are strongly
encouraged to check the weather report 48 hours prior to their scheduled visit and discuss
appropriate clothing options with their students.

Personal Items
Students and adults are asked to leave behind or turn off all electronic devices except
cameras or those deemed necessary for health concerns. We cannot provide a locked area for
storage of these items. Valuables and money should be left behind at school. There will be no
opportunities to purchase food, beverages, or souvenirs at the farm.
Lunch

In some instances, students will participate in preparing a snack during the learning
Journey. However, students and adults should bring a bag lunch and drink with them to the
farm. Food and Nutrition services will provide bag lunches for students upon request. Teachers
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can request lunches for their students by contacting their school’s cafeteria manager. Please
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provide the cafeteria manager with at least 1 weeks’ notice so that they can plan accordingly.
 
Great  Kids  Farm  ·∙  Baltimore  City  Public  Schools  
6601  Baltimore  National  Pike,  Catonsville,  MD  21228    
www.greatkidsfarm.org  ·∙  410-­‐744-­‐1096  
 
  
 
Pre-Visit Lessons

The staff at Great Kids Farm has created several lessons to prepare students for their
Learning Journey to Great Kids Farm. These lessons will be shared with you through Microsoft
Office 365 upon receiving your school’s reservation confirmation. The pre-visit lessons will
include a video overview of Great Kids Farm to familiarize students with the space, a power
point presentation on the flow of energy and cycling of matter, and vocabulary terms that
students should be familiar with upon arriving at the farm. Additional resources may be
provided depending on the seasonal activity selected for your school. Furthermore, there is a
Student Guidelines and Expectations for Visiting Great Kids Farm document found in the
appendix of this handbook that should be reviewed with all participating students prior to their
Learning Journey to Great Kids Farm.

On the Day of the Learning Journey

Upon arrival at Great Kids Farm, please instruct your bus driver to stay to the right of the
driveway and unload students and belongings at the Education Building located to the right of
the parking lot. Staff members will be available to direct and assist students exiting the bus.
Please have permission slip readily available as they will be collected upon arrival.

Below is a check list of items to bring with you:

Items to Bring
Permission Slips (one for every student in attendance)
Allergy roster
Medical information and/or medications (epi-pens)
Lunches
Additional clothing and shoes
Chaperones (1 adult for every 10 students)
Camera
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Great  Kids  Farm  ·∙  Baltimore  City  Public  Schools  
6601  Baltimore  National  Pike,  Catonsville,  MD  21228    
www.greatkidsfarm.org  ·∙  410-­‐744-­‐1096  
 
  
 
Post Learning Journey Activities
Upon returning to the classroom from the Great Kids Farm Learning Journey it is
important to continue learning and build off the experience with the students.

Within the first week after completing the Great Kids Farm Learning Journey, students should
complete a written reflection of their experience. Additional information related to your specific
Learning Journey will be emailed to you after your completed visit. Topics for reflection could
include:

• What part of the Learning Journey experience was most memorable

• What did you learn at the farm that you would like to learn more about
• What was the most unexpected experience that you had at the farm
• Describe your tasting experience at the farm
• Describe your composting experience at the farm

Within the second week students should begin ideation for a group project that combines
classroom learning and their experience at that farm. The goal of this project should be a
tangible improvement to the school or local community environment. Schools and students are
encouraged to document their progress through photos and videos. Please visit the Great Kids
Farm website to upload your student projects. Suggestions for projects include:

• Design and initiate a campaign to encourage students in your school to make healthy
food choices.
• Design and initiate a campaign to increase student and community awareness of healthy
food options in the community.
• Create or improve a growing space on the school campus or surrounding community.
• Increase sustainability efforts at the school or local level (i.e. recycling, composting,
energy conservation)
• Organize and host a healthy community dinner.

Grants are available to assist schools with these efforts. Please consider applying for the
following opportunities:

• The Baltimore City Green Healthy Smart Challenge Grant

• The Parks and People community Greening Grant
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• The Maryland Ag Ed Foundation (MAEF) Ag in the Classroom Grant

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• The Chesapeake Bay Trust Environmental Education Mini Grant

 
Great  Kids  Farm  ·∙  Baltimore  City  Public  Schools  
6601  Baltimore  National  Pike,  Catonsville,  MD  21228    
www.greatkidsfarm.org  ·∙  410-­‐744-­‐1096  
 
  
 
• The Whole Kids Foundation School Garden Grant

Great Kids Farm has resources available to assist schools in their school based projects. Please
contact a staff member at 410-744-1096 for additional information.

• 3 seedling giveaways held in September, February, and May. Materials including seeds,
seedlings, and soil/compost are available for pick up City Schools employees with ID.
• Garden Summit held in the early spring
• Orchard Summit held in the late spring

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Great  Kids  Farm  ·∙  Baltimore  City  Public  Schools  
6601  Baltimore  National  Pike,  Catonsville,  MD  21228    
www.greatkidsfarm.org  ·∙  410-­‐744-­‐1096