‘All About Dairy’ – Classroom Curriculum for Elementary Teachers
This dairy curriculum is designed to introduce elementary students to where milk comes from and the role dairy cattle play in agriculture and nutrition. Designed as a five-day learning plan, the curriculum blends science, food systems, and real-world connections in a way that’s easy for teachers to use and fun for students to explore! Over the course of this 5-day curriculum, Students will learn about dairy cow anatomy and breeds, how lactation and milk production work, the wide variety of dairy products they enjoy every day, and the basics of ruminants and dairy cattle nutrition. The week wraps up with an exciting look at raising dairy cattle, including a virtual field trip to a working dairy farm.
This curriculum is made possible by the Southeast Milk, Inc. Checkoff, One Less Thing, and the UGA Dairy Team—bringing the dairy farm straight into the classroom!
Curriculum Overview & Materials
Lesson 1: “Meet the Milk Makers” (Dairy Breeds & Anatomy)
- Learning Target
- Identify popular breeds and parts of dairy cattle using correct terminology.
- Student Outcomes
- Students will be able to identify characteristics of dairy cattle and popular breeds, use correct anatomical terms for common parts, and apply proper terminology.
- Learning Activity Materials
- Teacher Lesson Guide
- “Are You My Mother?”: teacher information for common terms
- “Meet the Milk Makers”: teacher Information for anatomy and breeds, student handout
- “Milk or Meat?: student handout
- No other supplies needed
- Teacher Lesson Guide
Lesson 2: “Where Milk Comes From” (Lactation & Milk Production)
- Learning Target
- Describe parts of a cow’s udder with correct terminology.
- Student Outcomes
- Students will be able to use correct terms to describe parts of a cow’s udder and recognize the local impact of the dairy industry.
- Learning Activity Materials
- Teacher Lesson Guide
- “Dairy Data”: teacher answer key, student handout
- “Where Milk Comes From”: teacher information, student puzzle page
- “Decoding Dairy”: student activity pages
- Scissors and Envelopes
- Empty Dairy Product Cartons or Containers
- Internet Access
- Teacher Lesson Guide
Lesson 3: “Dairy Where?” (Dairy Products)
- Learning Target
- Identify food products that are made from dairy or milk components.
- Student Outcomes
- Students will be able to list types of dairy products and describe how they are made.
- Learning Activity Materials
- Teacher Lesson Guide
- “Dairy Where?”: teacher answer guide
- “I Spy Dairy Products”: teacher answer key, student handout
- “Shake It Up”: teacher guide
- Heavy Cream
- Salt
- Containers with Lids (Jars or Plastic Bottles)
- Marbles (Optional)
- Strainer
- Bowl Scraper or Spoon
- Plastic Wrap or Parchment Paper
- Plastic Knives (for Spreading Butter)
- Jelly (Optional)
- Bread or Crackers
- Teacher Lesson Guide
Lesson 4: “Dairy Digestion” (Ruminants & Dairy Cattle Nutrition)
- Learning Target
- Determine components of a typical dairy cattle feed ration and identify parts of the ruminant digestive system.
- Student Outcomes
- Students will be able to describe components of dairy cattle rations, identify parts of the ruminant digestive system, and describe the purpose of each.
- Learning Activity Materials
- Teacher Lesson Guide
- “Would You Each That?”: teacher answer guide, student handout
- “The Cow’s Superpower”: teacher answer guide
- “Roll-a-Ruminant”: student handout
- Dice
- Coloring Supplies (Crayons or Colored Pencils)
- Teacher Lesson Guide
Lesson 5: “Day-to-Day Dairy” (Raising Dairy Cattle & Virtual Field Trip)
- Learning Target
- Describe how producers raise dairy cattle and the day-to-day activities involved on the farm.
- Student Outcomes
- Students will be able to discuss the various aspects of a working dairy from feeding and milking to calf care and record keeping.
- Learning Activity Materials
- Teacher Lesson Guide
- Video: “A Day on the Dairy Farm”
- “Dairy Diary”: teacher guide, student handouts
- “Part of the Herd”: student handout
- Scissors and a Stapler
- Black Markers or Stamp Pad
- Coloring Supplies (Crayons or Colored Pencils)
- Teacher Lesson Guide