Payden Criswell – Catawba Worm Farming SAE
“Wrangling With Worms” is a National FFA lesson plan in which students follow FFA member Payden Criswell through a typical day in his Catawba worm farming SAE via video, then explore integrated pest management (IPM) by reading an article and applying IPM principles to two pest-management scenarios. Through worksheets and discussion, students examine SAE components, identify the parts of an IPM plan, and research a pest problem to create a brief management plan.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
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- Examine the components of a Catawba worm farming SAE.
- Identify the components of an integrated pest management plan.
- Research a pest problem and create a brief management plan.
- Time required
- 50 minutes (*Time requirements may vary based upon student understanding and class schedule.)
- Grade level
- Grades 9 and 10
- Materials
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- A copy of the "Wrangling With Worms" worksheet for each student
- A copy of the article "Integrated Pest Management (IPM)" for each student
- A copy of the "Bugging Out" worksheet for each student
- Internet access to play the video in real time or embed it in a PowerPoint ahead of time
- Description of Lesson
- Follow Payden Criswell as he walks through a typical day in his Catawba worm farming SAE. Then explore the world of integrated pest management through a few quick scenarios.
- Vocabulary
- Action Threshold; Biological Controls; Chemical Controls; Cultural Controls; Integrated Pest Management; Mechanical/Physical Controls; Pest
- Cross-Curricular Connections
- Science: Use the logic/science-based process of integrated pest management to construct a pest management plan. English/Language Arts: Read a text and use it to identify components within a given scenario; Synthesize new information.
- Virtual Instruction Ideas
- Instructor may post the student activity sheets to an LMS. Students may access the SAE video on their own devices to complete.
- Resources/References
- Video: "Catawba Worms SAE | Payden Criswell" (https://vimeo.com/857912603); EPA – Integrated Pest Management; Penn State Extension – Steps of IPM; USDA – Integrated Pest Management; University of California ANR – Statewide IPM Program
Downloads & Links
Lesson plan
Other
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.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.
AFNR Cluster Skills
- CS.05Describe career opportunities and means to achieve those opportunities in each of the Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources career pathways.
AFNR Performance Element
- PS.01Develop and implement crop management plan for a given production goal that accounts for environmental factors.
Common Career Technical Core
- AG5Describe career opportunities and means to achieve those opportunities in each of the Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Career Pathways.
Common Core – Literacy in Science & Technical Subjects: Writing
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9.10.1Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9.10.4Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Common Core – Math Practices
- CCSS.Math.Practice.MP1Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
- CCSS.Math.Practice.MP2Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
- CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP3Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
Common Core – Reading: Informational 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).
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.
Common Core – Writing
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.1Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
- 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.
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-C.VisionVisualize the future and how to get there.
- 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.