Middle School Curriculum
by Arianna Hoeks, Melania Rocha, Pascal Beutler
by Arianna Hoeks, Melania Rocha, Pascal Beutler
Food and Life-Cycle
Our Theme
In our community project, we will be creating a food and life-cycle curriculum that pertains to middle school students, emphasizing how easy it is to have a sustainable lifestyle and relationship with food. The topics he curriculum covers are; gardening, composting, food preservation, and food transportation implications. We also attempt to include cultural components and support diverse perspectives while familiarizing students with STEM components for a well-rounded learning experience.
Why this is important
Exploring topics included in our curriculum is beneficial to a community as a whole. Youth exposure to concepts around sustainability and environmental justice may be limited. Advocating for food sovereignty is a struggle for communities across the board. Sadly issues around the right to food disproportionally affect communities of color and or low-income communities. Activities to educate about proper gardening practices and real-world practices of the food industry support youth to create a better relationship with food and evolve a deeper appreciation for people in their community who make a difference in local food systems. Food is a basic necessity; not everyone in a community has the privilege of not worrying about having food on the table. Educating middle schoolers attempts to create a better future.; we hope that when those in the community understand food systems, they can work to better those systems to promote ideals such as accessibility and environmental justice.
H.O.P.E. Gardens
Helping Other People Eat
Helping Other People Eat Gardens (H.O.P.E.) is a nonprofit founded by Rich and Julie Brunson in 2015 to educate kids about gardening and food (H.O.P.E. Gardens, 2021). Their goal is to address food sovereignty and food justice issues by empowering kids already in their early years to grow food independently and sustainably. H.O.P.E. Gardens strives to promote food security and food sovereignty; this nonprofit understands the disproportion impact issues surrounding access to food and information on food production have on those in minority groups. H.O.P.E Gardens can help educate residents to make decisions about their diet on their own and spread their knowledge to others. A unique quality of this organization is its focus on regenerative gardening, which is “an inexpensive, quick-start, and easy to maintain gardening method” (Brunson, 2021).
The organization is working closely with schools in Wyoming, Michigan; and follows the educational core content standards by the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) faculty (H.O.P.E. Gardens, 2021). A bilateral learning experience in which the teacher learns from the kids as much and vice versa ensures a non-hierarchic environment that allows the kids to evolve even more.
Background of Wyoming, MI
The City of Wyoming in Michigan is about 20 minutes out from the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. This city ranks 16 among the largest communities in Michigan. Wyoming is also the 2nd largest in the West Michigan area (About Wyoming, n.d.). This city has a population of 76,501 and is notable for its diverse community (United States Census Bureau, n.d.). In reference to the images to the side, the top one is of the education levels of those living in Wyoming, MI, while the second one shows the ethnic-racial makeup of the City of Wyoming.
In the City of Wyoming, Michigan, 86% of those 25 years and older have a high school diploma or higher; this is only a 5.4% difference between the 91.4% rate across Michigan (U.S. Census Bureau, 2019). In the City of Wyoming, Michigan, the median household income is $54,328. Compared to the U.S median household income of $65,712, there is an $11,384 difference between these figures. (Wyoming, MI, n.d.).
In this activity, students will get to learn about their favorite fruit or vegetable and get creative with it!
Materials Needed
8.5 x 11 in. paper
Markers or colored pencils
Ruler
Creativity!
Estimated Time for Completion: 1-2hrs
Step 1
Research "Plant Anatomy" for your favorite fruit or vegetable
Step 2
Take notes on the different structures of plants and describe their function
Step 3
Using your drawing materials, draw a cutout/dissection of your plant on your mini poster
Step 4
Label the different parts (at least 5) and write a short description of what they do (2-4 sentences)
Step 5
Make your poster detailed and colorful!
References
About Wyoming. (n.d.). The City of Wyoming Michigan. Retrieved November 4, 2021, from https://www.wyomingmi.gov/About-Wyoming
Brunson, J. (2021, 10 27). Presentation on H.O.P.E. Gardens [Julie Brunson held a presentation on H.O.P.E. Gardens to the ENS 201 class] [PowerPoint Presentation]. Julie Branson.
H.O.P.E. Gardens. (2021, 11 03). H.O.P.E. Gardens. Our Story. https://hopegardensgr.org/about/
Karadsheh, S. (2020, August 5). Quick Pickled Cucumber Recipe. The Mediterranean Dish. Retrieved November 7, 2021, from https://www.themediterraneandish.com/quick-pickled-cucumber-recipe/
Race, Diversity, and Ethnicity in Wyoming, MI. (n.d.). Best Neighborhoods. Retrieved November 4, 2021, from https://bestneighborhood.org/race-in-wyoming-mi/
U.S. Census Bureau. (n.d.). QuickFacts Wyoming city, Michigan. Retrieved November 4, 2021, from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/wyomingcitymichigan/SEX255219
U.S. Census Bureau. (2019). Census Reporter Profile page for Wyoming, MI. Census Reporter. Retrieved November 4, 2021, from https://censusreporter.org/profiles/16000US2688940-wyoming-mi/
Wyoming, MI. (n.d.). Data USA. Retrieved November 4, 2021, from https://datausa.io/profile/geo/wyoming-mi?scrlybrkr=967e1572#demographics