January 2021 | Issue #112 |
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*make sure to click "View entire message" to get access to the full newsletter!* |
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Maine School Garden Network is Hiring! |
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Maine School Garden Network is hiring for a Network Coordinator position. This is a part time contract position to support and coordinate the work of the Maine School Garden Network. The Network’s mission is “to promote and support educational gardens for youth, and to encourage school programs which teach healthy eating and environmental stewardship.” Interested parties should submit resume, detailed cover letter, list of references, and writing sample to applicants.msgn@gmail.com by January 20th.
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NEW Virtual Read ME Agriculture: March 22-26, 2021
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Our 2021 Read ME Agriculture Program will have a new look!
Due to challenges of the pandemic, this year we will offer 20+ interactive virtual readings by Zoom during the week of March 22-26 in 4 fixed time slots per day.
At this time we are registering readers. If you are interested in reading please register HERE.
Readers may choose their own book, or MAITC will provide one. Deadline to sign up to be a reader is January 18th.
In February, classrooms will register. Keep your eye out for registration in the February newsletter!
We realize that some schools have readers that have readers that are within the system and may want a more traditional approach. Please contact maitc@maine.gov to arrange that or with any other questions.
[All classrooms participating will still receive a book and materials for future use via regular mail!]
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Have you used the Journey 2050 program in your classroom?
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Maine Nutrition Council Upcoming Virtual Events |
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"How Maine Feeds Our Children During the Coronavirus Pandemic"
January 21st
10am - 12pm
This virtual webinar showcases all the ways that Maine has provided meals and resources to children both at home and at school during the pandemic.
This event is free to Maine Nutrition Council members. Register for $25 to become a member and attend our other quarterly events for free.
Certificates for 2 contact hours will be provided.
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The Maine Nutrition Council is seeking presenters for their virtual conference,
Nutrition During the Pandemic: Trends and Triumphs.
The conference will take place over two days, April 6th and 7th, 2021 from 1pm-4:30pm.
We're looking for presenters to fill 1-hr. blocks during these times (including Q&A time).
Deadline for presentation proposals is January 29, 2021.
Conference Registration coming soon.
This virtual conference will have a reduced fee of $55 for general participants and $25 for students/retired, and includes 6 professional development contact hours.
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Harvest of the Month - January is Maine Potatoes! |
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Check out the great HOM materials:
for lessons, activities, books, and more!
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The 2021 Gro More Good Grassroots Grant presented by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and KidsGardening is designed to bring the life-enhancing benefits of gardens to communities across the United States. Awards provide funding for the development of new and expansion of existing youth garden programs and greenspaces serving 15 or more youth. Winners will be selected based on their commitment to the maintenance and sustainability of their garden program including plans for growth and future fiscal stability.
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Teacher Resources Section |
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Four Seasons on a Farm. Grades K-2. Students identify the characteristics of the four seasons of the year, investigate what causes seasons, and observe the affects changing seasons have on farms.
Terrariums: A Look at the Living and Nonliving World. Grades 3-5. Students will observe the interactions between living plants and other living and nonliving things in a small terrarium environment. They will also learn about farms and discuss similarities between the terrarium environment and the farm environment.
Spice-up Space Food. Grades 6-8. Students work in groups to create a flavorful and nutritious meal for astronauts to eat in space. They experience careers in food and nutrition, food science, and marketing, research different ways to preserve foods, and discover how food is taken to and eaten in space.
Double the Muscle: Probabilities and Pedigrees. Grades 9-12. This lesson allows students to apply the concept of Mendelian genetics and learn about the double muscling trait found in cattle. Students will apply their knowledge of genetics and Punnett squares to calculate the probability of genotypes and use a pedigree chart.
Outbreak Investigation- Salmonella Muenchen. Grades 9-12. Students will be challenged to uncover a real-life foodborne illness outbreak. They will take on the role of FBI (FoodBorne Illness) investigators, working together in teams to plan the steps and identify the questions needed to get to the source of the outbreak. This activity will help students develop an awareness of how public health officials approach an actual foodborne outbreak investigation.
Looking for more? Explore the Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix HERE
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Endless Options. A 30-minute activity teaching students about food allergies, reading food labels to identify allergens, and food substitutions. It can be added to any lesson on food labels, nutrition, etc.
Glo Germ Set. Demonstrate proper handwashing technique, proper surface cleaning and how to prevent the spread of germs. This kit includes a gel, lotion, or a powder which glows when exposed to a long wave UV light. This kit can be purchased from a variety of online retailers, search keyword "Glo Germ."
Show Them The Germs! This activity helps students to understand how germs are spread and how they can prevent disease by washing their hands properly.
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ReTreeUS plants orchards in schools and provides educational programs that empower people to be healthy environmental stewards.
Fuel Up to Play 60 offers educators a wide array of resources they can use to help students make sustainable changes in their school environment.
Agroworld is an agricultural science e-zine developed for the secondary educator.
KidsGardening has ideas about plants and gardens, teacher resources, and grant opportunities.
The Chop Chop magazine and website has easy and healthy recipes.
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Funding from this plate has impacted up to 200,000 students annually with lessons, materials, volunteers and teacher training. Annually up to $60K is distributed in grants to schools, FFA, 4-H and other Non-profit programs for Ag education initiatives by the Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Council.
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Donate today to The Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Association
The Non-profit, completely volunteer, portion of MAITC. These funds are used directly to support teacher scholarships and recognition, and support volunteer participation for Ag education programs. Your donation is completely tax deductible and you can make a one-time donation or a recurring monthly donation which will support the mission, "to promote the understanding of agriculture and natural resources among students, educators, and the general public." If you have any other questions or would like to join this group please contact the chairman, Maryjane Stafford. Donate Here.
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Our Mission Statement
"To promote the understanding of agriculture and natural resources among students, educators, and the general public"
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28 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
(207)287-5522
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