Publisher’s Story Summary: When a farmer brings Mrs. Kerr's class a dozen eggs to incubate, the class project quickly goes awry. In no time at all, Mrs. Kerr's classroom has become a farmyard and the situation is spiraling out of control.

It all starts when the farmer forgets to come back to get the newly hatched chicks. Before the class can say cluck, the chicks have turned into chickens and are roosting on the science table and chattering away all day long. When the farmer finally does return, the classroom is overrun with chickens. “These chickens look so happy,” she says. “I can't bear to take them away. And here's a little present for all you've done.”

“Bunnies,” says Mrs. Kerr. “How cute.” From chicks to bunnies to an old nanny goat, Mrs. Kerr's class must take drastic measures to prevent total bedlam. Will their class ever be the same?

LESSON: TOO MANY CHICKENS

Lesson Summary

A simple classroom animal project turns Mrs. Kerr's class into a market full of goods. The students sell the goods and earn enough money to buy a small farm where all their class pets can live.

Concept: Goods and Services

Definition: 
A good is an object people want that they can touch or hold. A service is an action that a person does for someone else.

Comprehension Questions

Describe the people in the story who provide a service.
Principal - manages and leads the school;
Teacher - teaches lessons;
Custodian - cleans building
Farmer - raises livestock

Identify the "goods" sold by the students.
Eggs from the chickens; angora hats from the rabbits; milk from the goat.

What did the students do with the money they earned by selling goods?
Purchased a small farm for the animals.

Other Concepts: Natural Resources, Human Resources, Capital Resources, Producers, Consumers

  Goods and Services