Project Introduction and Storytelling - Begin with a storytelling session featuring excerpts from 'Braiding Sweetgrass' to introduce students to themes of interconnectedness and reciprocity. Follow with an interactive discussion on food justice and the concept of a gift economy. (20 min)

Community Garden Visit - Organize a visit to a local community garden, where students observe sustainable practices and connect the themes discussed to real-world examples in Elmhurst. (25 min)

Reflection Journal Setup - Guide students in creating their 'Reflection Journal' to document thoughts and feelings about the project's impact on their understanding of food justice and equity. Introduce the concept of food justice and allow students to start their first entry. (20 min)

Essential Question Discussion - Facilitate a discussion on the essential question: 'Can humans live harmoniously with plants and animals?' Encourage students to share initial thoughts and relate them to their community garden visit. (25 min)

Research Skills Workshop - Teach students how to locate and refer to relevant details and evidence in texts related to food justice and green spaces. Introduce research skills they will use throughout the project. (20 min)

Text Analysis Activity - Engage students in analyzing a short text about food justice, focusing on identifying claims and supporting evidence. Connect this to their understanding of food justice and green spaces in Elmhurst. (25 min)

Vocabulary Building - Conduct a session on acquiring and accurately using academic and content-specific words and phrases relevant to food justice and green spaces. Use engaging activities to help students understand and apply these terms. (20 min)

Reflection Journal Entry - Have students reflect on the week's activities and discussions in their journals, focusing on their understanding of food justice and initial thoughts on the project. Provide time for peer sharing and feedback. (25 min)

Exploring Food Justice in Elmhurst - Introduce students to the concept of food justice and its importance in Elmhurst. Discuss the role of community gardens, food accessibility, and sustainability. (15 min)

Cultural Perspectives on Food - Facilitate a discussion on how different cultures view and interact with food. Prepare students for family interviews to explore ethnic perspectives on food justice and land relationships. (30 min)

Research and Text Analysis Workshop - Guide students in researching food justice topics using various texts. Teach them to identify key details and infer information from the texts. (25 min)

Reflection Journal Entry - Have students reflect on their research findings and discussions about cultural perspectives on food. Encourage them to write about what they learned and any new questions they have. (20 min)

Community Garden Planning - Begin designing the small-scale community garden model. Discuss sustainable materials and the types of plants that would thrive in Elmhurst. (25 min)

Vocabulary Enhancement - Conduct a vocabulary session focused on academic and content-specific terms related to the project. Use engaging activities to reinforce understanding. (20 min)

Introduction to Hydroponics - Provide an overview of hydroponic systems and their benefits for urban agriculture. Discuss how this method can contribute to food justice in Elmhurst. (20 min)

Reflection and Sharing - Students write a journal entry reflecting on their understanding of hydroponics and its potential impact. Allow time for peer sharing and feedback. (25 min)

Food Justice Claims Analysis - Guide students in analyzing texts on food justice, identifying claims and evidence that support the arguments. Discuss how these claims relate to the food justice challenges in Elmhurst. (20 min)

Community Partner Interview Prep - Prepare students for interviews with community partners by discussing effective questioning techniques and the importance of gathering diverse perspectives on food justice. (25 min)

Community Partner Interviews - Facilitate student interviews with community partners to explore food justice in Elmhurst and gather insights for their projects. Encourage students to take detailed notes for reflection. (45 min)

Reflection Journal Entry - Have students reflect on interviews with community partners, focusing on new insights gained and connections to the essential question. Allow time for peer sharing and feedback. (20 min)

Designing the Garden Model - Begin sketching and planning the layout of the small-scale community garden model, discussing sustainable materials and plant selection. Collaborate and brainstorm with peers. (25 min)

Hydroponics System Design - Guide students in drafting designs for their hydroponics system model, emphasizing its role in enhancing food security. Discuss the scientific principles involved and encourage innovative thinking. (25 min)

Peer Review and Feedback - Facilitate a session where students share their garden and hydroponics designs, providing constructive feedback to enhance their ideas and ensure alignment with project goals. (20 min)

Food Justice Research Exploration - Guide students in researching food justice issues within Elmhurst, focusing on identifying key details and logical inferences from texts. (25 min)

Reflection Journal Entry - Have students document their thoughts on food justice topics researched, including personal insights and questions. Allow time for peer sharing. (20 min)

Text Analysis and Discussion - Engage students in analyzing a text related to food justice, focusing on how claims are supported by evidence. Discuss connections to community garden plans. (25 min)

Community Garden Design Session - Continue designing the community garden model, incorporating insights from research and text analysis into planning sustainable practices. (20 min)

Effective Communication Workshop - Teach students how to express ideas clearly and persuasively, using academic and content-specific vocabulary related to food justice. Practice through role-playing activities. (20 min)

Hydroponics System Planning - Begin planning the design of the hydroponics system model, discussing sustainable materials and the benefits of urban agriculture. (25 min)

Reflection and Revision Day - Facilitate a session where students revisit their reflection journals and community garden plans, making connections to the essential question and deepening insights. (25 min)

