Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix

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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Featured Lessons & Resources

two hands holding soil with worms

Vermicomposting

  • Lesson
  • Grades K – 2

Students create a worm bin which will serve as a basis for investigations about ecosystems, life and nutrient cycles, and decomposition.

dry soil

Types by Texture

  • Lesson
  • Grades 3 – 5

Students investigate soil texture and determine the texture of several soil samples.

soybean seedlings growing in hydroponic solution in a test tube

Test Tube Hydroponics

  • Lesson
  • Grades 6 – 8

Investigate the importance of nutrients to support plant growth and discover how plants grow without soil by growing and observing plants in a test tube hydroponic system.

sun and moon

Photoperiod Phenomena

  • Lesson
  • Grades 9 – 12

Students will understand how photoperiodism impacts plants and animals in the environment and learn how egg farms use this science to manage the laying of eggs by their hens.

Compost Stew

  • Book

From apple cores to zinnia heads, readers will discover the best ingredients for a successful compost pile. How do you start a compost pile? What's safe to include? This book provides the answers.

Soil Samples (Soil Texture)

  • Kit

This is a great kit for teaching students about soil textures. The kit includes two cups of sand, two cups of silt, and two cups clay. All of the soil samples are from the state of Utah and are representative of the Intermountain Region, although the mineral content may be different, the particle sizes are true to soil texture type and can be used by other states for demonstration purposes. Order this kit online from agclassroomstore.com.