Teaching Guide for Squabbles of the Soil Season 3

Topic: The Breeding of Doodles

Host: Farrayn Arnold

Guests: Brooke Dent and Tammy Speakman

The Doodle breeds are dogs that are cross bred with a poodle and another dog breed of some sort. Popular Doodle breeds are Aussie Doodles, Goldendoodles, and Labradoodles. Designer Doodle’s are very popular right now, but there are some controversies to whether this cross should be made. The controversy lays between the fact that pure bred dogs are getting bred and losing their sole purpose, as well as some different factors of health, trainability, and temperament of the animal.

Objectives:

Pre-Viewing Questions:

Guided Questions:

Post-Listening Questions:

Topic: Livestock’s Contribution to Climate Change

Host: Kyla Pearson

Guests: Dr. Andrew Muhammad and Mr. Charles Hord

Objectives:

Pre-Viewing Questions:

Guided Questions:

Post-Listening Questions:

After listening to the podcast, reflect upon what you have learned and answer the following questions again with your newfound knowledge.

Scoring Rubric:

The following scoring guide can be used to assess responses to open-ended post-listening questions. Create your own point value to align with your school’s approach to assessment:

Question 1 objective 1:

Level 1-  student lists one pro and one con

Level 2- student lists 2 pros and 2 cons

Level 3-  student lists and describes one pro and one con

Level 4-  student lists and describes at least two pros and one con

Question 2 objective 2:

Level 1-  student lists one pro and one con

Level 2- student lists 2 pros and 2 cons

Level 3-  student lists and describes one pro and one con

Level 4-  student lists and describes at least two pros and one con

Question 3 objective 3:

Level 1-  student lists one pro and one con

Level 2- student lists 2 pros and 2 cons

Level 3-  student lists and describes one pro and one con

Level 4-  student lists and describes at least two pros and one con

Post Listening Question #1: 

Level 1- Student lists 0 things they know about the topic

Level 2- Student lists 1-2 things they know about the topic

Level 3- Student lists 3 things they know about the topic

Level 4- Students lists 4 or more things they know about the topic

Post Listening Question #2:

Level 1- Student does not share any thoughts

Level 2- Student shares very vague thoughts

Level 3- Student shares thoughts but does not elaborate with any points 

Level 4- Student shares thoughts thoroughly using points mentioned in the podcast

Post Listening Question #3: 

Level 1- Student responses do not relate to the podcast

Level 2- Student does not respond with an opinion and only mentions one example from the podcast

Level 3- Student does not respond with opinion and uses multiple examples from the podcast

Level 4- Student answers with opinion in a thorough answer with multiple examples from the podcasts supporting their viewpoint

This episode of Squabbles of the Soil explores the possible advantages and disadvantages of 12 month employment contracts for agriculture teachers. Many believe that this structure of employment offers no time for agriculture teachers to have a personal life, time outside of the school, or takes them away from their families, children, spouses, and so on. There are some that argue that teachers should not be seeing students outside the normal school year, and most often it comes down to one thing: money. The first argument commonly made is that teachers are just not paid enough to spend an extra two months doing work in or related to the classroom. This episode has also been structured to be used as an instructional opportunity in classroom.  

Teaching Guide  

Topic: 12 Month Employment Contracts for Agriculture Teachers   

Host: Bailey Warren   

Guests:   

Dr. Lori Brown, Director of CTE for Maury County Schools  

Mr. Byron Peery, 2nd Generation Agriculture Teacher for Culleoka Unit School  

Objectives:  

1. I can identify at least one advantage and one disadvantage of 12 month employment contracts for agriculture teachers.   

2. I can form my own opinion on the topic of 12 month employment contracts for agriculture teachers.  

3. I can understand why there are 12 month employment contracts for agriculture teachers.   

Pre-Viewing Questions:   

1. Why might 12 month contracts be controversial?   

2. Do all agriculture programs and teachers have to be on 12 month contracts?  

3. Why are 12 month contracts usually used for agriculture programs?   

Guided Questions to follow along (to ensure participation in the podcast from students):   

