# data[].attributes.body
Additional resources for 9-12 grade courses

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Rigorous classroom instruction that is relevant to career-ready practices is at the heart of agricultural education. With a culture of professional development guiding the continued growth and skill enhancement of teachers, agriculture education can ensure students are prepared for entry into college and multiple career fields.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Rigorous classroom instruction that is relevant to career-ready practices is at the heart of agricultural education. With a culture of professional development guiding the continued growth and skill enhancement of teachers, agriculture education can ensure students are prepared for entry into college and multiple career fields.

# data[].attributes.headline
College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for All Subjects

# data[].attributes.subject
College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for All Subjects

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards - Content Standards (CA Dept of Education)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The College and Career Readiness standards anchor and define general, cross-disciplinary literacy expectations that must be met for students to be prepared to enter college and workforce training programs ready to succeed.

# data[].attributes.body
Standards for all pathways

# data[].attributes.headline
K-5 Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum

# data[].attributes.subject
K-5 Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum

# data[].attributes.body
Lessons and pacing guide by grade.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Elementary Agricultural Awareness Lesson Plans
These lessons are available for 2nd - 5th Grade students. The lessons have been structured to fit a five day schedule for each agricultural category. Lessons throughout the program will include a Reading/Vocabulary Activity, a Hands-On Activity, a Science Activity, and a Math Activity. Our suggestion is to start with the Reading/Vocabulary Lesson which includes a book. Every lesson thereafter will relate to the book and the agricultural category. Beyond day 1, the lesson order is up to the Elementary Teacher and Agriculture Teacher to decide what is best for the students. Our hope is that students who take part in the Ag Awareness High School Student to Elementary Student Program will learn about agriculture and the world around them while having fun too.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Elementary Agricultural Awareness Lesson Plans These lessons are available for 2nd - 5th Grade students. The lessons have been structured to fit a five day schedule for each agricultural category. Lessons throughout the program will include a Reading/Vocabulary Activity, a Hands-On Activity, a Science Activity, and a Math Activity.

# data[].attributes.headline
K-5 Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum

# data[].attributes.subject
K-5 Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum

# data[].attributes.body
Lessons and pacing guide by grade.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Elementary Agricultural Awareness Lesson Plans
These lessons are available for 2nd - 5th Grade students. The lessons have been structured to fit a five day schedule for each agricultural category. Lessons throughout the program will include a Reading/Vocabulary Activity, a Hands-On Activity, a Science Activity, and a Math Activity. Our suggestion is to start with the Reading/Vocabulary Lesson which includes a book. Every lesson thereafter will relate to the book and the agricultural category. Beyond day 1, the lesson order is up to the Elementary Teacher and Agriculture Teacher to decide what is best for the students. Our hope is that students who take part in the Ag Awareness High School Student to Elementary Student Program will learn about agriculture and the world around them while having fun too.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Elementary Agricultural Awareness Lesson Plans These lessons are available for 2nd - 5th Grade students. The lessons have been structured to fit a five day schedule for each agricultural category. Lessons throughout the program will include a Reading/Vocabulary Activity, a Hands-On Activity, a Science Activity, and a Math Activity.

# data[].attributes.headline
6-8 Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum

# data[].attributes.subject
6-8 Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum

# data[].attributes.body
Lesson and pacing guide by grade.

# data[].attributes.headline
Bringing Biotech to Life Unit Plans (Free!) 

# data[].attributes.subject
Bringing Biotech to Life Unit Plans (Free!) 

# data[].attributes.body
Includes 8 lessons and final project. All are free to download. Great for a DNA Unit!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
AFBFA - American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Bringing Biotech to Life - An Educational Resource for Grades 7-10

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A resource for science educators and others interested in learning more about biotechnology and its role in food production.

# data[].attributes.body
Sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. Highlights: The Vibrant Variety Pre-K-5 Ag Career Exploration, My American Farm, Downloadable reading guides to go along with story books.

# data[].attributes.body
Sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture.

# data[].attributes.headline
Agriculture and the Environment PDF Lesson

# data[].attributes.subject
Agriculture and the Environment PDF Lesson

# data[].attributes.body
Sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture.

# data[].attributes.headline
Dive In! Exploring the Science of Water and Food Production

# data[].attributes.subject
Dive In! Exploring the Science of Water and Food Production

# data[].attributes.body
NGSS Science Standards Included

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
ca foundation for agriculture in the classroom

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Judy Culbertson, Administrator and Yasuko Mitsuoka Grow, Designer

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Agriculture in the Classroom website provides a network and resources for educators that seek to engage K-12 audiences and improve agricultural literacy.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
ca foundation for agriculture in the classroom

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Judy Culbertson, Administrator and Yasuko Mitsuoka Grow, Designer

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Agriculture in the Classroom website provides a network and resources for educators that seek to engage K-12 audiences and improve agricultural literacy.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
ca foundation for agriculture in the classroom

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Judy Culbertson, Administrator and Yasuko Mitsuoka Grow, Designer

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Agriculture in the Classroom website provides a network and resources for educators that seek to engage K-12 audiences and improve agricultural literacy.

