This text set is designed for a 2nd or 3rd grade unit focusing on cows and a dairy farm. It includes books, videos, websites, poems and songs that provide information about cows, the dairy farming process, and a dairy farm visit. The resources cover a range of reading levels and include fiction, non-fiction, videos, games and interactive elements. They are meant to be used before, during and after a class trip to a local dairy farm to teach students about cows and dairy farming.

1. Schmitt, Christine
June 19, 2012
LS 5160 Text Set Assign.
This text set addresses 2nd or 3rd grades, with the theme of cows in relation to a dairy farm. It is
in preparation for a study trip to a dairy farm, which many schools do in those grades.
The unit would be approximately 3 weeks in length, beginning before the study trip and ending
about a week after the study trip.
The text set ideally has constant availability. A computer and headphones are needed for use
with websites and videos. Paper, pencils and a community journal are needed so students can
write reactions or questions about the readings and upcoming study trip, or copy or write their
own poems and stories. The drawing of pictures would also be encouraged. The community
journal remains at the text center for all to read, use and add to.
Since most schools still have a library day, and a technology day, and a day for music, students
can pursue their own interests if they have the available resources in these classes.

2. Schmitt, Christine
June 19, 2012
LS 5160 Text Set Assign.
Cows: Study Trip to Dairy Farm
Books and Texts
1) Deedy, C.A. (2009). 14 Cows for America. Illus. Gonzalez, T. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree
Publishers.
Deedy, C.A. (2009). 14 Vacas para America. Illus. Gonzalez, T. Atlanta, Peachtree
Publishers.
Although a bit different, yet about cows, this book may interest a more eclectic reader.
For example, a reader of African descent may be interested in this book about a Kenyan
tribe. The tribe gives the gift of cows to an American diplomat in reaction to the 9/11
tragedy. Ideally, both English and Spanish editions would be provided. The Spanish
version accommodates Spanish readers, and gives them a sense of accomplishment if
they are more proficient in this aspect of reading.
2) Nelson, R. (2009). Cows. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner Publications.
This is a large picture book with little text. Big photos give close ups of cows and the
milking process. Good for non-readers and visual learners. It is a good book for those
who want to draw.
3) Peterson, C. (2007). Clarabelle: Making Milk and so Much More. Illus. Lundquist, D.
Honesdale, PA: Boyd Mills Press.
This “faction” book follows one cow, like “a day in the life” on a large dairy farm. It
includes products made from cows; not just their milk, but how their manure is used, too.
Suitable for all readers. Students can journal about the more unique aspects of this story.
4) Cronin, D (2006) Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type. Illustrated. Lewin, B. ABDO
Publishing Co.
Cows find an old typewriter and type messages to their farmer. They make requests, he
does not take them seriously. There are conflicts and resolutions. (Some reviewers say
this is a good book to teach conflict resolution). Enjoyable fiction for all readers. Students
may draw pictures similar to those in the book
5) Root, P. (2003). Kiss the Cow. Illus. Hillenbrand, W. Candlewick Press.
Kiss the Cow is the fictional story of Luella, who befriends a cow. She is a magical cow
who gives milk to needy people. The catch is that they need to kiss the cow on the nose in
order to keep the milk coming. A good book for writing reactions in the shared journal.
6) Cowley, J. (2006). Mrs. Wishy-Washy’s Farm. Illus. Fuller, E. Penguin Group Inc.
Fun fiction story about a silly woman and how she runs her farm; the animals end up
running off to the city and encountering trouble. Students may be able to contrast this

