Farming Around the World...from a biodiversity/traditional foods loving perspective

[pampered_mom]

I'm using "Hands Around the World:  365 Creative Ways to Build Cultural Awareness and Global Respect" for our K social studies spine.  When I first got the book I thought it'd be rather self-contained, but I'm finding more and more that I need to think ahead a bit and bring in a few outside resources.  I'm looking at farming around the world in the first few weeks of February.  I'm thinking it will dovetail nicely with our science unit on the human body.  Well, that and the fact that we'll need to be starting the seeds for our garden soon.

So...I'd like to take a look at it, but through the lens of the world instead of just the United States.  Biodiversity, seed saving, remembering the "old ways", etc.  I'd like to avoid the typical farmer books that focus primarily on tractors and other large farm equipment.  I'd also like a slightly more balanced perspective on the green revolution than is typically presented in most non-fiction children's books.  Yes, I know he's young...on the other hand I'm always surprised at how much he picks up.  He already has slightly different perspectives on food just by growing up in our family so I'd like to build on that.

Have you done anything like this?  Any suggestions on good picture books (fiction and non-fiction) or read-alouds?

[kittywitty]

Three Sisters Garden is good for a Native American view. Not a picture book, really, but stories, activities, gardening guide all in one.

[pampered_mom]

Originally Posted by kittywitty 

Three Sisters Garden is good for a Native American view. Not a picture book, really, but stories, activities, gardening guide all in one.

I came across that one and wondered about it.  Have you used it?

[kittywitty]

I own it and it's good, I just have too much overplanned already. We have read some of the stories and plan on doing some of the gardening activities this spring. It's a huge book and just full of tons of information.

[pampered_mom]

Originally Posted by kittywitty 

I own it and it's good, I just have too much overplanned already. We have read some of the stories and plan on doing some of the gardening activities this spring. It's a huge book and just full of tons of information.

That sounds like a good fit for us!

[limette]

Check out Victorian Farm and Edwardian Farm on YouTube. My daughter loves them.

[pampered_mom]

Originally Posted by limette 

Check out Victorian Farm and Edwardian Farm on YouTube. My daughter loves them.

Oh, thanks!  Ds *loves* watching videos on YouTube.