2009 SUMMER AG INSTITUTE
2009 4th and 5th GRADE AG DAY
2009 6th
GRADE CONSERVATION DAY
2009 5th&7th GRADE FARM SAFETY CAMP
2009 UNITED’S PUMPKIN DAYS
2009 WEST CENTRAL’S PUMPKIN DAYS
2009 ALPACA ADOPTIONS
2009 LAMB ADOPTIONS
2009 CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA
2010 CHOCOLATE LESSON
2010 TEACHER WORKSHOPS
2010 3rd&4th GRADE AG DAY
2010 STUDENT ASSEMBLIES
2010 PIG ORGAN PRESENTATIONS
2009/2010 School Year
As the 2009/10 school year begins, ag education is in full speed again. September is a very busy month for agricultural education beginning with the Prime Beef Festival. My goal each year is to provide teachers with new resources and materials to promote agricultural awareness in their classrooms. Our resources are aimed at helping students develop skills in math, English, social studies, and science. Our new kits are designed to teach agriculture through active discovery. All lesson plans and activities meet Illinois Learning Standards and State Goals. It’s important students learn about agriculture at an early age and be informed about where their food and fiber comes from. We live in an agricultural based community and agriculture is everywhere in Warren and Henderson Counties. Everything we have and own is related to agriculture, whether it be our food, homes, clothing, technology, or fuel. Agriculture is the largest industry in the world and employs more people than any other industry. Ag Education prepares students for successful careers and a lifetime of informed choices while providing an opportunity for developing leadership skills, moral values, and good citizenship. Below are a listing of Some 2009/2010 AG ED PROJECTS! click on topic:
The Warren-Henderson Farm Bureau, Knox County Farm Bureau, Mercer County Farm Bureau, and Henry County Farm Bureau hosted the 2009 Summer Ag Institute. This is a five day course offered to teachers ranging from pre-school through high school. The purpose of the course is to teach the importance of agriculture and how to incorporate agricultural activities into their curriculum. Teachers may also earn college credit for taking the course. Coordinators Day was Tuesday, July 14th in which the county coordinators presented information on available resources and involved the teachers in activities as well. Coordinators presenting lessons were Teresa Sanford from Knox County, Paula Jansen from Henry and myself representing Warren-Henderson.
2009 4th &5th GRADE AG DAY
Warren-Henderson Farm Bureau and the Prime Beef Festival Board sponsored the “ Ag Education Day” on September 11th at the festival grounds. There were approximately five hundred 4th and 5th graders and their teachers attending the event. It consisted of several agricultural learning stations including: Machinery, Fertilizer, Corn, Soybeans, Poultry, Horses, Pigs, and Beef Cattle. This is such a great opportunity for youngsters to become acquainted with various aspects of farming and gain a better understanding of the importance of agriculture. Studies show that only ten percent of students actually live on a farm or are directly involved with agriculture.
2009 6th GRADE CONSERVATION DAY
The University of Illinois Extension partnered with Soil and Water Conservation District to sponsor their annual “Conservation Day” at Youngs Lake in Kirkwood on September the 18th. There were over three hundred students and their teachers attending from west central, United, ICS, and Monmouth/Roseville. There were several stations that students visited with each one lasting about fifteen minutes. The various stations included Erosion, Recycling, Wildlife, Conservation Police, Forestry, Fish, Backyard Conservation, and Edible Soil. At the edible soil station students participated in several activities including the planet toss which they learned about how much useable soil is present on earth. Students also developed a particle parade to learn about the particles present in soil and last individually built a soil profile and enjoyed eating dirt.
2009 FARM SAFETY CAMP
September 30th and October 1st were the dates for this year’s annual “Safety Day” held at the Fair Grounds in Stronghurst. This year not only 7th graders were invited to attend the event but 5th graders attended as well. There were eleven stations for the students to visit including ATV Safety, First Aid, Grain Safety, Animal Safety, Water Safety, Weather Safety, Fire Safety, Railroad Safety, Drug and Meth Awareness, Internet Safety, and Lawnmower Safety. A special Live Line Demonstration was the highlight of the day in which students were especially impressed. Live demonstrations were given showing what happens when objects come into contact with electricity. Students were served lunch at the fairgrounds and each received a safety t-shirt and a bag of safety information. FFA students from United High school, Monmouth/Roseville, and West Central were on hand to escort students around the fair grounds.
LISTED BELOW ARE AVAILABLE KITS AND RESOURCES:
NEWER KITS
Dairy- (MAGIC) WHEAT- (MAGIC)
SOIL- (MAGIC) PIGS- (MAGIC)
PLANTS-
(MAGIC)
ILLINOIS-
(MAGIC)
POULTRY-(MAGIC)
OTHER KITS AVAILABLE
CANDY CORN
DR. SEUSS SOYBEANS
PORK FIBERS
BEEF PIZZA
TREES APPLE
BIOTECHNOLOGY PUMPKIN
RECYCLING FARM ANIMAL
Genetics FARM MACHINERY
AG MAGS AVAILABLE:
APPLES: Explore apple production, history, growth, and varietas. Strong focus on social sciences standards.
BEEF: A look at nutritional value, cuts of beef, products, breeds, and the stomachs of ruminant animals.
BIOTECNOLOGY: Basic concepts and agricultural benefits of biotechnology with a strong emphasis on History, geography, Science, and Society.
CAREERS: A look at jobs in agriculture and projected employment opportunities.
CORN: A look at corn, diversity of products, and a emphasis as a renewable resource.
DAIRY: Follow the route of dairy from the farm to the store to your home to your body.
EARTH WEEK: Explore how agriculture is a viatal part of the environment.
HORSE: Explore horses in the past and the present day. Strong emphasis on History and Math activities.
HORTIVULTURE: Read about the horticulture industry and what careers students can take in the industry. ( 6th to 8th Grade)
ILLINOIS: Take a trip to a 50’s diner to learn about Illinois commodities.
NUTRITION: Focuses on consumption and uses the food pyramid to optimize nutrition and fitness.
PIZZA: From crust to the final product-learn how agriculture is involved.
PORK: Care of livestock as well as an emphasis on the environmental aspect.
POULTRY: Science, Social Science, and Math standards are addressed through studies of embryology.
PUMPKIN: Language, Science, and Social Science standards are addressed through genetics, blossom dissection.
SHEEP: Fiber production from farm to garment provides an opportunity to address Science, Economic and History standards.
SOILS: Erosion, soil profiles, and usable land for food production are examined.
SOYBEANS: The soybean is examined with an emphasis on Nutrition, economics, and Geography.
TECHNOLOGY: From simple machines to global satellites is examined through math and Science standards.
TREE:
WATER: The water cycle, water pollution, and water conservation are addressed through Math and Science standards.
PLEASE NOTE: Anyone wanting to check out any kits, agmags, or additional resources contact me at:
Sandy Bertelsen
1000 N. Main Street
Monmouth, Illinois 61462
Phone: 309-734-5161
e-mail: ageducation@hotmail.com