# data[].attributes.body
Lesson plan K-3

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Curriculum Matrix

Browse the Lesson Plans

The National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix is an online, searchable, and standards-based curriculum map for K-12 teachers. The Matrix contextualizes national education standards in science, social studies, and nutrition education with relevant instructional resources linked to Common Core Standards. Search our instructional, classroom-ready resources now! After you find what you need, consider storing them in your personal binder - MyBinder! You will also receive monthly updates about what's new in the Matrix.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
ca foundation for agriculture in the classroom

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Judy Culbertson, Administrator and Yasuko Mitsuoka Grow, Designer

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix is an online, searchable, and standards-based curriculum map for K-12 teachers. The Matrix contextualizes national education standards in science, social studies, and nutrition education with relevant instructional resources linked to Common Core Standards. Search our instructional, classroom-ready resources now!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Curriculum Matrix

Browse the Lesson Plans

The National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix is an online, searchable, and standards-based curriculum map for K-12 teachers. The Matrix contextualizes national education standards in science, social studies, and nutrition education with relevant instructional resources linked to Common Core Standards. Search our instructional, classroom-ready resources now! After you find what you need, consider storing them in your personal binder - MyBinder! You will also receive monthly updates about what's new in the Matrix.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
ca foundation for agriculture in the classroom

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Judy Culbertson, Administrator and Yasuko Mitsuoka Grow, Designer

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix is an online, searchable, and standards-based curriculum map for K-12 teachers. The Matrix contextualizes national education standards in science, social studies, and nutrition education with relevant instructional resources linked to Common Core Standards. Search our instructional, classroom-ready resources now!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Curriculum Matrix

Browse the Lesson Plans

The National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix is an online, searchable, and standards-based curriculum map for K-12 teachers. The Matrix contextualizes national education standards in science, social studies, and nutrition education with relevant instructional resources linked to Common Core Standards. Search our instructional, classroom-ready resources now! After you find what you need, consider storing them in your personal binder - MyBinder! You will also receive monthly updates about what's new in the Matrix.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
ca foundation for agriculture in the classroom

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Judy Culbertson, Administrator and Yasuko Mitsuoka Grow, Designer

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix is an online, searchable, and standards-based curriculum map for K-12 teachers. The Matrix contextualizes national education standards in science, social studies, and nutrition education with relevant instructional resources linked to Common Core Standards. Search our instructional, classroom-ready resources now!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Welcome to the SDCOE Science Resource Center

The San Diego County Office of Education Science Resource Center has been developed to guide educators as they implement the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS). This website contains information about the three dimensions of the standards, searchable versions of the CA NGSS Performance Expectations, descriptions of the various K-12 course models for CA NGSS, a framework for planning and monitoring quality science programs, and other tools to support professional learning in science.

Provide Feedback on CA NGSS in Spanish

The documents below are draft versions of the CA NGSS in Spanish and may contain errors in spelling, grammer, and/or phrasing. They are provided to gather public feedback. Please complete the CA NGSS in Spanish Feedback Form to help make this resource as accurate as possible.

To aid in the review and feedback process, the performance expectations documents are organized by Disciplinary Core Idea. They are not in final form or organization.

Classroom Posters for the SEPs and CCCs Available
Use the Science Icon Posters order form to purchase a set of these posters for your classroom or school.

Updates and revisions to the SDCOE Resource Center have been funded partially through the Standards Implementation Project and made possible by a collaboration between CCSESA, the California Department of Education, the State Board of Education, and the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.

contact us

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Home - San Diego County Office of Education

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Home - SDCOE serves our county's most vulnerable students and supports school leaders, teachers, and students across the county.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Welcome to the SDCOE Science Resource Center

The San Diego County Office of Education Science Resource Center has been developed to guide educators as they implement the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS). This website contains information about the three dimensions of the standards, searchable versions of the CA NGSS Performance Expectations, descriptions of the various K-12 course models for CA NGSS, a framework for planning and monitoring quality science programs, and other tools to support professional learning in science.

Provide Feedback on CA NGSS in Spanish

The documents below are draft versions of the CA NGSS in Spanish and may contain errors in spelling, grammer, and/or phrasing. They are provided to gather public feedback. Please complete the CA NGSS in Spanish Feedback Form to help make this resource as accurate as possible.

To aid in the review and feedback process, the performance expectations documents are organized by Disciplinary Core Idea. They are not in final form or organization.

Classroom Posters for the SEPs and CCCs Available
Use the Science Icon Posters order form to purchase a set of these posters for your classroom or school.

