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National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix Rubric for Lesson Plans
Lesson plans submitted to the National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix need to address the following criteria. Full units (that included multiple lessons) of instruction are not eligible for submission, although they can be separated and submitted as individual lesson plans.
Required/Requested Information / Supporting Information / Yes/No orPoints / Comments
Lesson Plan Title
Required Response / Title is reflective of the content. (Yes = 1 point /No = 0 points)
Grade Levels
Required Response / Early Elementary K-2, Upper Elementary 3-5, Middle School 6-8, High School 9-12.(Yes/No, grade level was inappropriate, Yes = 1 point /No = 0 points))
National Agricultural Literacy Outcomes (NALOs)
Required Response / Please select from the following list the National Agricultural Literacy Outcome(s) (NALOs) which are met through the objectives of this lesson plan.(Yes/No lesson did not match standard/Yes, with modification that can be made, Yes = 1 point /No = 0 points)
Content Standards
Required Response / Select from the following national education standards within Social Studies (National Council for Social Studies/NCSS, Economics, K-4 History Standards, 5-12 History Standards, 5-12 World History Standards, 12th AP Geography), Science (Next Generation Science Standards), Health (National Health Education Standards, specifically the standards related to nutrition) which meet the Agricultural Literacy Outcomes.(Yes/No lesson did not match standard/Yes, with modification that can be made, Yes = 1 point /No = 0 points)
Common Core Standards
Required Response / Select from the following Anchor Standards and Indicators English/ Math. Lesson plans must meet at least one Common Core standard in either math or reading to be accepted, meeting more than one standard is strongly recommended. (Yes/No lesson did not match standard/Yes, with modification that can be made, Yes = 1 point /No = 0 points))
Educational Objectives
Required Response / Please select the national education objectives met by the lesson plan. These objectives should be reflected in the essential questions noted in the assessment section.(Yes = 1 point /No = 0 points)
Common Core Connections
Required Response / Select from the following Anchor Standards and Indicators English/Math. Lesson plans must meet at least one Common Core standard in either math or reading to be accepted, meeting more than one standard is strongly recommended.(Yes = 1 point /No = 0 points)
Keywords
Required Response / List the keywords associated with the lesson plan. These words will be used to help users search for lesson plans on your topic. For example, if your lesson plan teaches about natural resources through gardening some of the keywords may be: natural resources, soil, water, environment, sustainability, renewable resource, garden.(Yes = 1 point /No = 0 points)
Lesson Usability
Required Response / Is this lesson state specific, usable in a region, or applicable nationwide? (Yes = 1 point /No = 0 points)
Purpose
Required Response / Brief description of the lesson plan. (Yes adequate/No inadequate requires more detail: 0-5 points)
Time
Required Response / Estimate the amount of class time necessary to complete the lesson. (Yes, this is appropriate?/No needs or has been modified: 0-5 points)
Materials
Required Response / Make a complete list of the materials necessary to complete this lesson plan. Use the green plus button to add each item. If you have a categorical item, such as “Various Art Supplies” list this as one item with examples in parenthesis. (e.g., Various Art Supplies: scissors, glue, rulers, paint, tape, markers, etc.). Be sure to list accompanying essential worksheets or websites on the material list. (Yes, this is appropriate?/No needs or has been modified: 0-5 points)
Vocabulary
Required Response / Submit the vocabulary words and an appropriate definition. (Yes, this is appropriate?/No needs or has been modified: 0-5 points)
Exemplary (5): Appropriate words for the lesson and grade level have been included in the vocabulary list.
Adequate (3): Some appropriate words for the lesson and grade level have been included in the vocabulary list.
Unacceptable (0): Few or inappropriate words have been selected for inclusion in the vocabulary list.
Interest Approach or Motivator
Required Response / Write the interest approach for this lesson plan. You may start with a question or discuss and artifact. Including an interest approach at the beginning of a lesson makes a difference in student engagement throughout the lesson.
