Skip to main content

National Agriculture in the Classroom

Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix

Search Results

Lesson Plans (20)

All Kinds of Farms

Students discover that there are many different types of farms. Grades PreK-K

Animals on the Farm

Students discover that farm animals produce different types of products. Grades PreK-K

Cotton's American Journey (Grades 3-5)

Students investigate the impact of cotton on the history and culture of the United States. Grades 3-5

Cotton's American Journey (Grades 6-8)

Students investigate the impact of cotton on the history and culture of the United States. Students will discover the growth and processing requirements for cotton, recognize how the invention of the cotton gin affected slavery, explain how the plantation system was organized, and ultimately understand the role of cotton in the Civil War. Grades 6-8

Crops on the Farm

Students investgate different food crops and how they grow. Grades PreK-K

From Wool to Wheel

Students investigate how the need for wool impacted the American colonists by examining the Wool Act of 1699, determining the importance of wool in colonial America, and comparing and contrasting the differences between processing wool then and now. Students spin, weave, and dye wool to explore how wool was processed in Colonial times. Grades 3-5

Growing Our State History (Grades 3-5)

Students investigate what makes a community livable and explore the influence of agriculture on the history of their state. Grades 3-5

Growing Our State History (Grades 6-8)

Students will discover the connections between agriculture, natural resources, and the history of their state. Grades 6-8

Growing a Nation Era 1a: Seeds of Change

Students will engage with the Growing a Nation timeline to explore the significant historical and agricultural events and inventions from American history during the years 1600-1929. Students will recognize the importance of labor in agriculture, discover how the implementation of technology increased agricultural production, and explore the role wool played during this era. Grades 9-12

Growing a Nation Era 1b: Cotton's American Journey

Students investigate the impact of cotton on the history and culture of the United States. Students discover the growth and processing requirements for cotton, recognize how the invention of the cotton gin affected slavery, explain how the plantation system was organized, and ultimately understand the role of cotton in the Civil War. Grades 9-12

Growing a Nation Era 2: From Defeat to Victory

Students will engage with the Growing a Nation timeline to explore the significant historical and agricultural events and inventions from American history during the years 1930-1949. Students will examine the cause and impact of the Dust Bowl, recognize how the Dust Bowl contributed to the Great Depression, and describe the government's response to assist farmers in the 1930s. Grades 9-12

Growing a Nation Era 3: Prosperity and Challenges

Students engage with the Growing a Nation timeline to explore the significant historical and agricultural events and inventions from American history during the years 1950-1969. Students examine the cause and effect relationships of many post-war advances that took place in our country and discover how increases in science and technology changed agriculture, leading to fewer farmers being necessary to provide food and fiber. Grades 9-12

Growing a Nation Era 4: Into a New Millennium

Students engage with the Growing a Nation timeline to explore the significant historical and agricultural events and inventions from American history during the years 1970-2000. Students recognize the importance of labor in agriculture and determine how the implementation of technology in agriculture increased agricultural production. Grades 9-12

Growing a Nation Era 5a: Growing Technology

Students will be introduced to technologies currently used on farms by engaging in an AppQuest to discover how farmers use mobile apps to manage farm production systems, marketing options, and make timely decisions. Grades 9-12

Growing a Nation Era 5b: Playing by the Rules

Students will explore the major events and changes in agriculture related to science, technology, and policy in the era of 2001 to the present, taking an in-depth look at how these elements have impacted American families and communities through the passage and enactment of government programs and policies. Grades 9-12

Horse and Rider: The Pony Express (Grades 3-5)

Students investigate the importance of the Pony Express to the settlement and expansion of the American West by mapping Pony Express stations. Grades 3-5

Horse and Rider: The Pony Express (Grades 6-8)

Students investigate the importance of the Pony Express to the settlement and expansion of the American West by mapping Pony Express stations. Grades 6-8

Machines on the Farm

Students identify different machines used on farms and what they do. Grades PreK-K

Thank You Farmers

Students discover what farmers do and how they help their community. Grades PreK-K

The Cattle Drive and Westward Expansion

Students will gain a greater understanding of the historical context and purpose of the cattle drives that took place in the mid 1880s. Students will be able to explain the cause and effect relationships of life on the frontier including, population growth, and later the invention and use of barbed wire, refrigeration, and railroads. Grades 9-12

