Year 5
Curriculum Map
Sow, Grow and Farm
In the Sow, Grow and Farm project, your child will learn about allotments in the United Kingdom and how the government encouraged people to have them to support food rationing during the Second World War. They will learn about animal life cycles, including how living things are dependent on one another within a habitat. Additionally, there will be opportunities to learn about farming in the United Kingdom and the techniques used in modern farming, including the challenges that farmers face. Furthermore, the children will learn about the benefits of eating seasonally and about the pros and cons of importing food, as well as, how the different climate zones affect where different foods can be grown.
How you can support your child’s learning:
- Create a mini-allotment: Help your child grow simple vegetables or herbs (like tomatoes, carrots, or basil) in pots, a garden bed, or even a windowsill planter. Talk through the process as plants grow—from seeds to plants to harvest—and observe together.
- Visit local museums: Visit museums, such as the Imperial War Museum to learn about rationing during WWII.
- Cook a "Rationing Recipe": Try simple wartime recipes (like carrot cookies or potato-based meals) to give children a sense of how people adapted to food shortages.
- Research animal life cycles: Watch short videos or read books about animals such as chickens, frogs, or butterflies to help explain life cycles.
- Visit a local farm: Take your child to a working farm to see modern farming techniques and learn about the challenges farmers face. Many farms offer educational tours for families.
- Talk about seasonal food: Visit a farmer’s market or supermarket to identify which fruits and vegetables are currently in season and see where different fruits and vegetables come from.
