Practical Lessons (Poultry Reproduction and Egg Production Course)
Lesson 1.
Egg Sizing
SUBJECT AREAS
Language Arts, Nutrition, Mathematics
GRADES
All
OBJECTIVE
Students will learn about eggs, chickens, and hatching eggs.
MATERIALS
· Different sizes of eggs from the grocer (at least two eggs per size)
· poster of egg sizes
· egg sizing handout
Procedure
1. Eggs, like people and chickens, come in different sizes. We'll learn the difference between a jumbo and a pee-wee egg. This will help us get the most for our egg money.
Explain the size scale of eggs using the poster.
30 oz per dozen eggs = jumbo
27 oz per dozen eggs = extra large
24 oz per dozen eggs = large
21 oz per dozen eggs = medium
18 oz per dozen eggs = small
15 oz per dozen eggs = pee wee
You may also use matching cards to reinforce these concepts.
2. Pass out handout on egg sizing. Allow students to match the egg to its size.
3. Break out eggs and place each size egg in front of the same-sized unbroken egg.
4. Discuss weight by dozen. How many in a dozen? If we divide the weights by 12 we can calculate the weight of each individual egg.
Discuss the 7 cent rule: When buying eggs, if the price increase for the next larger size is 7 cents or less per dozen, then the larger size is the better deal because you get more egg for your money.
Make up some examples and determine which eggs would be the best buy. Remember:
When large eggs are 90 cents a dozen, they are only 60 cents a pound. Which size egg would cost the most in the store? The least? Why?
Encourage the students to look at the egg display the next time they are at the grocery store. Have them report on which is the best deal.
Lesson 2.
Hatching Eggs
SUBJECT AREAS
Math, Science, Language Arts
GRADES
3-4
OBJECTIVE
Students will understand things in the environment that affect eggs hatching.
MATERIALS
· 1 coin
· 24 paper eggs per student
· envelopes for each game board
Procedure
1. Read the paragraph at the bottom of the game page. What would happen if all the eggs hatched?
2. Have students identify the things that can keep eggs from hatching.
Have students play the game individually or in small groups. Each student starts with 24 eggs. The students flip a coin to move one or two spaces. (See game board.) The student keeps track of the 24 eggs throughout the game. Lost eggs are placed in an envelope. The one with the most eggs at the end of the game is the winner. At the end of the game, ask students which of the hazards in the game are caused by people? (too high or too low of temperature, too little or too much humidity) What can you do to protect the eggs?
Lesson 3.
Can You Crack Them?
SUBJECT AREAS
Science, Language Arts
GRADES
6 and up
OBJECTIVE
Students will test the strength of the arch in eggs.
MATERIALS
· 4 raw eggs
· modeling clay
· a 12" x 18" board
· bathroom scale
· books to be used as weights
· small garbage sack
Procedure
1. Soften eight pieces of modeling clay. Each should make a two-inch cube. Roll the clay into balls and flatten them slightly. The shape should look like a thick, round disk.
2. Make a slight indentation in the top of each piece of clay so that it becomes a cushion for the egg. Place one on the top and bottom of each egg.
3. Place the eggs on a garbage sack that is laying unopened on the ground as a drop cloth.
4. Position the eggs so that they will support each corner of the board.
5. Place the board on the eggs, checking to make sure all four eggs support the board evenly.
6. Place books on the board, one at a time, being careful to keep them balanced in the middle of the board.
7. Continue to do so until the eggs break. Usually, one side will give way first, so be ready to catch the books.
8. Weigh the books to determine the weight that broke the eggs. Divide the number of pounds by the number of eggs and you will have the average weight each egg held until one broke.
Questions
Is there a better way to measure how much weight an egg can hold without breaking?
If only one egg broke, does that mean the other eggs could hold more weight? How could this be tested?
Lesson 4.
Doing a Controlled Experiment
SUBJECT AREAS
Science
GRADES
5-8
OBJECTIVE
Students will learn the correct way to set up a controlled experiment.
MATERIALS
Dependent on the experiment
Procedure
Explain controlled experiment guidelines:
1. Experiment must have a control group and an experimental group. This is necessary to make comparisons and to determine whether any changes occur in the experimental group.
2. Control group must be controlled under normal conditions.
3. The experimental group must be maintained under normal conditions in all aspects except for one variable being tested.
4. Experiment must be repeatable.
Questions
1. Describe the control group. Why are they the control group?
2. Describe the experimental group. Why are they the experimental group?
3. Why is a control group important?
4. Is the experiment a controlled experiment? Why?
Lesson5.
Egg in a Bottle
SUBJECT AREAS
Science, Language Arts
GRADES
6-12
OBJECTIVE
Students will determine how and why the egg goes into the bottle.
MATERIALS
· narrow-mouthed jar
· two hard-cooked eggs
· wooden matches
Procedure
1. Peel the shells off the eggs.
2. Place one of the eggs on the mouth of the jar. What happens? Note: The egg sits there and does not move. There is a balance between the air pressure pushing down on the egg, the air pressure pushing sideways, and the air pushing up from inside the jar. Gravity pulls the egg down, but the bottle pushes it up.
3. Remove the egg and drop two well lit matches into the jar.
4. Observe the egg.
5. Discuss what happened to the egg.
Note: It was pushed into the jar by the air in the room. It is a misconception to say it was "sucked" into the jar.
When you changed the balance of pressure, the egg moved. In this experiment, you removed some of the air inside the bottle and it is not able to push up with the same pressure as it did before the experiment. Some of the air was removed during the process of burning the matches. More air was removed when the heated air inside the jar tried to escape. As it heated, it took up more space and it escaped the jar causing the egg to bounce.
6. Remove the egg by breaking it up with a knife and pouring the contents into a garbage can.
7. Repeat the experiment, focusing on the bouncing of the egg after it is placed on the mouth of the jar.
Questions
What would happen if you did not put the egg on the jar immediately? Hypothesize and experiment to find the answer.
What would happen if you tried this experiment with a small water balloon? Would the balloon be pushed into the container? Explain.
Hint: There must be a seal between the egg and the bottle. If your egg seems to have a gap, you might wet it with water or coat it with a small amount of oil.
Lesson 6.
How Fragile Is an Egg?
SUBJECT AREAS
Science, Math, Language Arts, Fine Arts
GRADES
5-8
OBJECTIVE
Students will design a "container" for his/her egg to determine whether the egg will remain intact when dropped from a predetermined height.
MATERIALS
· a scale to weigh each "container"
· meter stick or yard stick to measure dimensions
· stopwatch
· eggs
CLASS TIME
This may require six class periods.
Procedure
Introduction and discussion
Discuss the container designs, weight, and size restriction
Assign duties:
- Inspector to check eggs, weigh and measure container
