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Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom News 
October 2014
Teachers at Cedar Park Elem try out ag activities
Teachers at Cedar Park STEM Elementary in Apple Valley try out agricultural focused activities as part of the MAITC Teacher Champions Program.
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Exciting potential with new MAITC Teacher Champions Model!
Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom(MAITC) is excited to pilot our new Teacher Champions program in three elementary schools this year.  MAITC is working with two Teacher Champions at each school to lead professional development workshops and inspire the entire school staff to infuse agriculture into their science, social studies, English language arts and health/nutrition curricula.  Our hope is that this program will lead to school-wide collaboration and systemic integration of agricultural. Connections between each elementary school and a farm family are also an important educational component for student engagement and establishing personal connections to agriculture.     
In This Issue
McKenzie Gregory
Teacher Feature
Ms. McKenzie Gregory
5th and 6th grade Writing Teacher
Rockford Middle School, Center for Environmental Studies
  
Why do you believe it's important for our students to be agriculturally literate?

I believe that by providing our youngest generations with opportunities to gain knowledge about the world of agriculture we can guide students to discover a deeper interest in learning about plants, animals and the environment. In doing so I hope we can cultivate a future where agriculture is value, embraced, and shared with others so that the gifts agriculture brings to local and broader communities can be preserved, appreciated, and utilized to their fullest potential.

Ms. Gregory class
5th graders in Mrs. Gregory's Exploratory class display the parts and dairy products that will be used to create their model of the cow's digestive system. 
  
Apply today for MAITC Grants and Awards!
  
The MAITC Foundation is excited to provide grants to K-12 educators to involve agriculture in their curriculum.  Applications are due January 10, 2015.
The MAITC Foundation also recognizes a Minnesota teacher with the Excellence in Teaching about Agriculture Award.  The winner of this award receives a $500 cash prize and a trip to the National Ag in the Classroom Conference in Louisville, KY.  Applications are due December 4, 2014.
MAITC Foundation Annual Meeting MAITC Foundation Memebers participate at Oliver Kelly Farm
  
The 2014 MAITC Foundation held its Annual Meeting at the Oliver Kelly Farm, a National Historic Site, near Elk River, MN.  Thank you to all who attended to celebrate the success of the MAITC program and recognize our generous donors. 
  
For more information about the MAITC Foundation visit http://maitcfoundation.org
  
Fantastic ResourcesAgMag Jr.AgMAg
  
AgMag and AgMag Jr.
The first issue of the 2014-2015 AgMag and AgMag Jr.  will arrive in the hands  of teachers who requested to receive this agricultural-themed magazine series in mid-October. For more information or to order, visit http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/kids/agmags.aspx
  
National Agriculture in the Classroom Curriculum Matrix
Explore this online, searchable, and standards-based curriculum map for K-12 teachers. The Matrix contextualizes national education standards in science, social studies, and  nutrition education with relevant instructional resources linked to Common Core Standards. Search for classroom-ready resources at  http://www.agclassroom.org/teacher/matrix/
  
Minnesota Alliance for Geographic Education (MAGE)Minnesota Alliance for Geographic Education
MAITC has been proud to partner with MAGE on several projects, including our Food For Thought Mapping Curriculum, that focus on the link between geography and agriculture.  Explore MAGE's lesson warehouse and curricular resources at http://lt.umn.edu/mage/
  
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