All About Chocolate
“All About Chocolate” is a 50-minute FFA lesson plan that uses an article on climate change and cocoa production to teach students about the water cycle. Students read and analyze the article, draw and label the water cycle, complete a worksheet, and develop a speech on a “hot topic” in agriculture. It includes a student worksheet, answer key, and speech rubric, and fits within agriscience, food science, or plant science units.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
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- Examine the effect of the water cycle on cocoa production.
- Illustrate the water cycle.
- Develop a speech about the effects of the water cycle and climate change on cocoa production.
- Time required
- 50 minutes
- Grade level
- 9-10
- Materials
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- A copy of the "Is Stress Good for Chocolate?" worksheet for each student
- Internet access to the article or copies of the article for each student
- Appendix 1 — "Hot Topic" in Agriculture Speech
- Resources
- 1. FFA.org; 2. Article: "Could Climate Change Lead to Tastier Chocolate?" https://modernfarmer.com/2017/12/climate-change-lead-tastier-chocolate/; 3. Website: "What is Climate Change?" https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/stories/nasa-knows/what-is-climate-change-k4.html; 4. Website: "The Water Cycle," https://pmm.nasa.gov/education/water-cycle
- This Quick Lesson Plan Would Work Well As Part Of
- 1. An agriscience lesson/unit. 2. A food science lesson/unit. 3. A plant science lesson/unit.
- Partnership for 21st Century Skills
- Communication; Information, Communications, and Technology Literacy; Initiative and Self-direction; Leadership and Responsibility
Downloads & Links
Aligned Standards
AFNR Career Ready Practices
- CRP.04Communicate clearly, effectively, and with reason. Career-ready individuals communicate thoughts, ideas and action plans with clarity, whether using written, verbal and/or visual methods.
Common Core – Reading: Informational Text
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.9-10.2Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
Common Core – Speaking and Listening
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.4Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and task.
Common Core – Writing
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.2Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.4Produce clear and coherent writing the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
FFA Precept
- FFA-CS-M.CommunicationEffectively interact with others in personal and professional settings.
- FFA.CS-O.Flexibility/AdaptabilityBe flexible in various situations and adapt to change.
- FFA.PL-A.ActionAssume responsibility and take the necessary steps to achieve the desired results, no matter what the goal or task at hand.
- FFA.PL-C.VisionVisualize the future and how to get there.
- FFA.PL-D.CharacterConduct oneself appropriately in relation to others regardless of the situation.
- FFA.PL-E.AwarenessUnderstand personal vision, mission and goals.
- FFA.PL-F.Continuous ImprovementAccept responsibility for learning and personal growth.
FFA Precepts
- FFA.CS-N.Decision MakingAnalyze a situation and execute an appropriate course of action.