cellulose – A material that makes up the strong parts of plants , which animals like cattle can digest . cow - A female beef or dairy animal . crossbreeding – Breeding two different types of cattle to combine their best traits . export – Goods , like beef , sent from one country to another for sale . feedlot / feedyard – A place where cattle are fed to grow big and strong before being sold for meat . forage – Plants like grass or hay that cattle eat . harvesting facility / packing plant – A place where animals are prepared to be sold as meat for grocery stores and restaurants . lifecycle – The stages of life a living thing goes through , from birth to adult . manure – Animal waste , often used to help plants grow as fertilizer . marbling – Small bits of fat in meat that make it tastier and tender . methane – A gas produced by animals like cattle during digestion ; it ’ s part of the carbon cycle . nutrient cycle – The process of nutrients moving through plants , animals , and soil to help living things grow . Pulmonary Arterial Pressure ( PAP ) – A test to see how well a cow ’ s heart works at high altitudes , especially important in mountain areas . ruminant – An animal with a special stomach that helps it digest tough plant parts , like grass . steer - A male bovine that has been castrated . sustainability – Practices that help protect resources and the environment for the future . weaning – The process of helping a young animal start eating on its own and not rely on its mother ’ s milk .
Lesson Plans to go with this Reader : The Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix is an online , searchable , and standards-based database for K-12 teachers . The Matrix contextualizes national education standards in science , social studies , and nutritional education with relevant instructional resources linked to Common Core Standards . Below are a few lesson plans that could be used in conjunction with this Colorado Reader . Find these lessons and more by searching the key words on the Curriculum Matrix at CoAgClassroom . org .
Animals on the Farm - Students discover that farm animals produce different types of products . Grades PreK-K
Milk or Meat ? Beef or Dairy ? - Students identify the differences between beef and dairy cattle and determine the commodities produced by each type of cattle . Grades K-2
Beef Basics - Students explain the value of the beef cattle industry , including the products cattle produce , the production process from farm to plate , and how cattle can utilize and obtain energy from grass and other forage . Grades 3-5
Build-a-Calf Workshop - Students explore concepts of heredity in beef cattle and identify dominant and recessive traits . Grades 3-5
The Remarkable Ruminant - In this lesson , students will follow the farm to fork process of producing beef , learn how cattle and other ruminants convert grass into nutrient-rich foods such as milk and meat , discover ways cattle recycle food waste , and identify careers in the beef cattle industry . Grades 6-8
Source Sleuth : Investigating Credible Sources About Beef Students will discover why it is important to use credible sources , learn strategies for identifying credible sources , identify primary sources of information , and practice citing sources . Grades 6-8
Carbon Hoofprints : Cows and Climate Change - Students explore the carbon cycle and evaluate the carbon footprint of cattle . Using critical thinking skills , students will use the Claim , Evidence , and Reasoning model to determine the effect of cows ’ methane production on the environment and investigate the extent cattle contribute to climate change . Grades 9-12
Answers :
Page 2 : Popular Beef Breeds - Answers are listed on the back page of the Reader .
Page 3 : Beef Breeds - Test Your Knowledge 1 . Shorthorn ; 2 . Shorthorn ; 3 . Angus and Red Angus ; 4 . Hump over the shoulders , thin skin , or large , floppy ears ; 5 . Four ; 6 . Four
Page 7 : Sustainability on the Ranch Word Search T M Z A X F F Q C X H U K M Y R Y Q T V H Q Y W G C R O L D S N T K M E A L S W L J W R U M D Z Z M K M K D H N H O V M U W E A G I S X P M L A Z V O H O C Y Y L S S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y O G U Z H E C A R B O N L F J X W B D I V R B A E Y Y P N R P R O J E C T C W Z E A H Z A I I V Y U D S J B T H A I R M S S W H L G E K V I F F S E R U C B F N E S H U T U S V C X P Y N E C H D V N S L O C N H X A Y F Y L V V F L O J G L C X F B W Y C T X M E A O F L A M P O L I M P Q F S F U A B Z N B R K N E W V E K H T G Z Z I A Y K M E T P O D S I N M K T S N E D H H R M W T S A L Y W Q Z Q V J C I J