Updates and revisions to the SDCOE Resource Center have been funded partially through the Standards Implementation Project and made possible by a collaboration between CCSESA, the California Department of Education, the State Board of Education, and the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.

contact us

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Home - San Diego County Office of Education

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Home - SDCOE serves our county's most vulnerable students and supports school leaders, teachers, and students across the county.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Welcome to the SDCOE Science Resource Center

The San Diego County Office of Education Science Resource Center has been developed to guide educators as they implement the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS). This website contains information about the three dimensions of the standards, searchable versions of the CA NGSS Performance Expectations, descriptions of the various K-12 course models for CA NGSS, a framework for planning and monitoring quality science programs, and other tools to support professional learning in science.

Provide Feedback on CA NGSS in Spanish

The documents below are draft versions of the CA NGSS in Spanish and may contain errors in spelling, grammer, and/or phrasing. They are provided to gather public feedback. Please complete the CA NGSS in Spanish Feedback Form to help make this resource as accurate as possible.

To aid in the review and feedback process, the performance expectations documents are organized by Disciplinary Core Idea. They are not in final form or organization.

Classroom Posters for the SEPs and CCCs Available
Use the Science Icon Posters order form to purchase a set of these posters for your classroom or school.

Updates and revisions to the SDCOE Resource Center have been funded partially through the Standards Implementation Project and made possible by a collaboration between CCSESA, the California Department of Education, the State Board of Education, and the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.

contact us

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Home - San Diego County Office of Education

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Home - SDCOE serves our county's most vulnerable students and supports school leaders, teachers, and students across the county.

# data[].attributes.body
5E NGSS Lesson Examples

# data[].attributes.body
5E NGSS Lesson Examples

# data[].attributes.body
5E NGSS Lesson Examples

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
PBL leads to deeper understanding and greater retention of content knowledge

PBLWorks offers online and in-person Project Based Learning workshops and courses for educators seeking to give their students more. Whether you are new to Project Based Learning, advancing your practice, teaching in-person, or facilitating PBL curricula online, we have a path just for you. Pick your pathway and explore how to get started today...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Project Based Learning for all. We build the capacity of teachers and school leaders to design and facilitate quality Project Based Learning.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Project Based Learning is increasingly recognized as a powerful instructional practice, both in the United States and around the world. More and more educators are using project-based methods to engage their students toward meaningful, deeper learning. However, not all project based experiences are created equal ...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Biomimicry is revolutionizing education-offering teachers a way to inspire students of all ages by blending biology, STEM, creative problem solving, design, and systems thinking. Explore how we can help you share biomimicry with the next generation of change-makers.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Biomimicry is revolutionizing education-offering teachers a way to inspire students of all ages by blending biology, STEM, creative problem solving, design, and systems thinking. Explore how we can help you share biomimicry with the next generation of change-makers.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Agricultural Fact and Activity Sheets

California produces more than 400 different agricultural commodities, providing an abundance of fruits, vegetables, nuts, milk, nursery plants, flowers, fiber and livestock. According to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, our state produces nearly half of US-grown fruits, nuts and vegetables. Several crops enjoyed across the country are produced exclusively in California. Each sheet in this set introduces an agricultural commodity, plant nutrient or agricultural topic. Additionally, the sheets provide ideas for using this information in a lesson or activity.

Additional commodity fact sheets are currently being prepared. If you have a particular need or interest, or would like to sponsor a fact sheet, please contact us.

Download Fact Sheets by Topic

Invasive species are a growing concern, costing California more than $3 billion annually in damages to fruits, nuts, vegetables and more. With the Stop the Invasion Fact Sheet Set, students will read about six different invasive species, the damage they cause and how to stop their spread. The accompanying lessons and activities are aligned to California Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards. This resource was funded through a Specialty Crop Block grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
ca foundation for agriculture in the classroom

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Judy Culbertson, Administrator and Yasuko Mitsuoka Grow, Designer

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
California produces more than 400 different agricultural commodities, providing an abundance of fruits, vegetables, nuts, milk, nursery plants, flowers, fiber and livestock. According to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, our state produces nearly half of US-grown fruits, nuts and vegetables. Several crops enjoyed across the country are produced exclusively in California.

# data[].attributes.headline
5E Model of Instruction Resources including lesson templates

# data[].attributes.subject
5E Model of Instruction Resources including lesson templates

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Disclaimer: Neither inclusion nor exclusion from this page should be interpreted as indicating a positive or negative opinion of the product, service or supplier.

