Conference Highlights - 2014
Conference Workshops
October 16-18, 2014
Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley
Santa Cruz, California
Friday, Oct. 17, 2014
1. Critter Convention
Grades: K-5
Presenter: Robin Satnick, Crane Country Day School
Description: School gardens are bustling with wildlife! In this workshop, learn how to create a living laboratory of garden critters in your classroom. Using engaging and educational hands-on activities, your students will learn about critters by comparing and contrasting body parts, life cycles, niches, and behaviors. All activities require little set-up and can be easily adapted for students in grades K-5.
2. Farm Academy Live
Grades: K-5
Presenter: Haley Hanse, Farm Academy Teacher/Coordinator
Description: Learn about Farm Academy, an interactive video conferencing program, and how their lessons are beneficial for teachers and students alike. Courses meet California Common Core standards using the latest distance learning technology. Live, virtual field trips to the farm and hands-on activities make Farm Academy a true catch.
3. Free Nutrition Lessons Aligned to the Common Core State Standards
Grades: K-8
Presenters: Leslie Pring and Valerie Fung-A-Ling, Dairy Council of California
Description: Teachers can easily build knowledge across all grade levels through the subject of nutrition—a topic that en-gages students! Dairy Council of California's free lessons increase reading and writing complexity with each grade level. Learn how to reinforce concepts through cross-curricular activities and technology, practicing English Language Arts standards by explaining and analyzing informational text, and writing non-fiction using evidence-based answers to inform and explain.
4. What Makes Organic, Organic?
Grades: 7-12
Presenter: Jessica Beckett, California Certified Organic Farmers, and Dana Crompton, California Grower Certification Specialist
Description: This workshop will answer the question, "What is organic agriculture?" and describe how and why farmers, ranchers, and food processors become certified to the United States Department of Food and Agriculture (USDA) organic standard. It will also describe the primary tenets of organic agriculture and provide resourc-es and materials for teachers.
Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014
1. The Next Generation Science Standards and Project-Based Learning
Grades: 4-8
Presenter: Browning Neddeau, M.A., Ed.D.
Description: Project Learning Tree (PLT) is a national, award-winning environmental education program for grades preK-12. In this workshop, engage in some of PLT's lessons for grades 4-8. Leave the workshop with lesson
ideas that you can implement on the next school day!
2. The Joys of Cooking in the Classroom
Grades: K-6
Presenter: Lori Cleveland, Monte Vista Elementary School
Description: Cooking in the classroom is educational, fun, and rewarding. Making culinary creations provides a way to connect math, language arts, geography, and science all at once. Cooking projects are naturally aligned to the common core standards, and encourage critical thinking skills. Using basic materials it is possible to create dishes that students will enjoy making, eating, and trying at home. Get hands-on experience making a recipe, and receive a packet outlining the steps to host a successful cooking experience.
3. Agriculture in the Classroom Resources in an Afterschool Setting
Grades: 3-5
Presenter: Jennifer Stone, Isabelle Jackson Elementary
Description: Learn ways to utilize, adapt, and modify CFAITC resources for use in a variety of afterschool settings. Use STEM topics to challenge, enrich, and accelerate students in the elementary setting in a fun, hands-on environment. Critical and creative thinking, science vocabulary, public speaking, cooperative learning, and preparation for middle school math and science will also be explored. Educators who work with students in any form of afterschool setting are encouraged to attend.
4. Design Ideas for a Fun, Successful Instructional School Garden
Grades: K-6
Presenter: John Fisher, Life Lab
Description: School gardens can range from inspirational outdoor classrooms to neglected corners of a school campus. Smart design, adding interpretive displays, and including whimsical effects can go a long way to creating sites that engage students and teachers. Whether you are just starting out or looking to expand your garden, this workshop will leave you with a list of ideas to enhance your site.