Unit: Urbanization & Urban Agriculture

Introduction

Brief overview of the lesson & objectives

Key Terms: Urbanization, Urban Agriculture, Monoculture, Polyculture, Food Security, Climate Change, Greenhouse Effect,

Definition of Urbanization

Background & Environment

How Did We Get Here?

Reactions & Impacts

What does the research say?

Support & Criticism

Short-Term & Future Implications

Food Security & Vacant Lots

Collaborative Research Assignment: Setting the stage for next weeks class

Team up with three other classmates and generate a list of 8 possible sites in your community that could be converted to an urban garden. See if you can find out who owns at least 4 of the 8 potential spots. Urban gardens can spring up almost anywhere: on rooftops, balconies, backyards, and businesses, in parks and vacant lots.

"The Greenhouse Effect"

Discuss the phenomenon

Climate Change = Food Uncertainties

Activitiy: 1. Name some possible effects of global climate change, 2. How might these effects impact future farming?, 3. Which form of agriculture may be better adapted to global climate changes: large-scale rural monoculture or small-scale urban polyculture? Why? Other alternatives?, 4. Can urban agriculture help reduce releases of greenhouse gases? How?

Introduction

Interest Approach: What did/will you eat for lunch today? Where did all the parts of your meal come from?

Define Urban Agriculture

Student Outcomes (Objectives): 1. Study the local & global benefits of urban agricultre, 2. Explore different agricultural methods & find possible sites for urban agriculture, 3. Research garden & plant types, 4. Investigate possible garden sites, 5. Design a school garden

Class Activities

Urban Ag is Good For...

Prezi: Local Economies, Biodiversity, Waste Reduction, Nutrition, The Environment, Food Security, & Local Empowerment

Guess Which Method (Mono- or Polyculture)

Interactive PowerPoint - use clickers

Plotting, Planning, Potting, Planting

Part 1: Research Possibilities

Gardens come in many varieties. In groups, students will be assigned a garden type from the list & research the following things about it: 1. Garden's purpose, appearance, benefits, and suitable regions, 2. Three examples of plant species that fit this garden type, 3. Requirements, uses, benefits, and pictures of 3 sample plants.

Garden Types List: Butterfly, hummingbird, Homeopathic/Medicinal, Native, Edibles, Herb, Scree, Drought-Resistant, Flower, or Xeriscape

Part 2: Finding the Right Site

Part 3: Designing the Garden

Possibilities for Course Integration

Social Science: Research the cultural significance of plants and community gardens

Science: Cultivating, analyzing soil, manipulative experimenting, monitoring and composting

Art & Metal/Wood Shop: Creating garden sculptures and furniture, building equipment and tools

Home Economics: Food harvesting & preparation

Math: Plotting garden dimensions/geometry; planting, watering, fertilizing and harvesting schedules

Assignment/Homework

Plants can play a significant role in one's culture. Students will write about a plant that figures prominantly in their family life: 1. Choose one plant that plays a role in your family's culture, whether it be a food, a spice, a healthy remedy, a prozed possession, an instrument, etc., 2. Draw or print an image at the school library of the plant and label its parts, 3. Write/describe the following for your plant: Common and scientific name, appearance, lifecycle, growth requirements (sunlight exposure, water, soil type/depthifican, fertilizer...), native region, human uses, cultural significance, other benefits (shade for other plants, nectar for hummingbirds, leaves for mulch...)