Categories
U.S. Poultry & Egg Association Education Resources
Agriculture
Eggs
Family & Consumer Sciences
Food Safety
Poultry

U.S. Poultry & Egg Association Education Resources

USPOULTRY Video Examines Poultry Packaging Labels
Raised without antibiotics, No Hormones Added, All-natural, Organic, etc...the meat case at any local grocery store displays a wide assortment of descriptive labels on the packages of refrigerated and frozen food products that are purchased for cooking. For some shoppers, the terms on the labels are confusing. While some may hardly notice or take the time to read them, for others, the labeling can raise questions. This video provides some clarity about the labeling of fresh and frozen chicken and turkey products and also reassures that American poultry products are among the safest and healthiest foods anywhere in the world. The video can be accessed by clicking here. An infographic that explains the various poultry packaging labels can be found by clicking here.

Poultry & The Hormone Myth
One of the most common...and frustrating...questions for U.S. poultry producers is why hormones are used to grow birds bigger and faster. Of course, the actual simple answer is no hormones are used. To address this continuing misinformation, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association has prepared a new video to explain the scientific, economic and legal reasons hormones are not needed or used by the U.S. poultry industry. The video can be accessedhere.

Raising Chickens and Turkeys...for today and tomorrow, a video from U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, allows you to take a peek behind America's dynamic poultry industry. From the hatchery to the farm, chickens and turkeys follow quite a journey as they feed the demands of a hungry world. Through research and innovation the industry is at the forefront of advances in food production while preserving the heritage of the family farm and contributing to a healthier planet.

An Inside Look at Poultry Processing, provides a look at how chickens and turkeys are processed in the United States. The video takes a behind-the-scenes look at today's high-tech, highly efficient poultry processing plants and highlights the food safety and sanitation practices employed by the modern poultry industry.

Purdue University High School EGG Curriculum
Poultry and egg production is an important part of agriculture and food production in the United States, especially in the Midwest. This website contains research-based, online STEM curriculum resources focused on the egg industry for elementary and high school students. Companion study: Poultry in the classroom: effectiveness of an online poultry-science-based education program for high school STEM instruction

Poultry & Egg Production Curriculum
This thirteen lesson plan series - Poultry & Egg Production Curriculum - provides agriculture educators with a comprehensive curriculum resource needed to teach students about the commercial poultry and egg industry. A professional curriculum consultant aligned the lesson plans to national Education Content Standards in Agriculture.

A version aligned with California curriculum content standards is available from the California Poultry Federation, www.cpif.org.

An Egg-citing Poultry Adventure

With funding provided by the USPOULTRY Foundation, USPOULTRY and the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture launched a new My American Farm game, along with a supporting lesson plan, an activity sheet and an eComic. The An Egg-Citing Poultry Adventure game and resources were developed to help third through fifth grade students better understand the poultry and egg industry, with students adventuring through the progression of stages in poultry and egg production in the game. The game and learning resources are free, and we ask all of our members to share them with your local school contacts. The An Egg-Citing Poultry Adventure game is available at http://myamericanfarm.org/classroom/games/?gid=poultry_egg.

Agriculture

The Animal Agriculture Alliance site provides educational information for Teachers, Ag Information and Educational Links. This is an easy and effective educational tool to understand the role animal agriculture plays in providing a safe, abundant food supply to a growing world.

Farm Safety 4 Just Kids, provides resources and training to individuals and communities to conduct farm safety awareness and education programs.

Science for Kids is sponsored by the Agricultural Research Service. Designed for children ages 8-13, the Web site explains how science affects everyday life and why it can make an interesting career.

BASF's eye opening video "One Hungry Planet" about farming in America!

The Voice of Agriculture - American Farm Bureau:Farm Bureau Store offers teachers guides and educational materials for grades K -12.

Bureau of Labor Statistics: From junior high to college and beyond, students and teachers can use BLS to aid in their homework and course planning. Students can use our data in their career exploration and to help with their homework. Teachers can use our resources to enhance curriculums using real world examples such as the latest statistics on employment, prices, and wages.

Eggs

Aeration, coagulation, crystallization control, emulsification, and foaming properties of egg products are words found in Family and Consumer Sciences curriculums. Functionalegg.org has designed their website to provide you with valuable information about the amazing multi-functional benefits of egg products in a variety of food formulations. University of Illinois: How does an egg develop from the time it is laid to the time it hatches? Come explore with us the fascinating 21-day life cycle of the embryological chick.

EggMath is a collection of web modules (including many interactive applets) covering different topics in mathematics related to eggs; it is intended for use in K-12 classrooms, as in the Chickscope project at the University of Illinois Beckman Institute at the University of Illinois.

Embryology in the Classroom:This Web site was developed by PennState University, to support the National 4-H Curriculum Embryology project material and help you - the teacher, the project leader, or the individual doing an independent study - become more familiar with the details of embryonic development.

United Egg Producers'The Egg Safety Center, provides education on ways to further reduce the incident of food-borne illness related to egg products.

