
Themes for Learning for Grades K-5
These selected resources use thematic standards-based content to provide for immersive multi-day experiences.
The National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix is a free database of standards-based lesson plans and resources for K-12 educators that use agriculture as a lens for teaching science, social studies, career and technical education, and nutrition. Search the Matrix by keyword or use the Advanced Search tool. Looking for agricultural terms? Download a spreadsheet of the Matrix vocabulary. Let us know if you have an idea you'd like to share for a new lesson plan or companion resource.
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These selected resources use thematic standards-based content to provide for immersive multi-day experiences.
Address curriculum standards with these selected instructional resources for subjects in grades 6-12.
Students identify different breeds of chickens, examine physical characteristics, and determine the stages of a chicken's life cycle.
Students investigate the importance of light to plants by creating a desktop greenhouse investigation and exploring the process of photosynthesis.
Explore photosynthesis to discover how plants obtain energy from the sun and then continue following energy's path to see how energy can flow through ecosystems to ultimately provide food for humans.
Students will view the 2020 documentary Kiss the Ground to consider the concept of regenerative agriculture as a tool to improve soil health and overall environmental sustainability.
Do plants need light? Investigate the importance of light to plants by growing and comparing plants in light and dark desktop greenhouses. Kit includes clear plastic cups with lids, black plastic cups, black electrical tape, black card stock, Jiffy 7 peat pellets, alfalfa seeds, white 5mm LED lights, and 3-volt coin cell batteries for a classroom of students working in groups of two. Order this kit online from agclassroomstore.com.
With lyrical language and blooming illustrations, Mara Plants a Seed demonstrates the transformative power of simple actions. By cleaning up an empty lot and planting fifty sunflower seeds, Mara begins to create a flourishing, wild garden—but she doesn't do it alone. Little does Mara know, flying insects, digging worms, hungry birds, noisy neighbors, and other secret gardeners are working to help transform the lot into something even more beautiful than she imagined. Rain storms wash away seeds, but rabbits leave some behind. Some helpers nibble up weeds, and others fertilize the soil. Each time Mara visits the garden, she's expecting to see her sunflowers growing. But as the flowers blossom, she uncovers the exciting secrets waiting for her!