3. Schmitt, Christine
June 19, 2012
LS 5160 Text Set Assign.
with what they are reading and learning from the other books. They can compare it to
what they ultimately find out on the study trip.
7) Country Dairy (2012) Brochure. From Country Dairy 3476 S. 80th Ave. New Era, MI
49446 Ph.: 231-861-4636 ext. 119
Colorful and inviting, this brochure promotes Country Dairy. The dairy has Moo School,
where children are in an old fashioned one-room schoolhouse. Here a Country Dairy
employee educates them regarding the farm and their upcoming tour. Ideally there would
be many brochures for many students to look at together and discuss at the text center.
8) Wolfman, J., Winston, D. L. (2004). Life on a Dairy Farm. Minneapolis, MN:
Carolrhoda Books, Inc. Lerner Publishing Group.
Nonfiction, informative book about one family’s life on a dairy farm. Many large
pictures. Text contains many context cues. Pictures make for easier reading for below
grade level readers; more capable readers can benefit from the listing of extra books and
websites located at the back of the book.
9) Kalman, B. (1998). Hooray for Dairy Farming. Crabtree Publishing Co.
Nonfiction book describing how all cows on a dairy farm live; bulls, heifers and calves.
More for advanced learners because it tells more history and the processes milk and milk
products.
10) Dickmann, N. (2010) Los Trabajos en la Granja. Heinemann-Raintree.
Dickmann, N. (2010) Jobs on a Farm. Heinemann-Raintreef.
Informational book for struggling readers and/or ELL students. Both English and Spanish
editions would be present. The book describes farm jobs necessary for keeping farms
running, such as feeding animals and maintaining machinery. Also good for advanced
readers who are interested in Spanish.
11) Gibbons, G.(1987) The Milk Makers. Simon & Schuster Publishers.
Nonfiction book which explains how a cow’s diet affects the milk she produces. Also
lists foods made with milk. For all learners, especially prior to the study trip.
Video
12) Dairy Farms (2011) Using Machines to Milk Cows. Retrieved from:
http://www.ashevillecityschools.net Created by Sarah Emmerich.
Instructional video about milking cows. The video can be used for all learners with
shared journaling and discussion. Time: 2 min. 10 sec.

4. Schmitt, Christine
June 19, 2012
LS 5160 Text Set Assign.
13) Dairy Farming. (2011) Documentary- Wisconsin. Retrieved from:
www.fooddialogues.com
This is an informational video about what it takes to run a dairy farm; from growing the
food that feeds the cows, to the milking process, to needed medical care. The video also
introduces jobs in agriculture, particularly dairy farm occupations. It is good for all
levels, but most useful for above grade level readers for use with shared journal. Time: 5
min. 30 sec.
Websites
14) Farm Game (2012) “The Happy Farm”. Retrieved from:
http://www.realcaliforniamilk.com/fun-and-games
Interactive game where students use the information on the screen to make choices
leading to the “good care” of some milk cows. Fun for all levels. This would be
especially useful after the study trip.
15) Dairy Farm. (2012) Tour. Retrieved from: www.countrydairy.com/tours:school tours
Informational and instructional page about this specific dairy farm, and what to expect
from the study trip. Useful for all learners. Use with class discussion prior to study trip.
Journals can be taken to the farm with students so observations can be written down.
16) Kid Documentaries.(2012) Retrieved from: http://www.realcaliforniamilk.com/kid-
documentaries
Documentaries/videos made by kids whose families operate dairy farms. Interesting
insights to farm life are shown. Advanced learners can use this with journaling among
peers. Time: varying lengths.
17) Maui-A New Calf. (2012) Retrieved from: www.countrydairy.com/blog
Text and photos document a year in the life of a newborn calf. For advanced learners who
have time and initiative to follow this inquiry-based text activity. With teacher help,
email can be exchanged with Country Dairy.
18) From Cow to Ice Cream. (2008) Retrieved from: http://dekalbfarmbureau.org
Website for advanced learners. Contains information about dairy farms, including
vocabulary, “Udderly Amazing Dairy Facts”, and a comparison of milk to other
beverages. Students can make a chart or poster for a presentation.
19) Poems. (2012) Poetry contest winners. Retrieved from:
http://www.longmontdairy.com/kids/poetry

5. Schmitt, Christine
June 19, 2012
LS 5160 Text Set Assign.
Web page with 15 cow related and dairy farm related poems from an annual poetry
contest held by the Longmont Dairy in Longmont, CO. Five categories with three poems
each address all reading levels. Students may be inspired to attempt writing their own
poems, or they may want to copy a favorite and add illustrations.
20) Songs. Cow Tunes For Kids Copyright 1996-2006 Retrieved from:
www.seashellcity.com
12 catchy and fun sounding educational songs on CD. Songs teach fun facts about cows,
the history of ice cream, etc. Useful and enjoyable for all learners.

6. Schmitt, Christine
June 19, 2012
LS 5160 Text Set Assign.
REFERENCES
http://www.amazon.com
http://www.ashevillecityschools.net
http://www.barnesandnoble.com
www.countrydairy.com
http://dekalbfarmbureau.org
www.foodialogues.com
http://www.longmontdairy.com/kids/poetry
http://www.realcaliforniamilk.com/kid-documentaries
www.scholastic.com
www.seashellcity.com