Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
Lesson: Cows
Date: September 5, 2011
Web page:
http://theroades.com/wiki/index.php?title=Guid
e:Snowflake_Bentley/Cows
Goal
Snowflake Bentley was a farmer who raised
and observed cows. I am sure he learned a lot
of interesting things about these bovines and I
would like to share a few things about these
fascinating creatures with you.
Materials Needed:
1. Heaving Whipping Cream in Tupperware container (or you can substitute with assorted
dairy products: cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt)
o Be sure to check the allergy list before class and offer a dairy substitute for
children who are unable to share in the tasting.
2. An extra container to pour the whey into
3. Butter knife (or plastic knife)
4. Crackers or bread
5. Book: Milk, From Cow to Carton by Aliki
6. Book: The Milk Makers by Gail Gibbons (includes pictures of various types of cows).
Both books are at FCPL.
7. Print out pictures of the different cows and of a cow to color: Cow Pictures and Activity
Activity #1: Making Butter
1. Start this activity right away.
2. Have the students take turns shaking the heavy whipping cream in the Tupperware
container, vigorously, throughout the whole class. By the end, they will have butter.
3. When the butter separates from the whey, pour the whey out into the other container
4. Spread the butter on crackers and enjoy
Snowflake Bentley: Cows
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About Cows
Ask: What is a cow? A cow is in the bovine family along with buffalo. It is a mammal.
Ask: Who knows what a mammal is? A mammal is an animal that has fur, is warm blooded,
gives birth live young and feeds them with milk.
o
Other facts: Mammals have lungs and needs air to breath. They have four legs and
ears that stick out
Ask: What is the difference between a cow and a bull?
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"Cow" is the name given to a mature female. "Bull" is the name given to a mature male.
"Calf" is the offspring of a cow and a bull.
"Yearling" is the name given to a calf when it turns one year old.
"Heifer" is any cow under three years old that has not had a calf yet
The cow has been called "Nature's Own Milk Factory". All mammals produce milk (like sheep,
goats, cats, dogs and humans), but it's the cow that gives the most milk by far, providing over
90% of the world's milk. Cows that are raised mainly for their milk are known as "dairy cattle".[1]
Different Kinds of Cows
Ask: What do they look like? Are all cows the same?
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Dairy Cows: These are the most common breeds of cows for milking in the U.S, each
with its own special characteristics. Different types of cows produce different types of
milk. Here are three of them.
1. Holstein: They are the only black and white breed of dairy cattle. They weight about
1500 pounds each and are the biggest of all dairy cows. Holsteins give more milk than
any of the other breeds and their milk has a lower fat content.
2. Jersey: Jersey is the smallest dairy cow. Jersey's eat less and give less milk than the other
breeds do. They are a reddish brown color and some have white markings. They produce
the richest (most butterfat) and most nutritious milk among dairy cows. [2]
3. Guernsey: Guernsey's are light brown with white patches on its forehead. It produces less
milk than Holstein, but it is higher in butterfat. There's lots of beta carotene (what's in
carrots) in their milk which makes it a nice golden color.[3]
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Beef Cows: There are more than 250 breeds of beef cattle. Some common ones are:
Hereford (Great Britian), Angus and Red Angus (Scotland).
Snowflake Bentley: Cows
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What Do Cows Eat?
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Cows eat corn, hay, barley, beet pulp, grass and wheat
Cows are very unique as they regurgitate (throw up) the food they eat and then eat it
again! This helps cows digest the food they eat.
Cows also drinks heaps of water- between 30 to 50 gallons a day!
How We Use Cows?
Before the 1800's most families had their own cow for milk and butter and if you were traveling
and wanted milk on your journey, you had to bring your cow with you! Plus your cow would
need to be milked in the morning and at night or their udders would hurt. Today we still use
cows for milk and meat, but we have refrigerators to keep the dairy and meat cold. Keeping it
cold actually keeps it from spoiling.
Interesting Facts:
1. Cows can see color (they can see yellow and blue, but not red and green[4]) and have
almost complete panoramic vision (360 degrees).
2. They have a keen sense of smell (up to 5 miles away)
3. Cows live up to 25 years, the number of rings on their horns tells their approximate age
Just like trees!
4. Cows have 4 stomachs and no 2 cows have the same pattern or spots.
5. Newborn calves (baby cows) weigh between 55 to 100 pounds.
Read: The Milk Makers and Discuss
Ask: What are the different things we eat that we get from cows?
Answer: dairy, yogurt, meat, ice-cream, cheese, milk.
Alternate Activity #2:Tasting
Allow children to taste cheese, butter, yogurt, milk (regular, organic as well as a dairy
alternative). Discuss. What nutrients come from dairy products (calcium, vitamins, proteins, fats,
energy)
Snowflake Bentley: Cows
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Closing and Review
Can ask these questions while students are coloring their cow.
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Can anyone tell us what a cow is?
Can you remember any of the names of different cow breeds?
What did you learn about cows today?
Lapbook
1. Color a cow to look like a Holstein, Jersey, Guernsey, Hereford or Black Angus
2. Past it into the lap book.
Read
If time permits, read "Milk from Cow to Carton" by Aliki
Helpful Websites
1. Answers a lot of questions about dairy farming:
http://www.klausmeyerdairyfarms.com/assets/cow_questions.pdf
2. All about Jersey cows:
http://www.woodsidefarmcreamery.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&
id=24&Itemid=22
3. Jersey vs. Guernsey Cows: http://mistyhorizon2003.hubpages.com/hub/Do-Guernsey-orJersey-Cows-Produce-the-Better-Milk
Snowflake Bentley: Cows
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