2012 Ag Literacy Week: March 19-23, 2012
Seed, Soil, Sun by Chris Peterson
In this clearly written and beautifully photographed book, Peterson describes the seemingly miraculous process by which air and water combine with seed, soil, and sun to create nearly all the food we eat. Using the corn plant as an example, she takes the reader through the story of germination and growth of a tiny corn seed into a giant plant reaching high into the air with roots extending over six feet into the ground. Once again, Cris Peterson brings both wonder and clarity to the subject of agriculture, celebrating the cycle of growth, harvest, and renewal.
 This years ALW Book will be accompanied by the Seed, Soil, Sun Educator Guide developed by the American Farm Bureau Foundation. The educator guide is subject matter focused, with agriculturally themed-national learning standards aligned lessons and activities which use the book,Seed, Soil, Sun to teach reading, math, science, social science,health and nutrition to the 1st-3rd grade classroom.
For more information about Agriculture Literacy Week please visit our website. We will be adding information to the site throughout the summer. |
|
Celebrating our 2011 Teacher of the Year: Taura McMeekin
 | |
(left to right: Sandie Prokop, Taura McMeekin (2011 TOY), Heather Davis, Margaret Choy-Shan (PS. 164 Principal))
|
On May 26th, 2011, Sandie Prokop (NYFB) and I (Heather Davis) visited PS.164 Casear Rodney School in Brooklyn, NY to celebrate the accomplishments of Taura McMeekin and her "Green Team" students. Taura was the recipient of NYAITC's 2011 Teacher of the Year award, for her dedication to enhancing agricultural literacy among her students and her school community.
We presented Taura and her students with awards and educational materials from NYAITC and NYFB during their first "Harvest Day" of the season. The students were excited to watch the garden video that they had created showing the story of their garden and various classroom projects. It was obvious from their excitement how much they love the garden and how invested their are in their own learning.
Visiting the PS. 164 was a true honor - it is has a wonderful energy and an obvious devotion to its students. It is schools like PS 164 and teachers like Taura that provide inspiration for us all.
|
|
TEACHERS - Would You Like to Win a FREE Trip?
Each year, the NYAITC recognizes an outstanding New York elementary or secondary school teacher who uses agricultural materials and/or activities in the classroom to foster an understanding, appreciation and awareness of our food and fiber system. The winning teacher is then encouraged to submit-with our help-an application for a National AITCA Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture award and to attend the National AITC Conference, free of charge.
Agriculture is diverse and so are the methods that can be used to teach it, this is why eligible applicants do not need to be using a specific set of resources. If you know of or are a teacher who has a school garden, brings their students on farm visits, participates in Ag Literacy Week or utilizes any other methods to incorporate the food and fiber industry into their lessons please nominate them or yourself for this special award.
Applications for the 2012 Award are Due September 1st, 2011 Click Here to Learn more about the 2012 Teacher of the Year Application |
Lesson Plan: The Journey of Milk
The Journey of Milk is designed for use in upper elementary school classrooms to introduce students to dairy farms, the steps in producing and processing milk, interesting facts about cows and the dairy industry, and the nutritional value of dairy foods. Includes 30 student handouts and teacher guide.
|
|
Book: Clarabelle by Cris Peterson
Celebrate National Dairy Month with this wonderful story. Learn about the many things that cows give to us including milk, which is great for drinking and also is made into cheese, butter, ice cream, and yogurt. But also electricity, fertilizer, and compost for animal stalls. Vibrant, close-up photographs by David Lundquist capture Clarabelle with her herdmates and her newborn calf as well as the family members of Norswiss Farm who live and work together.
ISBN 9781590783108
|
|
Resource: NYAITC's Dairy Posters
NYAITC has created 18 posters highlighting various aspects of the dairy industry. There are 7 breed posters and 11 others that highlight the feeding of cows, anatomy and other facts. These posters are used at the NYAITC Moo Country Exhibit at the State Fair but they would also make great resources for classrooms or county fair exhibits. All of the posters (except for the "Cow Digestion" and "Feeding Steps") are formatted to be 24" X 36" but can printed on 8.5" X 11".
|
Website: The Dairyman's Blog
Will Gilmer is a third-generation Alabama dairy farmer from Lamar County, Alabama. He returned home to farm with his father in 2001 after graduating from Miss. State University. He created The Dairyman's Blog to educate people about the life of a dairy farmer. He includes pictures and videos about what is happening on the farm throughout the seasons
|
National Ag in the Classroom Conference
June 22-25, 2011
Fort Lauderdale, FL
More Information
4-H Career Explorations
June 28-30, 2011
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
More Information
Empire Farm Days
August 9-11, 2011
Geneva, NY
NYAITC is sponsoring the kids area in the Cornell Building - Come visit us!
More Information
New York State Fair
August 25- September 5, 2011
Syracuse, NY
NYAITC is sponsoring the Moo Country Exhibit in the Toyota Dairy Cattle Building
More Information
Regional Fall Workshops
We are looking for sites to host our fall regional workshops. If you would be interested in bringing NY Agriculture in the Classroom programs to your area please contact Heather Davis at hed24@cornell.edu or 607-255-9253.
|
