Are you home with kids while the coronavirus pandemic rages on? I’m in the same boat. While we practice social distancing, this work-from-home mom is trying to navigate new waters — home-schooling, babysitting and entertaining my busy brood of three under age 6 while keeping my sanity.
How did the first weeks go? Well, to be honest, not great! However, I’m not throwing in the white towel of surrender yet! Scouring the internet, I’ve found some ideas that might be helpful to all the newly-minted home-school parents!
National Ag Week was March 22-28, and while many of us us traditionally visit schools and promote agricultural literacy in the classroom.
Unfortunately, National Ag Week looked a little bit different this year; schools are closed; kids are at home; and parents are left scrambling trying to find activities to keep their little ones busy and engaged.
If you, too, are social distancing right now with your family, here are some agriculturally accurate lesson plans and educational materials for your reference:
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Agriculture Council of America offers ideas for daily activities.
Each day, the ACA offers some ideas for promoting agricultural literacy all week. While some aren’t relevant this year (volunteering at school or throwing a cook-off party with friends), others are perfect to get your older kids engaged.
Consider having your middle and high school students research an agricultural issue that is affecting the region and writing an essay on it. Then, teach your kids how to contact their elected officials to discuss these important issues. Get them engaged in policy issues! Share their findings on social media with a coordinating picture or video.
Check out the ideas from ACA by checking out www.agday.org.
Ranch House Designs has free ag fact printables.
The moms at Ranch House Designs have created 15 free printable designed for elementary and preschool-age kids that focus on livestock production, including cattle, horses and pigs.
Sign up to receive the free printable activities at www.ranchhousedesigns.org.
National Ag In The Classroom has a wealth of information available.
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You can count on NAITC to bring agricultural education to the next level! With free games, activities and my favorite, virtual farm tours. There’s plenty of resources to keep your kids engaged this week and beyond.
Check out what’s available at www.agclassroom.org .
American Farm Bureau Foundation has every ag topic covered.
Dive into these agriculturally-accurate materials, endorsed books and more! The lesson plans, in particular, are pretty great! Choose your topic, grade level, learning scenario and more to customize exactly what you’re looking for.
Check it out at www.agfoundation.org .
Story-time with Amanda Radke has begun!
Finally, I will be recording the narration of all of my children’s books, including “Levi’s Lost Calf,” “Can-Do Cowkids” and “A Home Run For Peanuts” to be posted on social media in the days to come. Follow me on my public Facebook page, Speaker Amanda Radke , to tune in, and please, share the videos on your own pages to help spread the word!
Good luck to all you parents out there! I hope these agriculturally accurate activities help keep your kids busy, engaged and excited to learn more about where their food comes from!
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Radke raises Limousin and Maine Anjou cattle alongside her husband Tyler, and she's the author of the children's books, "Levi's Lost Calf" and “Can-Do Cowkids.” Follow her on Facebook at @RadkeCattleCo.