1. What is normally accomplished in the 2 extra months of employment in a 12 month contract?   

2. Do you feel all agriculture programs should be 12 month programs?  

3. Do you feel that 12 month employment contracts have the potential for burnout for teachers as well as students?  

4. Do you feel as though students gain more out of the two extra months of possible instruction?   

5. What do you believe is the biggest benefit/downfall of 12 month employment contracts for agriculture teachers   

Post Listening questions:   

1. What is your stance on 12 month employment contracts for agriculture teachers?   

2. What is at least one advantage and one disadvantage of 12 month employment contracts for agriculture teachers?   

3. Do you think agriculture teachers should get a bonus incentive for the two extra months of work?

Organic Farming has gained popularity for its environmental, sustainability, and marketing value. Although there are criticisms, such as increased inputs, decreased yields, and reduced land efficiency. Let’s dive deeper into the pros and cons of Organic Farming in this podcast. 

Teaching Guide Topic: Organic Farming 

Host: Angayla Maxwell Guests: Dan and Nadia Spatz (Happy Flavors Farms), Lauren Palmer (Bloomsbury Farms)

 Objectives:   

 1. Explore the benefits and challenges of organic agriculture.   

 2. Understand how sustainability is connected to organic farming.   

 3. Investigate public influence on organic agriculture.

 Pre-Viewing Questions: (Have your students answer these questions independently before listening to the podcast, use as a bell-ringer or Know-Want to know-Learned chart.)   

 1. How would you define organic farming?   

 2. What challenges do you think organic farmers come across in their profession?  

  3. What is your opinion on organic agriculture?

 Guided Questions to follow along: (Allow students to record their answers to these questions independently while listening to the podcast. Utilized to ensure students are engaged)   

 1. What is the NOP?  

  2. Farming for the next generation is called? 

   3. Other than organic certification, what other certification can farmers look into?

 Post-Listening questions : (After listening to this podcast with your class, allow students to answer these questions to test their engagement, use as a exit ticket or a Know-Want to know-Learned chart.)  

  1. How does public perception relate to organic farming? 

   2. What were the pros and cons of organic certification? 

   3. What is your opinion on organic agriculture?

This topic is about ear cropping in dogs. This controversial topic discusses the various reasons why some might be opposed to ear cropping, like how painful it is for dogs, and why some may support it, like for breed looks. We will have two guests to give us information on the topic. 

Topic: Ear Cropping in Canines

Host: Leandra Koss

Guests: Dr. Vickie Swarowski (Veterinarian in San Diego) & Noelle Bozeman (seasoned animal rescuer)

Objectives:

1. I can identify what ear cropping on canines is by the end of the podcast.

2. I can formulate my own opinion with information supporting my opinion on the controversial topic based off of the responses from the interviewees.

3. I can recite two pieces of information from each side that contributes to the controversy.

Pre-Viewing Questions: (for a bell ringer, use as a short discussion)

1. What is ear cropping?

2. What is your current stance on the controversial topic?

3. What makes this topic controversial?

Guided Questions to follow along:

1. Which interviewee supports the topic of ear cropping?

2. What are 2 reasons someone would crop their dogs’ ears other than cosmetic reasons?

3. What are reasons Noelle Bozeman is against ear cropping in canines?

Post Listening questions: (use as an exit ticket)

1. What is your stance after listening to the podcast? Why?

2. What are 2 things you learned?

3. What else do you want to know about ear cropping? What questions do you have after listening?

In this episode we will explore the controversial topic of coyote hunting competitions. We will hear from our guest, Tucker Barrett, about what happens at the competitions and why he and several others take part in coyote hunting competitions. We will also hear some arguments from the opposing side. We will also learn about why some organizations are non-supporters of coyote hunting competitions. 

Teaching Guide

Topic: Coyote hunting competitions

Host: Maxwell LaFrenier

Guests: Tucker Barrett

Objectives:

1. Inform the listener on what coyote hunting competitions are.

2. Inform the listener why these competitions have been created and continued.

3. Challenge the listener to analyze the topic for themselves to decide their opinion.

If you are using this podcast as a teaching resource, these questions are intended for listeners or students to answer before starting this episode to serve as a benchmark for their understanding of the topic before listening. 

