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Oklahoma AITC introduces seventh and eighth grade curriculum
STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma Agriculture in the Classroom introduced 35 new lesson plans developed for seventh and eighth grade students at a curriculum conference that took place Aug 1.
Teachers from across the state attended the conference at the Moore-Norman Career Technology Center, where they had the opportunity to sample curriculum in one of four workshops, meet with agricultural specialists who answered questions during round-table discussions and provide feedback on the usefulness of the curriculum.
“Knowing the time constraints for most teachers and the magnitude of the curriculum, we wanted teachers to see how easily the AITC lessons would fit with their curriculum requirements,” said Judy Ferrell, AITC curriculum specialist.
The new curriculum connects current agricultural issues with language arts, math, science and social studies at the seventh and eighth grade levels. Each lesson is aligned to meet specific Priority Academic Student Skills standards.
“These lessons not only provide teachers with relevant lessons for our middle school students but also provide ways to build relationships with the agriculture community and model responsible ways to use agriculture resources,” said Cindy Koss, Oklahoma Department of Education assistant state superintendent.
Oklahoma teachers piloted the lessons in middle school classrooms after specialists from commodity groups and Oklahoma State University reviewed them for content. The curriculum was then printed and posted online. Teachers can access all 35 lessons at www.agclassroom.org/ok.
“The lessons are interactive, interdisciplinary, inquiry based and can be modified for all student learning styles and levels,” Ferrell said.
AITC has provided lesson plans for elementary school teachers in grades K-6 that incorporate agriculture into existing curriculum for more than 15 years. The project to develop seventh and eighth grade curriculum began in November 2006.
“Agriculture is critical,” said Pat Thompson, AITC curriculum coordinator. “If our kids understand agriculture, they will value it.”
With a number of lessons already available online, Ferrell and Thompson said they will continue to post new curriculum on the Web site and work to increase the effectiveness of the partnerships with teachers and agricultural specialists.
Oklahoma AITC is a joint project of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. For more information about AITC, visit www.agclassroom.org/ok, or e-mail Thompson at pat.thompson@okstate.edu, or call at 405-744-8889.
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Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments Cooperating: The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.
Contact: Kellie Strawn
Phone: 405-744-7960
kellie.strawn@okstate.edu
