Building the Future of Agriculture

This instructional unit focuses on the relationship between natural resources, agricultural production, and sustainability within modern food systems. Students from grades 9-12 will explore how environmental factors such as soil, water, and climate directly influence agricultural practices and outcomes. Through reading, discussion, and analysis, students will develop a deeper understanding of how agriculture impacts both the environment and society.

TEKs Used:

 

  • 130.2(c)(3)(A): Examine the interrelationships between natural resources and agricultural production
  • 130.2(c)(5)(A): Evaluate the impact of agricultural practices on the environment and society

Goals:

The goal of this unit is to help students move beyond basic knowledge of agriculture and develop an understanding of cause-and-effect relationships within food systems. Students will learn how natural resources influence agricultural production and how agricultural decisions impact sustainability and society.

This unit also aims to strengthen students’ literacy skills in content areas by using complex texts and structured reading strategies. By the end of the unit, students will be able to analyze agricultural systems, make real-world connections, and think critically about sustainability.

 

Our Lesson and Text Used:

Under the menus below, there are descriptions of what the unit will consist of and how we got there.

Anchor Text

The Omnivore’s Dilemma: Young Readers Edition by Michael Pollan (2015). This text summarizes connections from how food is made to how it is put onto your table.

 

 

 

Text Set

This page is a list of texts that will be used throughout the course of the next two semesters. These can be used and referenced in several different units and lesson plans in the curriculum.

 

 

Before Reading Activity

This prepares students for complex reading by reducing confusion and activating prior knowledge.

 

 

 

 

During Reading Activity

Annotation helps students slow down, think critically, and engage with complex agricultural texts.

 

 

 

 

After Reading Activity

This strategy reinforces comprehension, encourages reflection, and helps identify areas of confusion.

 

 

 

 

Purpose

This website represents a complete content-area literacy plan designed to support student understanding in agricultural education. It demonstrates how high-quality texts and strategies can work together to improve comprehension, critical thinking, and real-world application.