Exemplary (5): Approach is grade level appropriate, interesting, insightful, cleaver, creative and related to the topic or purpose of the lesson.
Adequate (3): Approach is somewhat interesting and related to the topic or purpose of the lesson.
Unacceptable (0): Approach is trite and/or not grade appropriate.
Background—Agricultural Connections (Should align with NALOs selected for this lesson)
Required Response / Briefly provide users with background information necessary to successfully execute this lesson. The background should contextualize the content linking the topic (i.e., soil texture) to agriculture (i.e., farmers need to know this information to determine the type of crop and or irrigation that should be used). Connections as to how agricultural content links to our overall quality of life and our environment should be explicit, meaningful, and relevant.[Limited to 10,000 characters with spaces]
The background is accurate and grade-appropriate information.
Exemplary (5): The background includes essential background to content area, the background links to agricultural concepts, the background notes how student are impacted by the concepts and agricultural links.
Adequate (3): The background includes two of the three items noted above.
Unacceptable (0): The background is insufficient to successfully execute the lesson.
Procedures
Required Response / Outline the instructional procedures that allow students to engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and/or demonstrate (evaluate) their understanding of the content. You may include more than one activity in this section, but please note additional activities with a new heading and by adding a number (i.e., Activity 2). If the procedures require images for understanding, please add the images using the "Essential Files" upload link below. In the text, note where you would like the image inserted. For example, [insert soil.jpg, below this paragraph]. The graphics will be added to the correct portion of the lesson plan during the review process.
Clearly outline the procedures to successfully execute the lesson. More than one activity may be included in each lesson, but units of instruction are not acceptable. Begin a new activity on a new link in the text. Each submitted lesson must stand on its own, and not require that another lesson be taught prior.
The lesson engages students in authentic and meaningful activities to contextualize content standards with agricultural examples. Provides opportunities for students to express, clarify, justify, interpret and/or represent their ideas. The lesson supports differentiated approaches to learning.
Exemplary (5): Procedures are well written. Educators can easily follow the steps of the outlined activity.
Adequate (3): Procedures are present, but lack clarity requiring some inference.
Unacceptable (0): The procedures cannot be followed as written.
Essential Files (maps, charts, pictures, or documents) / Any essential illustrations or content that cannot be uploaded as text (i.e., maps, line art, illustrations, photographs, etc.) may be uploaded as a docx, PDF, JPG, or PNG. This content MUST be essential to the lesson. Additional content can be shared and uploaded as a companion resource. All uploaded files must use a standard Arial-type font and must be sized appropriately for the submitted grade level.(Yes/None needed = 1 point /No but needed = 0 points)
Essential Links / Name of necessary websites and the URL to successfully execute the lesson.(Yes/None needed = 1 point /No but needed = 0 points)
Did you know? (Ag Facts) / Please list any interesting agricultural facts (one per line) that enhance or can be used as an interest approach to the lesson (i.e., White eggs and brown eggs are equal in terms of nutrition; a dairy cow produces nearly 8 gallons of milk per day; etc.)(Yes/None needed = 1 point /No but needed = 0 points)
Enriching Activities / Enriching activities to lesson plans are optional. Activities which help the learner achieve the outcomes should not be listed as enriching activities, but should be part of the lesson (you can have multiple activities to meet the NALOs and standards). Enriching activities should be brief ideas that enhance or deepen the understanding of objectives for the teacher to extend the activity or topic on their own.
Exemplary (5): Extension activities are meaningful and well written. Educators can easily understand the activity.
Adequate (3): Extension activities are somewhat meaningful and educators understand the intent.
Unacceptable (0): Extension activities are irrelevant.
Sources/Credits / If this lesson plan is adapted (even with permission) or taken directly from another writer, developer, or educator you must list the original source. Additionally, please include source/credit for included graphics and statistical information in the lesson plan. Direct quotations should be cited within the text.
Total Points: _____/47
_____Accept _____Return for Modifications _____Reject for Major Revisions _____Reject as Duplication
Additional Comments: