December 2004
1. What's Growin' On? California Feeds the World
While supplies last, request a free classroom set of last year's What's Growin' On? California Feeds the World educational newspaper. Bundled in groups of 30, this edition explores California agriculture at the fourth through eighth grade level. Topics include food safety, food origins, agriculture and technology, plus much more. Content standards are incorporated. Supplies are limited, so make your request soon! The third edition of the newspaper, What's Growin' On? California's Colorful Bounty, will be available this spring. Watch for announcements.
2. Food Safety from Farm to Fork
This teacher guide provides fifth through seventh graders a better understanding of food safety through real-life examples and enjoyable activities. Students will learn that everyone has a responsibility in minimizing foodborne illnesses -- farmers, transporters, restaurants, grocery stores... and the consumer! Through reading, games, puzzles, math problems and science investigations, participants identify the roles each one of us plays to ensure the food we enjoy is safe to eat.
Download this 16-page booklet from www.cfaitc.org or request a printed version by calling 800/700-AITC (2482) or e-mailing cfaitc@cfaitc.org.
3. Imagine this... Story Writing Contest - Regional Winners!
The 2004-2005 regional winners have been selected in the Foundation's story writing contest for grades 3-8. This year, 48 regional winners from 20 California counties are now vying for top statewide honors. The list of regional winners is available at the end of this message and on the CFAITC Web site. Statewide winners will be announced after the first of the year. Congratulations young authors!
4. CFAITC Web site: Looking Forward to 2005
This past year has brought a lot of changes, additions and updates to the Foundation's Web site. The new Kids' Corner was launched with games, recipes and links to other sites. For the first time California AITC Conference participants were able to sign-up for tours online, and this e-newsletter, Current News, experienced a re-design. CFAITC.ORG welcomed over 60,000 visitors in 2004--that's over 750,000 hits! Next year we look forward to adding even more great content to the Kids' Corner, making conference registration even easier, and providing resources to even more visitors.
How has the Web site affected your life this past year? What could be done to make it better? Let our Web site coordinator know at rhyatt@cfaitc.org.
5. The Stewardship of Water in Art and Agriculture
Workshop: Jan. 29-30, 2005, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Registration deadline: Jan. 15, 2004
The Central Coast Center for Arts Education's Agricultural Literacy and the Arts Project has scheduled this two-day workshop to explore how artists across the centuries have conveyed the importance of water to agriculture through visual arts, music, theatre and literature. It will also explore ways to teach about water in the classroom using content standards addressing science, agriculture, and the visual and performing arts. Intriguing hands-on activities will be transferable to classroom settings. Registration is $40 plus $20 for mid-day meals. Call 805/756-2935 for details.
6. Fifth Graders: Celebrate Arbor Day 2005
Deadline: Mar. 1, 2005
"Trees are Terrific... and Energy Wise!" is the theme for this year's contest. Free curriculum kits explaining the contest are available to fifth grade teachers and parents. Each school or group selects one poster to submit to the statewide contest. One winner will be forwarded to the National Arbor Day Foundation for final judging. That winner receives a $1,000 savings bond and other prizes.
For more information and to request a kit, contact Kay Antunez 916/653-7958 or visit www.arborday.org.
7. Forestry Institute for Teachers (FIT)
Application deadline: Mar. 15, 2005
It's not too early to plan for the summer! These week-long workshops provide participants with Forestry curriculum resources guides, Project Learning Tree and Project Aquatic WILD training, and a $100 stipend, plus housing, meals and curriculum materials.
In 2005, three institutes will be offered:
For more information, visit www.forestryinstitute.org or call 800/738-8733.
Imagine this... Story Writing Contest - Regional Winners
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