This unit gives students the opportunity to explore the science behind agricultural processes and the key cycles that are involved in food production as well as the diversity of farming practices being employed worldwide. will conduct hands-on engaging experiments that help them understand the multiple/different cycles required for life as we know it to exist……Continue Reading Terraforming: An unapologetic, anthropocentric approach to feeding the world
Curriculum Units
Globalization and its Impacts on Consumption and Waste
Students will examine the consumption patterns and the impact of globalization. In doing so, they will consider specifically the lifecycles of two common items: Nike shoes and iPhones. Students will explore the economics of such items and the role of developed and developing countries in their production, use, and disposal. I would like students to be able to answer the following essential questions: How do American consumption patterns affect people and the planet? What have been the costs and benefits of globalization?…Continue Reading Globalization and its Impacts on Consumption and Waste
Mexica, Mexican, and Mexican American
The curriculum empowers Mexican American students and raises awareness for the rest of the learners by exploring the Aztec Empire, Mexico, and Mexican Americans in the United States. Students will learn the content through a Socratic dialogue lens culminating in a project-based learning assignment….Continue Reading Mexica, Mexican, and Mexican American
Climate Change and Calculating Carbon Footprints
This unit will give students an idea of what the world will look like in the future if we don’t all start making changes regarding human impact on the environment. While exploring key mathematical concepts, I hope that students find one or more ways to lower their carbon footprint or talk to their parents about how they can reduce their carbon footprint as a household……Continue Reading Climate Change and Calculating Carbon Footprints
Melting Pot: Migration to the United States
The United States has the largest population of international immigrants in the world. The US has more immigrants than the next four countries combined: Germany, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the United Kingdom. Over 40 million immigrants live in the US, about 13.7% of the total US population. In this unit, students will explore the questions: 1) Why do people immigrate to America? 2) What choices do immigrates have to make when they decide to leave their homes? 3) How will climate change impact the next wave of immigrants?……Continue Reading Melting Pot: Migration to the United States
Global Impact of Climate Change
Climate change refers to long-term changes in Earth’s temperature, precipitation, and other atmospheric conditions.1 Burning fossil fuels and deforestation have contributed to the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and global warming temperatures. The climate crisis is a real threat that is creating challenges all around the world. This unit will focus on teaching students about climate change and exploring its impact on a global scale. The essential question for students is……Continue Reading Global Impact of Climate Change
The Mathematics of Migration: Predicting Flows and Forecasting the Future
The United States and broader world are changing significantly. One of the most important ways in which it is changing is migration. Understanding migration, changes, and how population works will give students tools to position themselves positively in the workplace in the coming years. However, for them to understand fully migration and population change, there are some prerequisites……Continue Reading The Mathematics of Migration: Predicting Flows and Forecasting the Future
Exploring Hispanic Cultures through Time: Mayan Glyphs, the Mexican Revolution, and Indigenous Agrarian Wisdom
The primary purpose of this unit is to delve into the vast array of Latino cultural influences throughout history, with a focus on three significant periods: Mayan civilization, the Mexican Revolution, and present-day agricultural practices influenced by indigenous populations in America. These touchpoints within the curriculum serve to illuminate broader questions about the impact of Central and South American culture and history on students and families in North America……Continue Reading Exploring Hispanic Cultures through Time: Mayan Glyphs, the Mexican Revolution, and Indigenous Agrarian Wisdom
Independent Projects and Book Studies as a Portal Into the Indigenous and Latino Past, Present, and Future
This curricular unit is designed for use at Street School, an alternative school in Oklahoma. The unit uses independent projects and book studies to help students learn about Indigenous and Latino history and culture in the United States and in the world beyond. It also allows students to explore and appreciate the present and future of Indigenous and Latino people. The independent projects are an opportunity for students to learn and refine research skills on projects, the subjects of which are chosen by themselves……Continue Reading Independent Projects and Book Studies as a Portal Into the Indigenous and Latino Past, Present, and Future
Impact of Horses on the Plains Native Americans
This unitwill explain how horses entered the Plains Native American culture many years ago. Native peoples traditionally regarded animals in their lives as fellow creatures with which they shared a common destiny. Horses and the Native Americans together played a significant part in American history. For many Plains groups, horses changed nearly every aspect of their life. Specifically, this unit will focus on the impact horses had on the Plains Native American power, warfare, bison hunting and their involvement in Westward Expansion. An extension activity in the curricular area of science will be incorporated……Continue Reading Impact of Horses on the Plains Native Americans