It’s clear our usual model of sending volunteers into classrooms across the county isn’t feasible this year. Instead, the pandemic has given us a chance to do something entirely new! Here’s the 2021 plan for our Ag in the Classroom (AITC) and CONNECTIONS Cover Design Contest.
1st-5th grade teachers, sign up for your AITC program now at
http://bit.ly/2021AITCreq.
Key features:
Pre-planned – Teaching during a pandemic is complicated enough. We’ll provide a thoughtfully-planned, engaging, and relevant experience for students.
Hands-on – Similar to our FARM Bags program, educators can request needed supplies to use in the classroom or to send home for remote learners.
Online component – In addition to an easy-to-follow lesson plan for teachers, a Bitmoji-style virtual environment will be created to include supporting videos, online games, informational reading, and more.
Flexible timing – Teachers can choose to incorporate their AITC lesson whenever it best fits their schedule.
Themes:
1st-2nd Grade – Why Farms Matter
Students will explore how farming connects their own lives.
What are farms, and why do they matter? In this lesson, students will trace the products they eat and use every day back to their farm origins. Students will then make living seed germination necklaces as a reminder of how farmers grow the products we need to survive.
3rd-5th Grade – The Science of Agriculture
Students will discover ways in which agriculture relies on science to produce food and other products.
From soil to seed to grocery store, agriculture revolves around SCIENCE. In this lesson, students will learn about several scientific innovations in agriculture. They will also explore the science of bio-plastic and make their own plastic from corn.
For questions about our Ag in the Classroom program, email rcollins@dekalbfarmbureau.org.
A note to our AITC volunteers…
One of the saddest things about the pandemic is how much harder it is to make personal, face-to-face connections. We want students and teachers to meet and learn from YOU, our experts in agriculture. But we also want to keep everyone safe and healthy. Stay tuned next year, because we will be reaching out for your help again!