Try This Lesson: Fifth Grade
Fifth grade teachers:
Students will be able to observe the water cycle and how different types of seeds germinate and grow with this terrarium activity.
Tag: Ag in the Classroom
Sign Up Now: Summer Ag Institute 2026
McLean County Summer Ag Institute: June 1, 2 and 4
Sign up for this year’s Summer Ag Institute by May 15! Earn up to 22 hours of professional development with the option of one hour of graduate credit through Lindenwood University. Choose to attend one, two, or all three days of our workshop (Tuesday, June 2 is required). Scheduled tours include the new Farm to Healthy Me exhibit at the Children’s Discovery Museum, Braffet Berry Farm, Farm to Wick Candles, Crider Farms, Two Sisters Lavender, and more. We’ll also have a presentation by Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom, an agriculture drone demonstration with Birkey’s and we’ll hear from various commodity organizations. Learn more here!
Try This Lesson: Fourth Grade
Fourth grade teachers:
Teach about monocots and dicots using corn and soybeans. In this lesson, vermiculite is used to hold the moisture for the seed to germinate. Vermiculite is a mineral sometimes used as a part of soil mixes or soil-less media.
Try This Lesson: Second Grade
Second Grade teachers:
Our “States of Matter: Making Butter” lesson is designed to help students learn how milk turns into butter by making, or shaking, their own. It’s a great way to demonstrate different states of matter as students watch heavy cream separate into butter and buttermilk.
Try This Lesson: First Grade
First Grade teachers:
Our “Pumpkin Life Cycle” lesson and bead bracelet activity will take your students on a journey beginning with the pumpkin seed through flowering and pollination and ending with a bright orange pumpkin! McLean County Ag in the Classroom will provide our Pumpkin Facts for Little Readers and all the materials your students need to complete the activity.