The purpose of this project is to immerse students in the interconnected journey of food, fostering understanding of how it impacts our health, community, and environment. Through hands-on learning at MAKE farms and collaborative activities, students develop literacy and numeracy skills while exploring plant growth, nutritional impacts, and community traditions. This experience engages students in real-world problem-solving, enhancing their critical thinking, collaboration, and communication abilities, culminating in a vibrant farmers market event to celebrate and share their learning with families and community members.
Learning goals
Students will analyze the lifecycle of plants and practice caring for a class garden to understand how food grows. They will explore the nutritional impact of food on the body and engage in projects that investigate how food can build community and improve wellbeing. Learners will develop informational and opinion writing skills by documenting their findings about plant growth and community food traditions, while actively participating in a community farmers market event to share their insights and celebrate diverse culinary practices.
Standards
[Common Core] CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.1.3 - Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
[Common Core] CCSS.Math.Content.1.OA.D.8 - Determine the unknown whole number in an addition or subtraction equation relating three whole numbers.
[Common Core] CCSS.Math.Content.1.MD.A.2 - Express the length of an object as a whole number of length units, by laying multiple copies of a shorter object (the length unit) end to end; understand that the length measurement of an object is the number of same-size length units that span it with no gaps or overlaps.
[Common Core] CCSS.Math.Content.1.NBT.C.5 - Given a two-digit number, mentally find 10 more or 10 less than the number, without having to count; explain the reasoning used.
[Common Core] CCSS.Math.Content.1.NBT.B.2 - Understand that the two digits of a two-digit number represent amounts of tens and ones. Understand the following as special cases:
[Common Core] CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.2 - Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
[Common Core] CCSS.Math.Content.1.NBT.C.6 - Subtract multiples of 10 in the range 10-90 from multiples of 10 in the range 10-90 (positive or zero differences), using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction; relate the strategy to a written method and explain the reasoning used.
Competencies
Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.
Content Expertise - Students develop key competencies, skills, and dispositions with ample opportunities to apply knowledge and engage in work that matters to them.
Effective Communication - Students practice listening to understand, communicating with empathy, and share their learning through exhibiting, presenting and reflecting on their work.
Collaboration - Students co-design projects with peers, exercise shared-decision making, strengthen relational agency, resolve conflict, and assume leadership roles.
Products
Students will collaboratively design and maintain a class garden, documenting plant growth through written journals that detail their observations and reflections. They will also create informational brochures or digital presentations on the nutritional value and impact of various foods, aimed at educating peers and family members during the farmers market exhibition. Lastly, students will curate a community recipe book by gathering and illustrating recipes from their own diverse cultural backgrounds and those of community partners, celebrating the rich tapestry of food traditions within their community.
Launch
The project will kick off with an interactive field trip to MAKE farm, where students will actively investigate how food is cultivated. They will participate in hands-on activities such as planting seeds, watering, and observing the early growth stages of plants. This experience will ignite their curiosity by providing them with a tangible connection to the food growth process, setting the stage for further exploration of how food impacts communities and health.
Exhibition
At the culmination of the project, students will host a vibrant farmer's market at school, inviting families and community members to join. Each student group will create display booths showcasing their understanding of plant growth, the nutritional impact of food on the body, and the cultural significance of food traditions. Students will present their informational and opinion writings, and engage visitors with interactive activities such as taste-testing diverse foods, plant care demonstrations, and storytelling about their farm experiences and community connections. The exhibition will foster meaningful dialogue, drawing connections between the students' learning and the broader community.
