Lesson 4: Crop Production
This is Lesson 4 of 6 in a National FFA crop production unit. Through three hands-on activities—a paper-slide video on a state crop, a GMO worksheet/PSA, and a MyPlate recipe-card exercise—students learn how crops are produced, what genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are and how they are used, and the role of crop consumption in everyday nutrition. The resource includes student activity worksheets, rubrics, and answer keys.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
-
- Examine how crops are produced.
- Describe genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
- Examine the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
- Describe the role of crop consumption in everyday nutrition.
- Time required
- 180 minutes
- Materials
-
- A copy of the "Growing the Future" worksheet for each student
- A copy of the "Public Service Announcement" worksheet for each student
- A copy of the "The Science Behind My Food …" worksheet for each student
- A copy of the "Crops and Me" worksheet for each student
- Internet access to play the video in real time or embed it in a PowerPoint ahead of time
- Internet access for students
- Colored pencils, markers or pens
- White paper
- A device to record on (ex. phone, tablet, etc.)
- Resources
- AgExplorer (https://agexplorer.ffa.org/); "How to Make a Paper Slideshow" (https://youtu.be/E5RXynA_D3I); Michigan State University: GMO 101 (https://msutoday.msu.edu/feature/2018/gmos-101/); Purdue University: What are GMOs? (https://youtu.be/QiHreVTjS58); Public Service Announcement: Stop Smoking (https://youtu.be/7LkuSm9kUEI); USDA State Facts (https://www.ers.usda.gov/StateFacts/)
- This Quick Lesson Plan Would Work Well As
- 1. A plant science lesson. 2. An introduction to crop production. 3. A biotechnology lesson.
- Created
- 07/2019 by the National FFA Organization
Downloads & Links
Aligned Standards
AFNR Career Ready Practices
- CRP.02Apply appropriate academic and technical skills. Career-ready individuals readily access and use the knowledge and skills acquired through experience and education to be more productive.
- 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.
- CRP.05Consider the environmental, social and economic impact of decisions.
- CRP.06Demonstrate creativity and innovation.
- CRP.07Employ valid and reliable research strategies. Career-ready individuals are discerning in accepting and using new information to make decisions, change practices or inform strategies.
- CRP.08Utilize critical thinking to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Career-ready individuals readily recognize problems in the workplace, understand the nature of the problem, and devise effective plans to solve the problem.
- CRP.11Use technology to enhance productivity. Career-ready individuals find and maximize the productive value of existing and new technology to accomplish workplace tasks and solve workplace problems.
AFNR Performance Element
- BS.01NCAE Standard: Assess factors that have influenced the evolution of biotechnology in agriculture (e.g., historical events, societal trends, ethical and legal implications, etc.).
- CS.01Analyze how issues, trends, technologies and public policies impact systems in the agriculture, food & natural resources career cluster.
Common Career Technical Core
- AG1Analyze how issues, trends, technologies and public policies impact systems in the Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Career Cluster.
Common Core – Math Practices
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.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.9-10.4Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language of a court opinion differs from that of a newspaper).
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.9-10.8Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is valid and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; identify false statements and fallacious reasoning.
Common Core – Science & Technical Subjects
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.8Assess the extent to which the reasoning and evidence in a text support the author's claim or a recommendation for solving a scientific or technical problem.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.9Compare and contrast findings presented in a text to those from other sources (including their own experiments), noting when the findings support or contradict previous explanations or accounts.
Common Core – Speaking and Listening
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.1Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.2Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source.
- 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.
FFA Precept
- FFA-CS-M.CommunicationEffectively interact with others in personal and professional settings.
- FFA.PG-I.Professional GrowthAssume responsibility for attaining and improving upon the skills needed for career success.
- FFA.PG-J.Mental GrowthEmbrace cognitive and intellectual development relative to reasoning, thinking and coping.
- 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-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.
NASDCTEc
- AGC10.03Compare and contrast issues affecting the AFNR industry including biotechnology, employment, safety, environmental and animal welfare to demonstrate an understanding of the trends and issues important to careers in this industry.
- AGC10.04Envision emerging technology and globalization and project its influence on widespread markets to demonstrate an understanding of technologies and trends that will impact the AFNR industry.
Next Generation Science
- HS-ETS1-3Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.