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Rural Living

Almost 20% of the U.S. population lives in a rural area. Students will explore this lifestyle and create a scenic vista.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Paper Towels

Steps

  • Step 1

    Most Americans live in urban (city) or suburban (outside a city) areas. However, nearly 20% of people in the U.S. live in rural areas. Have a discussion about the differences in these regions. For example, people who live in cities tend to dwell in multi-story buildings or single-family homes close together with small (if any) yards. Suburban areas are regions outside a city that are less densely populated so they tend to have room for backyards. Life in a rural community is quite different. There are fewer homes, so each has a large piece of land, and they need to travel farther distances to get supplies or meet with other people. Rural families tend to grow some of their food and may be involved in the farming business.

  • Step 2

    Ask students to think about the similarities and differences of life in each of these areas. For example, urban areas tend to provide local access to many conveniences, diverse cultural institutions, and be noisy, with limited green space. People who live in rural areas tend to have more green space, less pollution, and the opportunity for self-sufficient living. However, getting essentials requires long travel times, and internet access can be limited or slow.

  • Step 3

    Ask students to create a scenic vista of life in a rural area. They might choose to show mountains, rivers, gardens, orchards or other aspects of having more land around a home. They can draw the type of home they think might be found in this area and research how home styles vary based on geographic region, materials available, climate, etc.

  • Step 4

    Have students present their artwork and discuss the region they depicted and the benefits of living there.

Standards

SS: People, Places, and Environments: Draw upon experiences in neighborhoods, towns and cities, states and nations, as well as peoples and places distant and unfamiliar to explore geographic similarities and differences. 

Adaptations

Have students write "journal entries" chronicling a typical day in a rural environment. Might they have fresh eggs from their chickens for breakfast and milk from their cow? How far is the school, and how do they get there? What chores would they do? What hobbies might they engage in? If students in your school live in a rural area, ask them to do a similar writing exercise but imagine living in a city or suburban community.

Have a farmer, horticulturist, or other professional who works in a rural career visit the class, either in person or via video, to discuss what's involved and some of the rewarding features of the job.