Food Safety

Food Safety and Food Security: What Consumers Need to Know is designed to help educate consumers regarding food safety. The 15-page brochure is available in English or Spanish. It was produced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service. The brochure offers useful tips for safe food preparation and for keeping foods safe from contamination. For more information, call (888) 674-6854.

Become a Food Detective: New Mexico State University, in conjunction with the University of Virginia and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has created a "fun-packed" site to help teach children about food safety and bacteria.

The Partnership for Food Safety Education Web site has a special section for educators. It includes food safety fact sheets, information on creating a seasonal food safety education campaign, a community action kit, a public service announcement, and a copy of BACTALK, the group's newsletter.

The Food Safety Educator, produced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service, is a free newsletter that deals with food safety issues. To order a subscription, send an e-mail to FSIS outreach.

The Federation of Animal Science Societies offers FASS Facts on Biotech Crops: Impact on Meat, Milk and Eggs. The brochure was created to share science-based information with those interested in food animal and crop production. The brochure is available on the FASS Web site.

The American Museum of Natural History sponsors Infection Detection Protection. This site, specifically geared to children, includes general information on microbes and a "Bacteria in the Cafeteria" section.

Cooking for Groups: A Volunteer's Guide to Food Safety provides safe food handling information for volunteer cooks. The 40-page publication targets information to cooking facilities that frequently aren't covered by the same food codes that apply to commercial food service. It can be downloaded from the Food Safety and Inspection Service Web site.

Safe Food for the Hungry is a newsletter and Web site for staff and volunteers of emergency feeding programs. Every issue has a "recipe" section that focuses on safe use of federally donated foods.

Poultry

The Chicken Breed flip book provides information on various breeds of chickens, including the Plymouth Rock, Red Ranger, Rhode Island Red, Red Star, Cornish Game, White Leghorn and Delaware.

The Science of Poultry and Meat Processing by Dr. Shai Barbut, University of Guelph is a comprehensive discussion of the poultry processing industry, that is also easily accessible and available as a free download. The book which provides students and industry personnel with a detailed overview of the modernized meat industry focusing exclusively on poultry and poultry meat processing. The book is comprised of 18 chapters, which include discussion of muscle structure and physiology, live bird handling, stunning, inspection and grading, fabrication and fresh meat composition.

This unique presentation is an interactive overview of the anatomy of a chicken produced by Merial Australia and the Australian Poultry. Developed by Poultry CRC.

University of Nebraska - Lincoln: 4-H Embryology provides some great photos of a chick hatching and some video clips to watch.

Penn State Extension - this web site has been developed to support the "Embryology In The Classroom" curriculum released in 2001. Educators will find it extremely helpful as a resource for teaching embryology in the classroom. Embryology: The Study of Life is designed to provide you with background information and exciting experiential activities dealing with life science for use in your classroom. Each activity is designed to be grade-level appropriate and has been correlated to the U.S. National Science Education Standards.

The following resources are available from the Delmarva Poultry Industry:

Chicken: From the Egg to Your Table is a teacher resource manual that includes information and activities for use in Pre-K to third grade. Word searches, coloring sheets, and math and language activities will help students better understand how chicken goes from the egg to the table. The first copy is free for teachers.

Thinking Chicken is a 11-minute downloadable video designed, by the Delmarva Poultry Industry, to help fourth grade students gain an increased awareness of chicken, its production, and its importance to the Delmarva peninsula.

Delmarva's Chicken Industry: From Family Farms to America's Tables is a 13-minute downloadable video intended for use with adult, general public audiences. The video provides viewers with insight into the economics and importance of Delmarva's chicken industry and highlights positive ways in which the chicken industry works to protect the environment.
Auburn University Department of Poultry Science has developed Virtual Chicken, a downloadable video. Is the exploration of the reproductive system of a hen, showing the formation of an egg as it passes through the oviduct. Viewers ;see the oviduct in the context of the larger anatomy, explore the oviduct and follow the path of the formation of an egg.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Teacher Resources: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Disclaimer: Neither inclusion nor exclusion from this page should be interpreted as indicating a positive or negative opinion of the product, service or supplier. Categories U.S. Poultry & Egg Association Education Resources Agriculture Eggs Family & Consumer Sciences Food Safety Poultry U.S.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
KidsGardening supports the educators and caregivers bringing the life-changing benefits of gardening to kids.

We support educators and families with grant funding, original educational resources, inspiration, and community to get more kids learning through the garden.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We create opportunities for kids to learn and grow through gardening, engaging their natural curiosity and wonder. Helping young minds grow!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
KidsGardening supports the educators and caregivers bringing the life-changing benefits of gardening to kids.

We support educators and families with grant funding, original educational resources, inspiration, and community to get more kids learning through the garden.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We create opportunities for kids to learn and grow through gardening, engaging their natural curiosity and wonder. Helping young minds grow!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
KidsGardening supports the educators and caregivers bringing the life-changing benefits of gardening to kids.