Peer Feedback and Sharing - Organize a session where students share their garden and hydroponics system plans with peers, receiving feedback and suggestions for improvement. (20 min)

Cultural Food Day Preparation - Organize students into groups to research cultural grocery stores in Elmhurst. Discuss how diverse food traditions contribute to food justice, and plan the logistics for visiting these stores. (25 min)

Reflection Journal Entry - Have students reflect on their understanding of cultural perspectives on food justice and the importance of diverse traditions. Encourage them to write about their expectations for Cultural Food Day. (20 min)

Guided Tour of Cultural Grocery Stores - Take students on a tour of selected cultural grocery stores in Elmhurst. Encourage them to observe food accessibility and speak with store owners about their perspectives on food justice. (45 min)

Discussion and Reflection - Facilitate a discussion on students' observations from the grocery store tour. Encourage them to share insights and how these experiences contribute to their understanding of food justice. (25 min)

Community Garden Model Progress - Continue designing the community garden model. Discuss plant selection based on cultural food traditions and sustainable practices observed during the tour. (20 min)

Hydroponics System Update - Review the hydroponics system model design with students. Encourage them to refine their plans based on feedback and insights from the grocery store tour. Discuss how hydroponics can support food justice in Elmhurst. (25 min)

Reflection Journal Sharing - Allow students to share their journal entries with peers, focusing on the week's experiences and learning. Provide time for feedback and discussion on how their insights are shaping their project work. (20 min)

Community Partner Collaboration - Engage with Greenthumb community partners for a hands-on workshop on sustainable planting practices, helping students connect real-world applications to their community garden model. (45 min)

Text Analysis and Discussion - Analyze excerpts from 'Braiding Sweetgrass' and 'The Lorax' to explore themes of interconnectedness and reciprocity. Discuss how these themes relate to their project on food justice and green spaces. (25 min)

Reflection Journal Entry - Reflect on insights gained from the text analysis and community partner workshop, focusing on personal growth and connections to food justice. (20 min)

Hydroponics System Construction - Begin constructing the hydroponics system model. Discuss sustainable materials and the science behind these systems in promoting urban agriculture. (45 min)

Effective Communication Workshop - Practice expressing ideas clearly and persuasively through role-playing activities related to advocacy for food justice and green spaces. Use academic vocabulary from the project. (20 min)

Community Garden Model Finalization - Finalize the design and construction of the community garden model, incorporating feedback and sustainable practices learned throughout the project. (25 min)

Urban Garden Design Session - Collaborate to finalize the community garden model, incorporating sustainable practices and cultural insights from previous weeks. Discuss the selection of plants indigenous to Elmhurst for increased biodiversity. (20 min)

Reflection Journal Entry - Document thoughts on the garden design process, highlighting personal contributions and connections to food justice and green spaces. Share entries with peers for feedback. (25 min)

Hydroponics System Construction Workshop - Continue building the hydroponics system model, focusing on integrating sustainable materials. Discuss the role of hydroponics in enhancing urban food security. (25 min)

Community Partner Feedback Session - Engage with Greenthumb partners for feedback on garden and hydroponics designs, discussing potential improvements and real-world applications. (20 min)

Persuasive Writing Workshop - Guide students in drafting persuasive letters to local leaders, advocating for food justice and green spaces based on project findings. Use academic language and evidence gathered. (25 min)

Peer Review and Revision - Facilitate a session to review and refine persuasive letters, focusing on clarity, persuasive techniques, and evidence integration. (20 min)

Reflection and Goal-Setting - Reflect on learning progress and project impact in journals, setting personal goals for the remainder of the project. Discuss how actions contribute to community well-being. (20 min)

Gallery Walk Preparation - Plan for an upcoming gallery walk by organizing and displaying project artifacts, including garden models, hydroponics systems, and reflection journals. (25 min)

Community Gardening Workshop - Facilitate a hands-on session in the community garden, where students practice sustainable gardening techniques learned from Greenthumb partners. Discuss plant care and maintenance. (45 min)

Cultural Food Day Planning - Collaborate with students to organize a Cultural Food Day event, focusing on food traditions and their role in food justice. Assign roles for event preparations and presentations. (45 min)

Hydroponics System Refinement - Guide students in refining their hydroponics system model based on feedback from community partners. Discuss the scientific principles and benefits of hydroponics. (25 min)

Reflection Journal Entry - Reflect on the progress of the hydroponics system and community garden model, documenting insights and connections to food justice. Share entries with peers for feedback. (20 min)

Gallery Walk Setup - Organize and display project artifacts, including garden models, hydroponics systems, and reflection journals, in preparation for the Gallery Walk. Discuss presentation strategies and setup. (25 min)

Effective Communication Workshop - Practice presenting project findings and reflections during role-play activities, focusing on clear communication and persuasive techniques. Prepare students for the upcoming Gallery Walk. (20 min)

Reflection Journal Deep Dive - Students reflect on personal and project growth, focusing on insights gained about food justice and community impact. Discuss entries with peers for feedback. (20 min)

