This artifact is a lesson plan for one class period of Intro to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources. It appears on the fourth day of the “Science of Agriculture” unit and is designed for 9th-grade students who have not yet selected a pathway. This lesson provides an opportunity for Career Development Event preparation in the classroom that is still relevant for all students.
When I created this lesson originally, my assessment did not require students to include anything about the year’s Ag Biotechnology CDE theme on their timeline. However, I realized that this would be a quick change to the lesson that exposed students to this CDE while still covering standard AFNR.HS.20.7.a. This ensures alignment with ACTE Standard 10.b. Learners who are highly interested in biotechnology can expand on the knowledge they gain in the classroom through the Ag Biotechnology CDE. The content will still be standards-based for the remaining students who choose not to participate in the CDE.
This artifact shows how technical knowledge and skills required for CTSO competitive events can be acquired in the classroom. However, it is important to ensure that the course content is still standards-based so that learners are reaching course outcomes, not contest outcomes.
My lesson plan for this day shows my ability to seamlessly integrate CTSOs into lesson plans without distracting from the lesson. In this way, I can make contest preparation easier because students will learn some of the knowledge needed in the classroom. Going forward, I need to continue seeking opportunities to integrate CTSOs into my lessons in this way so that my students are prepared for success both in and out of the classroom.