By Julie Tomascik
Editor
Although the coronavirus pandemic has altered some summer professional development events for educators, Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) wants to inspire teachers to bring agriculture to life in their classroom through interactive lessons.
“We wanted to find a way to still engage with teachers this summer and give them an opportunity to develop lessons that incorporate agriculture in the classroom,” Jordan Walker, TFB director of Educational Outreach, said. “This is an unprecedented time, but we know teachers are still creating their lessons for next year, and we want to inspire them to find a way to involve agriculture.”
TFB’s Lesson Plan Challenge provides a unique opportunity to grow curriculum resources for Texas teachers who want to increase agricultural literacy and awareness across all grades and subject areas.
Certified kindergarten through 12th grade teachers can submit one completely developed lesson plan that clearly incorporates agriculture in the classroom. Teachers who teach any subject may participate, except for those teaching agricultural courses.
“Agriculture can fit into any subject and in any grade,” Walker said. “We encourage all certified teachers to participate in the challenge. Local farmers and ranchers or county Farm Bureau offices can also serve as a resource for more information about Texas agriculture.”
To participate, completed lesson plans must include supporting materials and a citation sheet that includes all sources used.
Lessons will be judged in four categories, and judges will select a first and second place winner from each category.
Each teacher who submits a complete lesson plan will receive a classroom garden kit that will include a 32-cell starter tray, 32 soil pucks and 10 packs of seeds.
Each teacher will also receive either the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s book of the year and the educator’s guide, for the younger grade levels, or a higher-level book for teachers of higher-level grades.
All first and second place winners will have their lesson plans considered for inclusion as a curriculum resource on TFB’s website.
Winners will receive one digital microscope for use in the classroom and $300 to purchase classroom supplies. The first-place winners will also receive an all-expense paid trip to the 2021 National Ag in the Classroom Annual Conference.
“Encourage the teachers you know to find ways to bring agriculture to life in their classroom,” Walker said. “Farming and ranching has deep roots in our state, but many students are far removed from production agriculture. Our Lesson Plan Challenge can help inspire both teachers and students to expand their knowledge of agriculture and the challenges facing farmers and ranchers.”
Lesson plan submissions are due online July 24.
For more information, the online application, categories and judging criteria, visit https://texasfarmbureau.org/aitc.