Companion Resources (10)

Booklet/Reader
AgBadging Field Guide
The AgBadging Field Guide will lead you through an exciting exploration of agriculture—what you eat, wear, and use every day. Throughout your journey, you will have the opportunity to earn five different badges—Agriculture & the Environment, Plants & Animals, Food & Health, Technology & Engineering, and Geography & Culture. The AgBadging Field Guide was developed for youth ages 8-11. Preview the digital version of the field guide hereOrder field guides online from agclassroomstore.com.
Kit
Aeroponic Garden Kit
Aeroponics' is a plant cultivation technique where plant roots are suspended in the air and misted with a nutrient and water solution. The Aeroponic Garden Kit provides everything except a 5-gallon bucket for students to create their own aeroponic garden. Order this kit online from agclassroomstore.com.
Farm Animals in a Box
This kit is designed to support various forms of homeschool, virtual learning, and online classes by providing ready-to-use supplies to facilitate hands-on learning and discovery. The kit contains materials for one student to complete a variety of activities found in the following resources: Animal or Plant?Animal Life Cycles (Activity 2); About Farm Animals Mini Kit; Hatching Science with Classroom Chicks (Activity 3); Baa, Ram, Ewe...Sheep Tales (Activity 3). Order this kit online from agclassroomstore.com.
Food Science in a Box
This kit is designed to support various forms of homeschool, virtual learning, and online classes by providing ready-to-use supplies to facilitate hands-on learning and discovery. The kit contains materials for one student to complete a variety of activities found in the following lessons: What's on MyPlate? (Activity 1); Get Popping! (Interest Approach—Engagement); Cultures, Food, and Communities Around the World (Activity 1); Cheesemaking: From Liquid to Solid (Activity 1); By Land, Air, or Sea (Activities 2 & 3). Order this kit online from agclassroomstore.com
Garden Planner
This handy bulletin board planner will help you keep your garden on track all year long. The complete kit contains one full-size bulletin board, 17 crop strips to attach to the bulletin board, 17 corresponding crop cards for planning and classroom activities, and full instructions about how to use the bulletin board. Order this kit online from agclassroomstore.com.
Gardening in a Box
This kit is designed to support various forms of homeschool, virtual learning, and online classes by providing ready-to-use supplies to facilitate hands-on learning and discovery. The kit contains materials for one student to complete a variety of activities found in the following lessons: Soil Texture and Water Percolation (Activity 1); Desktop Greenhouses (Activity 1); Seeds, Miraculous Seeds (Activities 1 & 3); Flower Power (Activity 2); Plant Tops and Bottoms (Activity 2). Order this kit online from agclassroomstore.com.
Heredity in a Box Kit
This kit is designed to support various forms of homeschool, virtual learning, and online classes by providing ready-to-use supplies to facilitate hands-on learning and discovery. The kit contains materials for one student to complete a variety of activities found in the following lessons: Apple Science: Comparing Apples to Onions (Activity 2); From Chicken Little to Chicken Big (Activity 2); Sheep See, Sheep Do (Activity 1); Peas in a Pod (Activity 2); Inherited Traits in the Living Corn Necklace (Activity 2). Order this kit online from agclassroomstore.com.
Mozzarella Cheese Kit
Making mozzarella cheese in the classroom can provide an engaging opportunity to discuss food processing, the science of enzymes and proteins, careers, and more. This kit includes rennet (enzymes), and citric acid (acid), two of the components used in the cheesemaking process. Order this kit online from agclassroomstore.com.
Solar Power Kit
Engage students with this engineering design challenge! Students will design and construct a barn and add a solar panel to their barn that produces electricity power a fan. This fun challenge is included in the Farming for Energy lesson plan. This kit contains enough materials for students to work in five small groups. Order this kit online from agclassroomstore.com.
Wind Power Kit
Engage students with this engineering design challenge! Students will design and construct a barn and create a wind turbine that produces electricity for the barn (lights up an LED light). This fun challenge is included in the Farming for Energy lesson plan. This kit contains enough materials for students to work in five small groups. Order this kit online from agclassroomstore.com.