Grade 4 students at Columbia School were among students in 161 classrooms to take part in the launch of a new school resource as part of Agriculture Literacy Week in Saskatchewan.
The classrooms were visited Wednesday by presenters reading 鈥楾he Adventures of Michael & Mia: Stewards of the Land鈥� a new book geared toward teaching students more about where their food comes from.
鈥淲e eat every day,鈥� reader Joelle Carlson, an agrologist from Melville told the students.
Carlson pointed to a large 365 she had placed on the chalkboard, and told the students we eat every day of the year 鈥渂ecause we need food to fuel our bodies.鈥�
Carlson then asked, 鈥淓very day we eat what should we think about?鈥�
The answer was farmers.
Referring to the book, and how it ties into food production, Carlson said, 鈥渟ee how everybody is connect to agriculture in this room,鈥� although not one student lived on a farm.
鈥淪o 365 days-a-year, lets thank the farmers,鈥� she said.
After reading to the first class of the day, Carlson was asked why she volunteered as a reader.
鈥淏ecause I have five children,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 important today to teach children about agriculture.鈥�
Carlson said to teach the importance of farming to students you have to make them see how it is important to them/
鈥淓verybody is connected to agriculture,鈥� she reiterated.鈥� Kids are connected to agriculture, you just have to show them that.鈥�
Classroom teach Kendal Hack said the book and the presentation kept her students interested.
鈥淚t was very engaging,鈥� she said.
While the book, by author Edward Willet and illustrated by Val Lawton, touched on some technical aspects of agriculture, from the use of global positioning systems for precision farming, to how a riparian area protects natural water ways, Hack said the book brings such concepts back to things young students can grasp. She added Grade 4 is an age when young people are looking to learn new things, so they welcome new concepts well.
鈥淭hey brought it back down to their level,鈥� she said.
Agricultural education is also part of the Grade 4 curriculum, noted Hack, who said young people do need to learn the source of their food, so incorporating it into the classroom makes sense.
In the case of her class, students attended the Grain Millers Harvest Showdown in Yorkton in November for some hands on experience with farming, and now the classroom reading, which will serve as a springboard into more classroom education until the end of the school year.
Agriculture Literacy Week was March 1 to 7 in the province.
鈥淎griculture Literacy Week is an opportunity for us to teach our youth about agriculture and food production,鈥� Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart said in a release at the time of the proclamation.聽 鈥淢any of today鈥檚 students grow up disconnected from farms and agriculture. This week provides them with an opportunity to learn about our industry in a fun, interactive way.鈥�
鈥淭he Ministry of Education is proud to be supporting Agriculture Literacy Week, as it鈥檚 another innovative way to engage our students in their learning,鈥� Education Minister Don Morgan said in the joint release. 鈥淭his is an excellent way to encourage the literacy skills of our students while also promoting one of Saskatchewan鈥檚 most important industries.鈥�
During Agriculture Literacy Week, producers and other members of the agriculture industry gathered in classrooms across the province to read agriculture stories and discuss their experiences in the industry. Their visits are supplemented by materials provided by Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC), such as books and videos.
鈥淎griculture plays a vital role in our lives, and it鈥檚 important that our youth understand that,鈥� AITC Executive Director Sara Shymko said in the release.聽 鈥淪tudents often learn best when they are able to connect with their subject matter.聽 By introducing them to people directly involved in the agriculture industry, we鈥檙e able to help them understand the role agriculture plays in their lives and in the world.鈥�
Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan provides innovative, curriculum-based programs and resources to help increase students鈥� awareness and understanding of agriculture.
