Educator Guide to Accompany the Colorado Reader Beefin ’ Up Knowledge Discovering Colorado ’ s # 1 Agricultural Product
Colorado Reader
Educator Guide to Accompany the Colorado Reader Beefin ’ Up Knowledge Discovering Colorado ’ s # 1 Agricultural Product
Purpose : Through this Reader , students will be introduced to Colorado ’ s beef industry , exploring the journey of beef from ranch to table . Students will learn about the lifecycle of cattle , the variety of cattle breeds , and the environmental and economic contributions of cattle ranching . Through engaging facts and activities , this Reader provides insights into how beef production connects to sustainability , nutrition , and daily life in Colorado .
Colorado Academic Standards : This crosscurricular educational resource will meet the following standards through the text and various activities . Each activity is designed to align with the relevant grade-level expectations for reading comprehension , science , and social studies
3RD GRADE STANDARDS Reading , Writing , and Communicating
• Comprehension and Collaboration ( 3.1.2 ): Engage in collaborative discussions on topics such as the cattle lifecycle and beef ’ s environmental impact .
• Informational Text Comprehension ( 3.2.2 ): Use text features to locate and interpret information about beef breeds and the beef lifecycle .
Science
• Life Science : Organisms and Their Environments ( 3.2.1 ): Describe how cattle rely on plants and other animals for survival .
Social Studies
• Economics ( 3.3.1 ): Understand the role of producers and consumers through Colorado ’ s beef industry .
4TH GRADE STANDARDS Reading , Writing , and Communicating
• Research and Inquiry ( 4.4.1 ): Conduct short research on cattle breeds or sustainability practices using the Reader as a source .
• Understanding and Using Informational Texts ( 4.2.2 ): Identify main ideas in sections on beef production and cattle ’ s role in the environment .
Science
• Life Science : Structure , Function , and Survival ( 4.2.1 ): Explore how cattle ’ s adaptations support survival in various environments .
Social Studies
• Geography ( 4.2.2 ): Describe how Colorado ’ s environment supports cattle ranching and influences human activity .
5TH GRADE STANDARDS Reading , Writing , and Communicating
• Summarizing and Paraphrasing ( 5.2.2 ): Summarize information about the beef lifecycle and sustainability practices .
• Interpreting Vocabulary ( 5.2.3 ): Determine the meaning of domain-specific vocabulary such as “ marbled beef ,” “ weaning ,” and “ ruminant .”
Science
• Life Science : Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems ( 5.2.1 ): Model the movement of matter among plants , animals , and decomposers through beef cattle ’ s role in nutrient cycling .
Social Studies
• Civics ( 5.4.2 ): Analyze how ranchers address environmental issues through sustainable cattle ranching practices .
How to use : Use this Colorado Reader during your reading , social studies , or science . Another option is to send these items home with students ( or include in homework / enrichment packets ) to complete at home on virtual learning days . Or use during substitute days . Pass out one copy of the Colorado Reader to each student . Ask students to read the Colorado Reader , completing the activities within the Reader as they go . Answers to the activities in the Reader are included , should you desire to collect and score responses . To further enhance learning , incorporate any of the additional lessons from the Curriculum Matrix that are identified on the back .
Vocabulary : Reviewing these terms will help students better understand the material and enhance their learning experience as they explore the world of Colorado produce and farmers markets .
auction – A public sale where animals or goods are sold to the person willing to pay the most . backgrounder or stocker – People who care for young beef animals at their stage in life when the animals eat mostly grass after weaning . beef breeds – Types of cattle raised specifically for meat , like Angus , Hereford , and Charolais . bull - An intact male beef or dairy animal . calf - A young cow or bull . carbon cycle – A natural process where carbon atoms continuously move between the Earth ’ s atmosphere , oceans , living organisms , and soil .
Colorado Agriculture in the Classroom • 10343 Federal Blvd Unit J Box 224 , Westminster , CO 80260 • Info @ CoAgClassroom . org • CoAgClassroom . org