We support educators and families with grant funding, original educational resources, inspiration, and community to get more kids learning through the garden.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We create opportunities for kids to learn and grow through gardening, engaging their natural curiosity and wonder. Helping young minds grow!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix

Lesson Plan

From Chicken Little to Chicken Big (Grades K-2)

Purpose

Students will identify different breeds of chickens, examine physical characteristics, and determine the stages of a chicken's life cycle.

Estimated Time

Two or three 45-minute sessions

Materials Needed
Interest Approach - Engagement: Activity 1: All About Chickens Activity 2: Chicken Genetics
*These items are included in the Chicken Genetics Matching Cards Kit, which is available for purchase from agclassroomstore.com.
Activity 3: Chicken Life Cycle

Essential Files (maps, charts, pictures, or documents)

Vocabulary Words

breed: group of animals that share many of the same physical features; in chickens it can be combs, skin colors, feather colors and patterns

brood: a group of newly hatched chicks

chick: a young chicken, newly hatched

hen: an adult female chicken of breeding age

incubation: process of warming the chick eggs before they hatch for about three weeks

poultry: domesticated fowl such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese

rooster: an adult male chicken of breeding age

Did You Know? (Ag Facts)

Chicken eggs are a good source of lutein which promotes eye health in humans.

A hen turns her eggs approximately 50 times a day to keep the embryo from sticking to the side of the shell.

The shell of an egg is extremely strong and can support up to 9 pounds without breaking with the pointed end up.

A female chicken can lay her first eggs at 5 months of age.

The color of a chicken egg is determined by the breed of chicken and in some cases can be the same color as their earlobes.

Background Agricultural Connections

All About Chickens
Chickens are thought to have come from wild fowl found in Southeast Asia; however, today chickens are raised on farms for their meat and eggs. There are over 113 different breeds, each with different genetic strengths and characteristics. Layer is a term used for a breed of chicken that is a very good egg producer. A laying hen can produce 1 egg per day after she reaches maturity. Broiler is a term used for a breed of chicken that is raised for their meat. Broilers grow quickly and are heavy with a lot of muscle. Some breeds of chickens are not particularly good egg or meat producers, but are raised as pets, as a hobby, or for shows. These are known as ornamental breeds. Raising chickens for eggs, meat, or as a hobby is not new, it has been acknowledged that chickens were raised by people beginning over 4,000 years ago.

Refer to the book, Chicks and Chickens by Gail Gibbons to learn some of the terminology used in the poultry industry. Chicks and Chickens is a children's non-fiction text that describes the different breeds of chickens, their physical traits, and depicts the life cycle of chickens from an embryo to an adult. The text also looks at how their bodies function, how they live, and their domestication by humans. Students will be exposed to how quickly a young chick grows into a rooster or hen for producing the 8 billion chickens consumed in the United States per year and the 250 eggs eaten yearly per person. Each stage of the life cycle is explained and identified with different physical features for all three; the rooster, the hen, and the chick. Descriptive pictures of the chickens' digestive and reproductive systems, drawings of eggs in different stages of development, and many interesting facts make this text a colorful and clear account of the domesticated chicken.
Chickens in the Agricultural Industry
Chickens are essential to the agriculture industry in that Americans consume its meat more than any other meat-producing animal. Whether chickens are raised on large farms inside of chicken houses or small farms as free range chickens their history with humans has been one of a large food source priced less expensive to produce and purchase compared to pork and beef. Chickens ability to produce both meat and eggs make them more diversified than other farm animals.

The leading producing states of meat chickens in the United States include Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, and North Carolina. In Iowa, Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania the largest numbers of chicken eggs are produced. Both broilers and layers are known to be omnivores with a diet consisting of grain, seeds, and insects. Chickens raised on large farms in chicken houses eat a prescribed diet of chicken feed and water. Chicken feed is a mixture of corn, grains, meat, fish, vitamins and minerals.
Chicken Genetics
As you learn more about and compare breeds of chickens, you will notice many different characteristics which are a result of genetic variation within the domestic chicken species. Skin color, feather color, feather patterns and textures, body size, and egg shell color are all characteristics you can see. These are known as phenotypes. Some genetic characteristics you cannot see by simply looking at a chicken, but you can measure these traits by keeping good records. Examples include rate of growth and egg production. These characteristics are particularly important to poultry farmers. Farmers research the genetic characteristics of chicken breeds and choose the best breed or breeds for their farm.
Life Cycle of the Chicken
The life cycle of a chick begins in an egg. Eggs that are produced for eating are not fertilized and will never form into a chick. Eggs that have been fertilized have the potential of developing into a chick if the environment is correct. Eggs can be hatched in an incubator or by a hen. If the process takes place naturally, the hen will lay a clutch of 8-13 eggs, by laying one per day for 1-2 weeks. Once she starts laying on the eggs or brooding it takes 21 days for the chick to develop and be ready to hatch. The mother hen keeps the eggs warm and only leaves the nest briefly to feed. The hen also turns the eggs several times per day to keep the embryo from sticking to one side of the shell. For a detailed lesson plan on egg development, see Eggology. The same process can take place in an incubator. The eggs are maintained at the proper heat and humidity levels and turned every few hours for the duration of the 21 days until they hatch.

