Ag Essay Contest
Indiana students in grades 4-12 are encouraged to “chew on” the impact of Indiana foods and farmers for the 2nd Annual Ag Essay Contest titled “Our Food, Our Farmers: Feeding the World.” This year’s contest explores Indiana’s role as a global agricultural leader.

Sponsored by Indiana’s Family of Farmers and Indiana Humanities, the essay contest encourages students to recognize and share all the ways Indiana agriculture plays a positive role in their own lives –as well as in the lives of those around them. The essay competition includes three grade levels: 4-6; 7-9 and 10-12. Entries must be received by Feb. 1, 2012.

View the state standards tied to this exercise. Learn more.

Grade Level/Essay Theme:
Grades 4-6: What is the World Food Prize? Profile either of the two Indiana winners and describe why their work is important.

Grades 7-9: Indiana is a national leader in the production of many of the crops, livestock and food products that the world consumes. How does this benefit our state?

Grades 10-12: How do Indiana farmers, companies and researchers play a role in making food products better for consumers?

Super Learning Opportunities
Indiana teachers have a variety of tools at their disposal to create lesson plans and activities wrapped around Super Bowl 2012 in Indianapolis that promote literacy, health and fitness, environmental awareness, community service, character education and interdisciplinary learning.

Here are just a few:
Super Learning in a Super State. Accredited teachers have created lesson plans and activities that are customized for Indiana standards and our students, meet national standards and promote interdisciplinary learning. Learn more.

For example, some student objectives for a lesson plan called "Honor for Honor" include:
• Explore the concept of honor by reading a short biography of the two men: Jim Thorpe (acclaimed Olympian and athlete) and Robert W. Wheeler (inspirational speaker, author and former head of public relations for ABC’s Wide World of Sports)
• Be able to analyze information as they explore athlete Jim Thorpe’s contribution to the world of sports and how he paved the way in spite of adversity, racism and illegal sanctions yet still exemplified honor
• Be able to read primary and secondary resource documents to analyze and synthesize relevant information for a defined purpose
• Understand the research process as they research a topic and develop an I-search paper.

Teachers can use lesson plans like these to augment their current activities, to pepper in exciting, new activities or to challenge students to think a little differently about how social studies, math, science and language arts are used in the real world. A television and media component contains role model documentaries that broadcast the importance of lifelong learning, good citizenship and giving back to your community. Endorsed by educators all over the country, this unique, customized content satisfies critical educational standards and goals. It’s also exciting, engaging and directly tied to what’s on nearly everyone’s mind in Indiana – the Super Bowl!

After registering for the Super Learning in a Super State program, teachers will receive these free curriculum guides and can use one activity or hundreds of activities throughout the year.

Register here and download the free lesson plans to participate in Super Learning in a Super State.

One World: Connecting Communities, Cultures and Classrooms. Another opportunity specifically for 4th-6th grade teachers is the One World: Connecting Communities, Cultures and Classrooms program. An Indianapolis Super Bowl Edition of the nationally acclaimed program has been designed by the NFL and Scholastic. The program encourages respect and strengthens connections among students from diverse communities, while teaching youth to recognize that the choices they make about themselves and others can, and do, make a difference in the world. Learn more.

Super Kids, Super Welcome. Indiana kids can help welcome Super Bowl visitors to the Hoosier state by completing a Super Kids, Super Welcome card. Teachers, camp counselors, after-school program directors, youth educators and parents can download the card and accompanying instructions from the official Super Bowl Host Committee website. Indiana Humanities is a partner in this activity -- help us fill 18,000 hotel rooms with welcome cards!

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Professional Development Opportunities

America in Class: Online Seminars from the National Humanities Center

What:
Professional development seminars that seek to improve teacher content knowledge, promote discussion-based instruction, and provide fresh material for use with students.

Topics/Dates:
Feb. 2: The Role of Medical Care in the Civil War: The Hospital and the Battlefield
April 12: Teaching Catcher in the Rye: Holden Caulfield and Adolescent Rebellion
April 19: Nation, Race and Genocide: Terror in the 20th Century
April 24 & 26: Using Art in History and Literature Classes: What's the Story? Parts 1 & 2
May 16: Spain and its North American Empire in the Eighteenth Century: The Other Revolution

Cost: $35
More info: Visit americainclass.org/seminars/

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News

Educational materials have been designed in conjunction with the Savor Indiana TV show. Teachers may download a version of each show, from which the commercials and that weeks' alcohol segment have been removed. These materials are designed to teach to the ISTEP+ standards, and use real-life examples from the show to teach science, math, social studies and language arts. Different levels of materials are available for teachers in grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.

The first Savor Indiana episode focuses on Madison, on the Ohio River. Segments include information on Madison's history and fun activities for families with children, Community Supported Agriculture, the Whitehall Bed & Breakfast - a part of the Union Army Hospital during the Civil War, learning how to bake bread at the 605 Grille, the Thomas Family Winery, Madison artisans Folk Art by May and Cocoa Safari Chocolates, and the Key West Shrimp House.

Following the episode about Madison, Savor Indiana will profile Noble County, Switzerland County, Randolph County, Henry County, Tippecanoe County, Bartholomew County, and Grant County.

View the curriculum materials.