Finalizing Garden and Hydroponics Systems - Work in groups to put finishing touches on their community garden models and hydroponics systems, ensuring all elements are functional and align with project goals. (25 min)

Gallery Walk Setup - Organize the classroom to display garden models, hydroponics systems, and reflection journals, preparing for a gallery walk to showcase their work. (20 min)

Communication and Presentation Practice - Students practice presenting their projects and insights to peers, focusing on clear communication and effective use of academic vocabulary. (25 min)

Gallery Walk - Conduct a gallery walk where students present their projects to classmates, providing feedback and discussing each other's work, emphasizing collaboration and learning from peers. (45 min)

Reflection and Revision - Reflect on feedback received during the gallery walk, revisiting project components to make necessary improvements and deepen understanding. (20 min)

Goal Setting for Final Weeks - Set personal and group goals for the remaining project weeks, focusing on enhancing project quality and preparing for the final exhibition. (25 min)

Garden Model Showcase Preparation - Organize and prepare the community garden model for presentation at the upcoming 'Harmony with Nature Festival.' Ensure all sustainable features and plant selections are clearly labeled. (25 min)

Reflection Journal Deep Dive - Guide students in revisiting their reflection journals to identify key learning moments and personal growth related to food justice and green spaces. Encourage them to synthesize these insights into a summary for sharing at the festival. (20 min)

Hydroponics System Final Touches - Assist students in making final adjustments to their hydroponics system model, ensuring all components are functioning and visually appealing for the festival exhibition. (25 min)

Persuasive Presentation Practice - Facilitate practice sessions where students present their persuasive letters and project findings, focusing on clear communication and the use of evidence to advocate for food justice and green spaces. Provide peer feedback to refine their delivery. (20 min)

Art Installation Setup - Collaborate with students to create and set up art installations that reflect the essential question of living harmoniously with plants and animals. Integrate creative elements that highlight their learning journey and community impact. (25 min)

Festival Role Assignment - Assign roles to students for different aspects of the 'Harmony with Nature Festival,' such as welcoming guests, guiding tours of the garden and hydroponics models, and facilitating discussions on food justice. (20 min)

Final Reflection and Sharing - Conduct a reflective session where students share their project experiences and personal growth with peers. Encourage them to discuss how their work contributes to community well-being and future initiatives. (20 min)

Festival Setup Rehearsal - Organize a rehearsal for the festival, ensuring all presentations, exhibitions, and installations are ready. Practice transitions between different segments and troubleshoot any logistical issues. (25 min)

Community Action Plan Development - Collaboratively develop an action plan for presenting food justice and green space proposals to local leaders, integrating insights from research and community partner feedback. (25 min)

Reflection Journal Entry - Reflect on the development process of the community action plan, documenting personal contributions and connections to food justice and green spaces. Share entries with peers for feedback. (20 min)

Finalizing Presentations - Work in groups to finalize presentations for the 'Harmony with Nature Festival,' ensuring clarity, coherence, and alignment with project goals. Incorporate peer and teacher feedback. (25 min)

Role-Playing Practice - Conduct role-playing activities to practice presenting proposals and engaging with community leaders, focusing on effective communication skills and persuasive techniques. (20 min)

Exhibition Setup - Arrange and organize project displays, including garden models, hydroponics systems, and reflection journals, ensuring they are ready for the festival. Focus on aesthetic presentation and accessibility. (25 min)

Peer Review Session - Facilitate a peer review session where students present their finalized proposals and receive constructive feedback to refine their delivery before the festival. (20 min)

Final Rehearsal - Conduct a full rehearsal for the festival presentations, including transitions and audience engagement strategies. Address any last-minute adjustments needed for a successful exhibition. (25 min)

Celebrating Achievements - Host a session to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments and growth of each student throughout the project, fostering a sense of community and shared success. (20 min)

Harmony with Nature Festival Setup - Coordinate the setup of the festival, ensuring the community garden model, hydroponics system, and art installations are displayed effectively. Assign roles and rehearse presentations to ensure smooth transitions. (45 min)

Festival Execution - Conduct the 'Harmony with Nature Festival,' where students present their community garden model, hydroponics systems, and art installations to the Elmhurst community. Facilitate discussions on food justice and green spaces, engaging guests and community partners in dialogue. (45 min)

Festival Reflection and Feedback - Guide students in reflecting on the festival's impact, discussing feedback received from community members and partners. Encourage them to write a reflection journal entry focusing on personal growth and community contributions. (20 min)

Community Action Symposium Preparation - Organize preparation for the symposium, where students will present their persuasive letters and advocacy strategies to local politicians and community leaders. Ensure students are ready to engage in meaningful dialogue on food justice initiatives. (25 min)

Community Action Symposium - Facilitate the symposium where students present their letters and advocacy strategies, fostering dialogue with local leaders on actionable steps to support food justice and green spaces in Elmhurst. Encourage students to articulate their ideas clearly and persuasively. (45 min)