Pre-Viewing Questions:

1. What are coyote hunting competitions?

2. What issues do coyotes pose for farmers and ranchers?

3. Why are coyote hunting competitions viewed negatively?

Guided questions are intended to be answered while the listener or student is listening to the podcast.

Guided Questions to follow along:

1.  Are coyote hunting competitions popular?

2.  Are coyote hunts strictly for prize winning?

3.  What issues come with these competitions?

Post-listening questions are intended for the listener or student to answer after they have listened to the podcast to gauge what they have learned from the episode. 

Post-Listening Questions:

1. What possible alternatives to predator problems are there?

2. Do you support or oppose coyote hunting competitions?

This podcast is about grain-free food and the controversial topic of it causing heart disease. There will be 2 guest speakers, one will be opposed and one will be in support of grain-free foods. 

Topic: Grain-free Food and Heart Disease

Host: Emily Goolsby

Guests: Gabrielle Richey and Debbie Clark

Objectives:

1. I can identify the amino acid that is unabsorbable/not in grain-free food. 

2. I can identify some Pros and Cons of grain-free food.

3. I can recall 2 things that are missing from grain-free foods. 

Pre-Listening Questions:

Please have the students answer these questions on a piece of paper before listening to this podcast. 

1. Are grains necessary for an animal's diet?

2. What do you know right now, about grain-free foods?

3. What grain-free food brands do you know?

Guided Questions to follow along:

Please have the students answer these questions on a piece of paper while listening to the podcast. 

1. What breed has benefited from this food?

2. Is there a health reason one might put their dog on this food?

3. Does it affect cats and dogs the same?

Post Listening questions:

Please have the students answer these questions on a piece of paper after listening to the podcast. All questions could be used in a group/class discussion. 

1. What is missing from grain-free foods and why is it important?

2. Do some animals have GI problems with grain-free vs. grain food

3. Are there any testings proving that this food can cause heart disease?

Declawing cats is a controversial topic due to people choose to alter their cats ability by removing their nails. Many people can declaw for health issues or to alter their behavior due to scratching and ruining furniture. Some may find other resources than declawing. Follow along to see what the guest today have to say about declawing cats.

Teaching Guide

Topic: Declawing of Cats

Host: Savannah Scott

Guests:

Abby Roberts, a Vet Tech from VCA Creekside

Alicia Jones, a Hospital Manager from VCA Mt Juliet

Gary Kirk, a Retired Rescue Owner

Heather Haufmann, a finance manager who had an interest in small animal medicine and welfare in college.

Objectives:

1. I can identify 2 pros and 2 cons of declawing cats by the end of this episode.

2. I can create my own opinion on the topic of declawing cats.

3. I can understand the procedure of declawing cats.

Pre-Viewing Questions: 

(Can serve as a pre assessment and bell work. Have students write down their answered prior to viewing to gain knowledge of what they know prior to listening.)

1. What are alternatives to declawing?

2. How much do you think it costs to declaw a cat?

3. Do you think declawing is outlawed in other countries?

4. Do you think there are certain instances of declawing a cat?

5. Is there a good age to declaw a cat?

Guided Questions to follow along:

(Give this list of questions to follow along with the podcast. Serves as an accountability feature to ensure that students were engaged in the listening of the podcast.)

1. What 2 countries are still practicing declawing?

2. What are 2 reasons cats should and shouldn’t be declawed?

3. How is declawing different from a spay or neuter?

4. What affects the cost of declawing?

5. What are soft paws?

6. Does declawing lower the risk of spreading a disease?

7. What is an acceptable situation to declaw a cat?

8. Is it better to declaw or rehome an animal according to the guest?

9. What age should a cat be declawed?

10. What is a pheromone spray?

Post Listening questions:

(Allow this to serve as an assessment to ensure that they followed along.)

1. After listening to the podcast, what did you learn about the process of declawing cats?

2. What is the average cost for declawing a cat?

3. Is it easier and cheaper if the cat is already under anesthesia for a spay or neuter?

4. What is one thing multiple speakers said?

5. What are 3 alternatives of declawing cats?

Podcast Teaching Guide

Topic: Livestock Showing

Host: Lily Steed

Guests: Lindsey Nicholas and Kayla Wilson

Objectives

Question for teacher to ask students before podcast:

Questions for teacher to ask students after podcast: