Literacy Project
Photo by Mattes MichaelaThe Colorado Literacy Project is a way to bring agriculture into the classroom while reinforcing reading comprehension and other academic standards. A new topic and book, featuring Colorado agriculture stories, are chosen each year. This is a FREE program for preK-5th grade classes.
This is a read-aloud book program with supplementary student activities. Teachers may complete this program on their own with their students. Or they may request a farmer or rancher for an in-person or virtual guest reader classroom visit experience. Participating classes receive a free copy of the book, a program guide, lessons and student activities, and enough necessary supplies to complete activities with students.
2024 Literacy Project - Featuring Pueblo Chile
The project focus for 2024 is the Pueblo Chile – a unique chile pepper variety vital to Colorado agriculture. A new book – featuring the true-life story of Pueblo Chiles has been published for this project. The book was produced by a family team from Colorado – Rachel Allnutt of Walden is the author, Sierra Linke of Craig is the illustrator, and McCall Knecht of Pueblo is the publisher. Copies of the book may be purchased from Knecht Media.
All participating classes receive a free classroom kit
The kit includes a copy of Seed, Sprout, Spice! All About Pueblo Chiles to keep in the class or school library; frozen, diced, roasted Pueblo Chiles and paper tasting cups; Pueblo Chile seeds and planting supplies; a copy of the program guide, a Pueblo Chile fact sheet, copies of 8 corresponding student activities, and a teacher/volunteer post-event survey. Classroom kits begin shipping in late-January and will continue through May or until supplies run out.
Educational Resources
This project and the corresponding student activities meet academic standards for Reading, Writing, and Communicating, Science, Visual Arts, Social Studies, Comprehensive Health, and Math.
- 2024 Literacy Project Program Guide
- Important Notice About Classroom Kits
- Seed, Sprout, Spice! Google Slides (with book pages, student pre- and post-test, vocabulary, fun facts, and History Colorado video)
- Try It! – Pueblo Chile Tasting Experience
- Plant It! – Pueblo Chile Seed Planting Activity
- Draw It! – Pueblo Chile Poster Contest
- Take A Trip! – Pueblo Chile Virtual Field Trip with History Colorado
- Fun Facts About Pueblo Chiles and Historic Chile Recipes
- Power Up! – Pueblo Chile Nutrition Activity
- Add It Up! – Pueblo Chile Math Activity
- Test It! – Pueblo Chile Vocabulary Crossword
- String It Up! – Pueblo Chile Ristra Activity
- 2024 Literacy Project Teacher/Volunteer Post-Event Survey
Volunteer are needed to visit classrooms
If you'd like to help with the volunteer guest reader experience for the Literacy Project, complete this CoAITC Volunteer Form.
More support is needed to bring this program to 1,000 classes
Doubling the reach from previous years! We have reached the maximum limit of classes current funding will support. The cost of this program is about $52 per class. Make a tax deductible gift today to ensure all classes that want to participate are able to (we would hate to have to turn away classes).
Questions can be directed to Cyndi Hofmeister, CoAITC Education Program Coordinator.
The 2024 Literacy Project featuring Pueblo Chiles was made possible by support from Colorado Agriculture in the Classroom, the USDA through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program administered by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the Pueblo Chile Growers Association, the Pueblo Food Project, Pueblo Seed & Food Company, and various individual donors. The book was printed by Schuster’s Printing in Pueblo, Colo.
We Made the News!
The Colorado Literacy Project featuring Pueblo chiles is going viral with media coverage across the state. We thank all the networks and outlets who have shared our story! Also thanks to our agriculture industry partners who have promoted this project to their stakeholders. Here are links of the media coverage that we know of:
- Westword - 1/19/24
- KDRO News Channel 13 - 1/9/24
- The Pueblo Chieftain - 1/16/24
- The Fence Post: Ag News - 1/12/24
- High Plains Journal - 1/15/24
- Morning Ag Clips - 1/12/24
- Steamboat Radio - 1/12/24
With more in the works!
If you've seen additional media coverage, please share with us! Our original media release, A particularly Pueblo project, may be found here. Contact Jennifer Scharpe, CoAITC executive director at 720-788-3224.