Introducing the first-ever curriculum specifically designed to be used alongside Joel's books. Dive into Folks, This Ain't Normal and use this comprehensive guide to encourage junior-high and high-school students to think in-depth about our world.

Includes both the Teacher's Guide and Student Workbook containing many resources for a fully rounded course and understanding.

In-Depth Exploration: Examine the impact of politics, culture, and economics on food production.

Critical Thinking: Challenge societal norms and develop analytical skills by exploring the connection between food, health, culture, and the environment.

Hands-On Learning: Participate in a Botany Project by growing an heirloom seed variety, gaining practical experience in sustainable food production.

Comprehensive Study: Conclude with a well-researched argumentative essay on a chosen topic related to the American food system.

Empowerment: Encourage informed decision-making and conscientious citizenship, motivating students to reconsider and positively influence current food systems.

Activities include:

• Exploration of the interaction of politics and farming
• Ingredients web mini-research task
• Academic vocabulary
• TED Talk and accompanying activity
• Omnivore’s Dilemma and The Jungle excerpts and activities
• Mini research task
• Extensive botany project
• Art analysis and accompanying activity
• Non-fiction articles
• Annotation Guide and instructions for annotating while reading the text
• Journal prompts for before and after each chapter of Folks, This Aint Normal
• Reading Logs - an assignment that spans the entirety of the text, utilizing a research-based close reading strategy that improves reading comprehension and analytical skills. Grading rubric included.
• Film pairing and accompanying assignments
• Music pairings and accompanying assignments
• Art and poetry pairings and accompanying assignments
• Argumentative Essay Writing, grading rubric included

BONUS RESOURCES

1. Informational Text Graphic Organizer (can be used with any informational text)
2. An original recipe that is not only delicious but pairs well with the text

Complete parent/teacher guide included. The parent guide provides all necessary information for implementing this unit including an example 8-week pacing guide.

You will need to purchase a copy of the anchor text, Folks, This Ain't Normal, to accompany this unit.