Plan ahead with project AGRICULTURE topics

We have SIX topics that support Grades 7 through 11 Alberta Social Studies and Science curriculum – find great learning opportunities in Food Democracy, Agriculture Histories, Sustainability Matters, Sustainable Practices, Smart Agriculture and Food Diversity.

We also have FIVE topics that support Grades 4 through 6 Alberta Social Studies, Science, Language Arts, Math, Health/Wellness and Career and Technology Foundations curriculum – Amazing Race, Change with the Times, Everyday Chemistry, More than Just Farming and Trending Now. 

Students can explore these topics and download learning sources and activity handouts by clicking each topic in the TOPIC VIEWER. Check out our latest collection of project AGRICULTURE videos on our MEET A FARMER webpage.

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Remote and In-Class Learning Tips 

project AGRICULTURE continues to provide a flexible resource that can be implemented in both in-class and remote learning settings. We have a few suggestions for you to consider, correlated to Alberta’s competencies.

research and critical thinking 

Pick one of the topics available in the topic viewer. Assign a carousel slide for students to explore – each carousel slide is focused on a guiding question. 

Have students explore the information on the slide and download the Learning Source and Build Competencies PDF handouts. All carousel slides provide thumbnail images and hyperlinked text to facilitate free downloads of these handouts. Students can be asked to focus on one or a combination of the carousel slides in a topic for their research.

focus on trade and economic globalization with food DEMOCRACY – a Teacher TIP

GRADE 10 SOCIAL STUDIES

To introduce the concepts of transnational corporations, trade agreements, trade liberalization, and tariffs, I first provided students with the Trade Off PDF handout. In groups of two students read through the handouts and answered the guiding questions on the side of the document. Together, we went through their answers and reviewed the main concepts of globalized economic systems. Then students were asked to answer the critical thinking question “How do you think these economic trends have contributed to food security?” and also required to address the food insecurity and supply chain issues that have been heightened during the pandemic.

These questions and background information led to a great class discussion about economic globalization, food security, local forms of agriculture, and the pandemic.

-Amanda

information management

Have students create their own Padlet bulletin board focused on a guiding question from one of the carousel slides or on a selected question from a Spark PDF resource.

Spark PDF resources are found by clicking on the  or  or  icons on each topic banner photo. Ask them to compile written responses, collect images and add sources they find in their research to their Padlet boards. Go to https://padlet.com/ to set up a free account.

creativity and innovation

Challenge your students to answer and keep track of the trivia questions at the top of each carousel slide. All trivia questions have been designed so that there are no “right or wrong” answers; responses provide accurate information. Collect and use responses to create a list of agriculture “fast facts” or a “did you know” handout.

Students can also use information from carousel slides to create their own Kahoot quiz to share with classmates. Or  use the trivia questions to create their own online trivia game. Sign up on the Kahoot app is free at https://kahoot.com/. We’d love to share some of your student created games on the website.

community 

We also believe that, despite physical distancing, it’s important to encourage community and virtual connections with others. The project-based approach in project AGRICULTURE can facilitate some of those connections.

Challenge students to plan and develop a project. Junior and senior high students can use the project support resources on the project guides webpage.

Ask students to start with the Spark PDF resources. Have them identify and explore information and sources on one or two carousel slides on the LEARN webpage or through their own project research. Encourage them to use the links provided on the MEET a FARMER webpage to connect with and ask questions of Alberta farmers. 

be a citizen scientist with sustainability MATTERS – a Teacher TIP

GRADES 10-12 SCIENCE

I planted pollinator friendly flowers in the spring with my high school students to propagate bees from going extinct. 50% of the world’s population are now living in urban areas hence it is important to involve teen age students from urban areas in propagating bees.

My students planted pollinator friendly seeds hydroponically in the fall and winter. Once full-grown plants were moved outdoors onto an open space at The Farm School in Airdrie where someone donated 2 beehives. Unfortunately, one of them died.

Pollination is one of the most important services on the planet. Pollinators propagate our food, support healthy eco systems, and help agriculture. 

-Roopa

 literacy and collaboration 

Collaborative projects like the creation of an infographic or the development of a blog post or op-ed article can reinforce literacy and critical thinking. Creating a video or building a photo board can reinforce creative thinking and link to other subject areas. Suggestions for these and other project formats are provided on the project guides webpage.

Whether your students are working collaboratively in virtual learning environments, or working individually, we encourage you to consider submitting their projects and contributing to the start of an online community of learners focused on issues related to agriculture, the food supply and our communities.

communication 

Fillable fields are included in all PDF resources. To use fillable PDFs, students will need PDF readers on their computers or devices. Adobe Reader is a free download or app.

Fillable PDFs can also be used in Google Drive folders using the LuminPDF app. To use this app, upload the PDF into your classroom Google Drive folder. To take advantage of the fillable fields, have students click ‘Open with’ and select ‘Lumin PDF.’ Students will then be able to view and complete the fillable fields and save their work in the Lumin app. The app also provides the ability to collaborate with others. Go to https://www.luminpdf.com/ for more information. Free accounts are available with limited storage and editing features.