Fall Newsletter
September 2015
Welcome Back to School!
Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) is a statewide educational
program. Its’ goal is to help students, teachers, and the general
public gain a greater awareness of the role agriculture serves on
the economy and society. Thousands of farm products are in the
world around us: on our plate, in the clothes we wear, in the
medicine that makes us well, and in earth-friendly fuels and
plastics. With less than 2% of our population involved in
production agriculture, many consumers don’t know the source of
their food and fiber. The AITC program provides educational
programs for students to learn about agriculture through handson activities. Ag in the classroom is offered locally through the
Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau.
All programs align with
the Common Core and
Next Generation
Science Standards.
Classes can be tailored
for PreK-8th grade
learning needs.
A list of seasonal programs is listed in this flier and available at no
charge at schools. For a more complete list of kits and books
please check out our website at winnebagoboonefarmbureau.org.
To seek further information or to book a date for us to visit your
school, please call Diane Cleland at (815) 962-0653, or wbfbaitc@live.com.
To schedule an event contact AITC at:
Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau
1925 S. Meridian Rd.
Rockford, IL 61102
Phone: (815)962-0653
Email: wbfbaitc@live.com
Search Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau Ag Literacy on Facebook, click
the Like button, and keep up to date on upcoming events and programs!
AITC Programs for the Fall Semester (PreK-3rd grade)
September & October:
Amazing Apples!
Students will learn about apples: apple growth, trees, and changes that happen
throughout the seasons. It’s a great way to celebrate the fall apple season. Our
program pairs well with Apple orchard field trips! Students will make an apple chain to
show what they learned. Duration: 45 minutes.
Popular Pumpkins!
Students will learn about the pumpkin cycle, the history of pumpkins and
their importance in Illinois! It’s a great way to tie the Fall Holidays into your
curriculum. Students will make a pumpkin necklace to show what they
learned. Duration: 45 minutes.
November:
Thanksgiving Feast!
Students will learn how their Thanksgiving meal starts on a farm, goes to the
grocery store, and finally ends up on their dinner tables. For a treat, students
will make pumpkin pie in a bag! Duration: 45 minutes.
December:
Jolly Ol’ Christmas Trees!
Students will learn about the production, history, and growing stages of
Christmas trees through a story book as well as visuals. Students will
make 3D trees to reinforce what they learned! Our program helps to get
the winter holidays off to a start, and will help you tie agriculture into
your curriculum! Duration: 45 minutes.
Ag in the Classroom (AITC) provides in class programs that come at no cost to you or your school.
Teachers can request programs by visiting our website winnebagoboonefarmbureau.org and
clicking on the AITC teacher resources tab, or calling our office at (815)962-0653. Programs are
given by the Ag Literacy Coordinator, Diane Cleland, or another Ag in the Classroom staff
member. The programs usually run about 45 minutes. AITC will bring all necessary materials and
provide teaching time, visual aids, and hands on activities for your students. Most programs leave
behind materials for teachers to use for continued learning.
AITC Programs for Fall Semester (4th-8th grade)
September & October
Nature’s Energy: Ethanol Production
Did you know that corn can be used as fuel? Students will learn about the conversion from
corn to fuel as well as what the future holds for the use of ethanol fuel! Program includes a
sequencing activity for students. Duration: 45 minutes
November & December
Machinery: Simple or Complex
Students will learn about the difference between simple and complex
machines and how they are used on the farm. Students will also do a
hands on activity to learn about lubricants and friction on machinery.
Duration: 45 minutes
Thanksgiving Feast!
Students will learn how their Thanksgiving meal starts on the farm, goes to the grocery
store, and finally ends up on their dinner tables. Program includes a discussion about
world geography and crops grown in different parts of the world. For a treat, students
will make pumpkin pie in a bag! Duration: 45 minutes
GRANTS AVAILABLE TO TEACHERS!
The Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom Program, the IAA Foundation, and the Illinois Farm Bureau are
pleased to announce their 2015-2016 Classroom grants. Grants are available for up to $250 for classroom
projects related to agriculture education for all teachers. Additionally, four different book grants are
available to teachers who would like to add books related to agriculture to their classroom curriculum.
These grants cover up to $200 for the purchase of specific book titles. Teachers are urged to contact their
local agriculture literacy coordinator for ideas and assistance in applying for their grant. Grant
applications can be found at www.agintheclassroom.org, under Teacher Resources.
Deadline for all Applications is October 1, 2015
NEW!! Ag in the Classroom Library
This year we have updated our library, purchased books that have
been approved by Common Core, and you now you have access to
check them out throughout the year! We are very excited by this
transition and hope that we can further the agriculture education
process through the use of books. There is a full list of AITC books
on our website at winnebagoboonefarmbureau.org. You can
contact AITC at (815) 962-0653 or by email at wbfbaitc@live.com.
Please take advantage of this opportunity as we do our best to serve
you as teachers by providing adequate supplies for your classroom!
What else is offered through Ag in the Classroom?
Agri-Learning Kits:
Ag in the classroom has Agri-Learning Kits available for teachers to check out and use in their classrooms at
your leisure. These kits are best suited for students in PreK-3rd grade. Agri-Learning kits include teacher’s
guides, books, videos, visuals, and hands on activities for students. A few of the kits we have available are:
Seasons on the Farm, Pondering Pizza: A Slice of Agriculture, Getting to the Core: Apples and Orchards, and
many more!
mAGic Kits:
Ag in the Classroom has mAGic kits available for teachers to check out and use in their classrooms. These kits
are best suited for students in 4th-8th grade. mAGic Kits include lesson plans and supplies for activities and
exercises. The activities included are: mapping, graphing, sequencing, reading, writing, critical thinking,
experimenting, and research. A few of the kits we have available are: Poultry, Machines, Illinois, Insects, Dairy
and more!
Career Fairs:
Ag in the classroom is available to participate in career day activities. Agricultural careers are a growing sector
in the marketplace. There is so much more to agriculture than farming and we need YOU to work with us to
encourage students to consider a career in the Ag industry!
Teacher Institute Days:
Ag in the classroom is available to come to your school for institute day programs. A staff member will come
equipped to demonstrate the resources we provide, explain how to incorporate them in your classrooms, and
give teachers “hands-on” activities!
Check out our Website!!!
Over the summer we have revamped our website to fit your needs! We added a teacher
resource page that includes lists detailing kits that are available to check out, our fresh list of
library books, a brochure about seasonal classroom programs, and a program request form, all
at the tips of your fingers! We will also continue to update the Ag in the Classroom page with
programs, pictures, and useful information to you. We encourage everyone to check out our
website: winnebagoboonefarmbureau.org.