Once the chick has hatched and dried, it will be covered in a soft, fuzzy down. Within a few weeks as the chick grows, it will develop it's adult feathers. In 4-6 months the chicken will be fully grown. Hens will begin producing eggs around 5-6 months of age and the cycle can begin again. Common breeds of chickens used for meat in the broiler industry grow very quickly. They can grow from hatch to harvest in as little as 8-12 weeks!

Interest Approach - Engagement

1. Begin a discussion with the students about chickens and baby chicks to create interest. Ask the following questions:

What do you know about chickens?

What kinds of sounds do chickens make?

Where do chickens live?

How are baby chicks born?

How long does it take for an egg to hatch?

Would you like to watch a baby chick being hatched?

2. Show the short video of baby chicks hatching.

Procedures
Activity 1: All About Chickens

1. Show the students the front cover of Chicks and Chickens by Gail Gibbons. Begin a discussion about the physical differences and similarities from the picture which displays a rooster, hen, and a chick. Point out the size, color, and shape of each animal example. Tell the students they will be learning about the similarities and differences in chicken breeds, the body parts of a chicken, and their life cycle.

2. Read pages 1-17 of Chicks and Chickens which will take you through the differences of roosters, hens, and chicks. These pages also display and label their body parts and identify certain breeds. Be sure to point out that roosters can be more colorful than hens within the same breed.

3. Separate the students into groups with three to four children. Give each group a Chicken Vocabulary List and have them brainstorm what they think the vocabulary words represent. Each group can be given a different list of vocabulary words. Have students define what they think the words mean and record the meaning in the space provided on the lists. If time permits they can also draw a picture to represent the meaning for each word.

4. Once all of the groups are done have each group report the words with their definitions. As they define a word that was labeled as a body part on the chicken seen in Chicks and Chickens, point this out in the book. The lists of vocabulary terms are grouped together focusing on certain topics. Point out that list #1 are types of chickens, list #2 are physical features found in chickens, list #3 are parts of the digestive system, list #4 are chicken behaviors, and list #5 are chicken housing needs.

5. Next, have each group write three sentences using a vocabulary word from their list in a sentence. These sentences can be assessed for definition accuracy as well as conventions.

Activity 2: Chicken Genetics

1. Use theGenetic Characteristics of Chickens PowerPoint Slides to teach students about the basic genetic characteristics found in various breeds of chickens. Explain that each breed of chicken has specific genes which indicate what it will look like, how many eggs it will produce, how large its body will be, etc.

2. As you go through the PowerPoint, explain that some genetic characteristics can be seen simply by looking at a chicken. For example, feather color, feather texture, type of comb, etc. However, other characteristics cannot be seen simply by looking at a chicken. These characteristics can be measured by farmers as they keep records. For example, a farmer can record how many eggs a hen lays or how much a chicken weighs.

3. With a basic introduction to chicken characteristics, your students are ready to learn about a few chicken breeds. Divide your class into groups and give each group a set of eight Chicken Pictures and a blank Chicken Characteristics Worksheet. Have the students look at the pictures and identify the characteristics of the chicken that are associated with its appearance. They will record these characteristics in the box. Once they are finished have the groups share their characteristics for each chicken. Compare each group's characteristics to each other. Are they similar or different? Were they able to identify feather color, egg color, feather texture, etc? Were they able to determine if the picture represented a rooster, hen, or chick?

4. Next, give each group one set of Description Cards. The students will match the Description Cards to the pictures. They should also be asked to compare their own, written descriptions from step 3.

5. Review and summarize with students that an animal's genetics determine it's physical characteristics (feather color, comb type, etc) as well as it's performance (egg or meat production). Ask your students to apply what they have learned by choosing the breed of chicken that would be best for each scenario below:

1. Imagine you are a chicken farmer and you are raising chickens for their meat. Which breed would you choose?
The Cornish chicken (#3) is the best meat producing chicken

2. Imagine you are the manager of a layer farm. Your goal is to produce quality, white-shelled eggs. Which breed of chicken will likely be best for your farm to produce the most eggs?
The White Leghorn (#2) is the best choice. White leghorn's are the most widely used breed in white-shelled egg production in the United States.

