Grades K–3 (Book)
Teach the classic story of wheat from seed to table! This timeless tale follows the little red hen who asks, “Who will help me plant the wheat?” As the cat, dog, and mouse refuse to help at every step, students learn about planting, harvesting, grinding, and baking—until the little red hen enjoys the cake all by herself!
Use this story to introduce young learners to the wheat production process and spark conversations about teamwork, responsibility, and where our food comes from. It’s an engaging way to connect literacy, agriculture, and science.
Suggested Pairings
Bring the story to life by pairing the book with hands-on kits and activities:
- Grain Mill Kit – Demonstrate how wheat is milled into flour.
- Wheat Grinder Kit – Let students experience grinding wheat by hand.
- Wheat Kernels Kit – Show students what wheat looks like before it’s milled.
- Wheat Bundles – Give students a chance to thresh and handle real wheat stalks.
Lesson Plans
View lesson plans associated with the Little Red Hen on the National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix to connect this story to science, nutrition, and social studies concepts.
Extend the Learning
After reading, have students act out the story or create their own class version featuring other crops. Incorporate a simple baking activity—such as making bread or muffins—to complete the “seed-to-table” experience.
