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Farming is Big Business
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Computer Resources
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SimFarm: Maxis (Electronic Arts), copyright 1993, Platform Win 95&98, Mac OS (CD-ROM).
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Software
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Maxix (Electronic Arts), Copyright 1993, Windows 95&98, Mac OS (CD-ROM).
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Internet
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http://www.maxis.com/games/simfarm/
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Cost:
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Free, Less than $20=$, Less than $50=$$, More than $50=$$$
$$
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Life Skills
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Using IT | Problem Solving | Wise Use of Resources | Learning to Learn
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Age Level
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9 yrs (5th grade)-Adult.
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Setting
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no information
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*Do
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Introduce software 5 minutes: One technical would be to encourage users
to explore the menu bar.
Let users work with software 30 minutes.
Reluctant users may be engaged by shorter work periods and more frequent instruction periods.
Users can often teach other users about the software. Users teaching others is a
good way to extend learning.
Three 40 minute sessions would be minimum for engaged users.
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*Reflect
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- How realistic is the software about farming, agriculture, & business?
- What strategies were successful in building a profitable, sustainable farm?
- What were the key systems in SimFarm (livestock, crops, weather).
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Apply
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- Hold a SimFarm contest. Single users, or teams of up to 4, work to build a farm for 60
to 90 minutes. Ask each individual/team to give a 5 minute presentation discussing failures, financial status,
and strategy.
- Visit a farm implement store. Have the users price out tractors, combines,
and other equipment from SimFarm.
- Visit a grocery store and a farmer's market. Which produce looks best?
Use the score card provided to help decide.
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More Activities
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Ask a farmer or agribusiness person to be a guest speaker. Tour a farm.
Have the users prepare a yearly budget on the cost of caring for a pet including:
food, water, toys, vetrinary services, license and other costs.
Using the Internet or other resources find out the main export crops of
Indonesia, Brazil, New Zealand, France, Costa Rica, and the Unites States.
Explore what makes these crops profitable in these countries. (climate? soil? growing
and harvesting costs?)
Use the Internet or other resources to compare the cost of leasing vs. buying for furniture,
computers, cars or other equipment. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Arrange for a field trip to a state or county fair.
Have the users fill out a loan or credit card application. Explain or discuss the form.
Discuss why the intitution wants so much information.
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Extended Activities
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SimPark, SimCity, SimEarth, SimAnt, The Sims(combining diferant Sim communities)
Grow a garden. Use the 4-H curriculum for Gardening, or
Horticulture, or have a community gardner provide leadership.
Use the Animal Science "Skills for Life" series
from 4-H. 12 differant animal projects on animal feeding, care, selection and judging,
fitting and showing, management, health, reproduction, genetics and more.
Explore food biotechnology and its impact. One site for lesson plans in this area is
www.accessexcellence.org/AB/index.html
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Time
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8-10 hours for the do, reflect, apply activities.
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Additional Information
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Sim Farm Score Card
Content: Farming concepts, business, weather.
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