Ontario K–8 curriculum · Glossary

arable land

Definition

Arable land is simply ground that's good enough to grow crops on, usually because it has rich soil, enough water, and the right weather.

The fertile plains along the Nile River are arable land because the river provides water and deposits rich soil.

How to teach this in 30 seconds

Try this analogy: Arable land is like a perfect spot in a garden where plants grow big and healthy because the soil is good and it gets enough water and sun.

Ask your child: If you wanted to plant a vegetable garden, what would you look for in the perfect spot?

Common mix-up: Kids might think you can grow food on any patch of dirt. Arable land is special because it has the right mix of good soil, water, and weather for farming.

Examples

  • The Great Plains in North America are arable land used to grow huge fields of wheat and corn.
  • River valleys often contain arable land because of their rich soil and easy access to water.

arable land is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.

← Back to the full glossary

The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