Curriculum for Restoration
We cannot prescribe curriculum for the process of restoration. However, I hope that this can be a space where we can share ideas and collaborate on lesson plans, projects, and curricula that simultaneously address social and ecological degradation and promote restoration.
The Story of Corn
I am currently developing a very corny curriculum exploring the significance of corn in the continuing history of US beginning more than 10,000 years before the arrival of European settlers. The curriculum centers the Indigenous People's history of corn, but seeks to help students develop tools to critically consider multiple perspectives including the accounts of modern western science.
Through the exploration of the story of corn, students will discover the interconnections between the natural world, agriculture, history, food, and culture. Students will be encouraged, inspired and empowered through an action-oriented, project-based curriculum to engage in food justice work in their own local communities with a strong international perspective.
Themes tied directly to (agri)culture and corn:
- Art, history, English, social studies and science
- Gardening, cooking, and EATING*
- Multicultural approach centering Latina/o agricultural and cultural traditions
- Indigenous Peoples' history as continuing process including history of colonization, resilience, and decolonization
- Indigenous, Immigrant and Migrant experiences in the US
- Influence of international trade agreements such as NAFTA
- Food security, food justice, and activism
- GMOs and biodiversity
- Farm worker movements
- Zapatista movement
*I am absolutely a proponent of universal school lunches (and breakfasts) and in addition to the importance of fulfilling the basic needs of students, sharing meals is socially important and a fantastic opportunity for education. Most of the lessons in this curriculum involve sharing a meal or snack.
Resources:
Notes:
I've uploaded several drafts of lessons. They are very incomplete, but I hope you might find some of it useful or inspiring. Please feel free to modify and adapt them however you like.
I always begin these lessons by reading In Lak'ech in English and Spanish and a discussion about respect (respect for self, respect for others, respect for Earth).
Lesson 1: The Story of Corn
We are all seeds of change, but the seeds of corn are the mother seeds in resistance. In this lesson we will explore the significance of corn in our diets, traditions, and culture from 10,000 years ago when Mayans first grew corn to present day. This is meant to be especially inspiring and empowering for students who live in agricultural communities.
Lesson 2: Growing Tacos
Students will design and plant a Three Sisters garden and a "salsa garden" to grow all of the ingredients necessary for tacos with homemade tortillas. The garden will serve as a focal point through the entire curriculum and we will grow with our garden. The curriculum will culminate in a harvest celebration where students will prepare and enjoy the tacos.
Download:
Lesson 3: Corn Tortillas
Students gain respect and understanding of Indigenous and Hispanic cultures of Mexico by learning the history of tortillas and the variety of ways they have been prepared throughout history beginning thousands of years ago. Students will nixtamalize the corn, grind it into masa, cook, and sample tortillas.
Lesson 4: Good Corn, Bad Corn
This lesson focuses on the nutritional value of processed vs. unprocessed corn products. Students will define calories, build a calorimeter to measure calories, and understand the different sources of calories: fat, protein, and sugar. Students will be informed to make healthy decisions about their diet and specifically sugar intake.
Lesson 5: Globalization and Kiki Corn
In this lesson students explore world cultures and connections between cultures by preparing and sampling a healthy African dish similar to tamales. Students will learn the concept of globalization and consider pros and cons of the process including social, economic, and ecologic.
Lesson 6: Ecology, Economy, and The Mexican Revolution
In this lesson students will learn about social, economic, and environmental issues in agriculture from Emiliano Zapata and Mexican Revolution to Cesar Chavez and farmworker unions to NAFTA and the Zapatistas.
Download:
Lesson 7: Posole My Way
Students will learn the unique colonial history of New Mexico by discovering the many variations of the traditional Mexican soup, posole.
Download:
Other Lessons
Natural Empathy
This lesson utilizes art and a process of guided perspective taking to help students simultaneously build their understanding of both the social and natural world. Similar guided perspective taking methods have been used with explicit focus on the social domain in rehabilitation programs for antisocial youth (cf. John Gibbs). The art portion of the activity as adapted from a research project examining students understanding of animal needs (cf. Gene Myers). Students will derive plant needs (Light, Air, Water, Soil), habitat requirements for animals (Food, Water, Shelter, Space) and human needs.
Students will compare and contrast the needs of plants, animals, and humans, and determine that humans have special needs beyond our basic habitat needs such as love and affection. Essentially, they will be discovering Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and using it as a lens through which they can explore their relationship to the natural world and one another.
Using their developing empathic skills and social understanding, students will work through several scenarios of typical schoolyard conflicts to find constructive resolutions.
If you try out any of these lessons, wish to share any ideas, or would like to collaborate on this project, I would love to hear from you!