3. Imagine you are raising chickens in your backyard for a hobby and you'd like to learn how to show them. Which breed would you choose?
Students can choose any breed they'd like. Ornamental breeds such as the Cochin, Silkie, and Polish Crested are raised mostly for their novel feathering patterns. Hens of these breeds do produce eggs, but not as efficiently as other breeds.

4. Imagine you are raising chickens for eggs and you'd like brown shells. Which chicken would you pick?
The Sussex, Rhode Island Red, and Plymouth Rock all produce brown eggs. Be sure your students know that there is not a nutritional difference between white-shelled eggs and brown-shelled eggs. It is simply a consumer preference.

6. Ask the students questions that refer to the genetics of a chicken. If both parents are the same breed what would you expect the offspring to look like? If the parents are different breeds, what would you expect the offspring to look like? Compare the genetics of the chicken to humans. Ask the students, "W hat characteristics do you have that are similar or different from your parent(s)?" You can use the chicken pictures as a visual when asking these questions. Be sure to point out once again the similarities and differences found in the breeds.

Activity 3: Chicken Life Cycle

1. Finish reading the book, Chicks and Chickens. The last half of the book talks about the chicken life cycle. Ask the students if they can name or describe other living things that experience a cycle of life. Ask, "Do humans experience a life cycle? If so, what are the stages? If a chick takes 4-6 months to become an adult, how long does it take a child to become an adult?"

2. Tell the students that chickens and other birds have a unique life cycle that they will illustrate with their next class activity.

3. Using the Hen Pictures and Life Stages Cardsand the following instructions, assist students in assembling individual life cycle wheels.

1. Using one plate facing down, punch the brad through the center of the plate. Cut out the Hen Picture and glue onto the center front of the plate over the brad.

2. Cut out each Life Stage Card and punch a hole on the opposite end from the numbered tab approximately 1/2 inch from the edge of the card.

3. Tie each length of yarn to the brad knotting securely. Each yarn piece will attach to the brad in the center of the plate, radiate outward, and attach to an individual Life Stage Card.

4. Have students write the correct text on the back of each Life Stage Card. Use the attached document, Life Cycle Wheel Text.

5. Using the previously punched holes, tie one Life Stage Card to the end of each length of yarn.

6. Stretch each length of yarn with card attached out past the edge of the paper plate. Space these equally apart around the circle of the plate. Make sure that the cards are numerically sequenced.

7. Place the second plate on top of the first plate, face down. The plates should "nest" one inside the other.

8. Using five staples, secure the plates together. Ensure staples are evenly spaced around the plate making sure there is room between the staples for one card to be pulled through each space in sequence.

4. Have students form pairs and demonstrate their life cycle wheels to one another.

5. For homework, have students demonstrate and discuss their life cycle wheels with family, friends, or neighbors. Upon their return to school, have students discuss their sharing experience.

Concept Elaboration and Evaluation
After conducting these activities, review and summarize the following key concepts:

Both chicken meat and eggs are produced by chickens on farms.

Chickens grow through a life cycle just like other plants and animals. They begin their development inside an egg, they hatch approximately 21 days later, and then grow until they are mature.

There are many breeds of chickens. Each breed has a different set of genetic characteristics.

Enriching Activities

Visit the Interactive Map Project website and view the map representing Egg Production in the United States. Identify the state that produces the most eggs, then find where your state ranks for egg production.

Have the students watch and learn to perform The Hen Dance as a class.

Visit Penn State Extension for information about the 4-H Embryology Project. To provide hands-on, experiential learning activities related to life cycles, contact the Cooperative Extension Service/4H in your county. This community agency may be able to provide materials, instruction, and expertise that will allow students to hatch chicken eggs at school. Once the chicks hatch, farmers in your area may take them to live on their farm or call your county Farm Bureau office and they may find someone for you.

Suggested Companion Resources

Author

Darlene Petranick and Michele Reedy

Organization Affiliation

North Carolina Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom

We welcome your feedback. Please take a minute to share your thoughts on this lesson.

Agricultural Literacy

Education Content Standards

Common Core Connections

Education Content Standards

Science (SCIENCE)

1-LS1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes

1-LS1-2 Read texts and use media to determine patterns in behavior of parents and offspring that help offspring survive.

1-LS3: Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

1-LS3-1 Make observations to construct an evidence-based account that young plants and animals are like, but not exactly like, their parents.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Debra Spielmaker, Administrator and Yasuko Mitsuoka Grow, Designer

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
From Chicken Little to Chicken Big (Grades K-2)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
From Chicken Little to Chicken Big (Grades K-2) Purpose Students will identify different breeds of chickens, examine physical characteristics, and determine the stages of a chicken's life cycle. Estimated Time Two or three 45-minute sessions Materials Needed Interest Approach - Engagement: Activity 1: All About Chickens Activity 2: Chicken Genetics *These items are included in the Chicken Genetics Matching Cards Kit, which is available for purchase from agclassroomstore.com.