Urban Agriculture 2014-2015 Mr. Spence
Grow, Cook, Eat, Sell, Research, Connect
Course Goals: To learn how to grow your own food, to learn why you would want to do this, and to learn
how to prepare and cook the food you’ve grown. You will also choose and complete a research project
on a topic of your choice to explore an area of personal interest related to the content of the class.
Topics Include:
Principals of plant biology, soil science and permaculture
Current trends in urban agriculture and the local and slow food movements
Comparison of industrial agriculture and sustainable agriculture
Entrepreneurship and marketing in farmer’s markets
Cooking techniques to make healthy food enjoyable and attractive
Individual research project to explore a particular area of your own personal interest
Course Methodology:
This class is about learning through doing. Although there will be a few lectures, most days will be spent
working in the garden, cooking in the classroom, working on your research project and planning for
market or events. Participation and cooperation is expected.
Supplies and Equipment You Will Need:
 Three-ring binder ( 1inch to 1.5 inch)
 Spiral notebook with paper that can be removed
 Pens or pencils
 Old pair of shoes and/or rubber boots (for garden work)
Classroom expectations:
 Respect yourself, your peers, your instructors and your school
 Arrive on time each day
 Be prepared for class with materials with all work completed
 All cell phones and electronics must be off and may not appear at any time
 Clean-up after yourself
 Be an active participant in your education
Grading System:
Major Grade 70%: Tests, labs, research projects, the home-garden, unique contributions.
Minor Grades 30%: participation, completing assigned duties, written activities, quizzes, etc.
Some grades will be paper/pencil traditional grades and others will be performance challenges
(demonstrating correct techniques or correct explanation of something).
Research Project: design, implementing and concluding a project takes place all year with multiple
assessment points each six weeks. The research proposal is due in December and the completed
project is due in April whereby the results are presented to the community and your peers. These will be
final exam grades.
Each six weeks, there will be check-point assignments to help you complete the research project. The
check points will be individual daily and/or major grades which will also be combined each six weeks into
a daily grade.
Farmers Markets: Students are expected to attend one farmers market with our class each semester and
help us sell our produce and the things we make. Additionally, students will visit a farmers market each
semester on their own time and compose a report about the experience. Both of these assignments are
major grades.
Home Garden: Students will also design and install a space for a home garden that includes at all times
at least 3 edible plants (fruit, vegetable and/or herb)l. Students will email photos and a report to the
teacher each six weeks to earn this major grade.
Unique Contributions: Each six weeks students are challenged to make a contribution to the program
that supports it in some way. There are many needs of a research garden program many of which must
be met outside of the class period. Students are capable in helping to make their program function.
Tasks include assisting in garden maintenance, construction/repairs, acquisition of materials,
development of media, coordination of resources or operating a promotional booth/farmer’s market stand.
The contribution may vary each six weeks and students choose how they contribute. For their
assistance, a major grade is assigned.
Electronics:
Per the Westside Way Handbook, all electronic devices (phones, Ipods, headphones, etc) must be
turned-off and put-away during instructional time unless instructor has made an exception for classrelated use. If an electronic device is seen during instructional time, it can be confiscated by any school
personnel and submitted to the office. Failure to comply or repeated use will result in a call home and a
discipline referral.
**IF CELL PHONES APPEAR DURING QUIZZES OR TESTS: the security of the assessment instrument
has been compromised. Therefore, you will receive a zero on the assessment.
You may retake tests only for a maximum grade of 80%.
Absences and Make-up work
It is your responsibility to find out what you have missed. Check the calendar posted on class website to
find out what you missed. When you are absent from class (excused), you have the same number of
days to make-up/submit the work without a loss of points.
Westside Re-take/Re-do Policy
If you earn less than an 75% on a major grade* (test, project or lab**) you may be eligible to re-take/re-do
it for a maximum of 80% provided that you meet the following criteria:
 Have previously completed and submitted all previous work pertaining to the major grade (i.e.
homework, classwork, pre-labs, research, etc.)
 You attend at least one tutorial
 The tutorial and retake/redo must be completed within one week of the assignment being posted
on Gradespeed
*This policy does not apply to final exams. ** Some projects of labs may not be eligible for re-do
Late Work Policy
Late work is accepted under the following conditions:
 Daily work submitted the following class period for a maximum of 80%. After one class period it
is worth a maximum of 50%. Work not turned in will earn a zero.
 Major grades (projects, labs) are reduced 5% each day until submitted.
 Major grades not turned in will earn a zero.
What is on the class website?
Our class website has copies of the calendar, lecture notes, project guidelines and some worksheets.
Use this when you are absent. Go to www.westsidewolves.org  “Faculty” on the menu bar “Staff” on
the drop-down menu Spence, Lawrence on the Staff List Lesson Plans
Tutorials
S216: Tuesday 3:30-4:15 PM; Wednesday during Lunch; other times by appointment
Conference Period and Contact Information
3rd period 9:50 AM-10:40 AM, Mon/Tue/Fri and 9:30-11:10 AM on Wednesdays.
Email is the best way to reach me lspence@houstonisd.org, Office phone# is 281.920.8000 ext. 6178
Student Safety and Participation Contract
Please read this contract with your child. Safety is job 1 in our science laboratory and in
field work. Before your child can participate in lab activities or field work this year, this
form must be sign by both of you. I will keep this form on file in my office this year.
Student Safety Contract
I WILL:
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Follow all instructions given by the teacher.
Protect eyes, face, hands, and body when involved in science experiments.
Dress appropriately for field work.
Clean and dry my lab work area at the end of the lab.
Wash my hands after each lab experiment.
Know where to get help fast.
Know the location of fist aid, eye wash, fire blanket, and fire extinguisher.
Conduct myself in a responsible manner at all times and participate appropriately.
Before I participate in any science experiments, I will be instructed in the lab safety and
emergency techniques needed. I understand and agree to follow the lab safety
regulations set forth above. I am aware that my safety and the safety of my classmates
depend on my behavior in the laboratory. If my behavior fails to meet these standards, I
understand that the teacher will remove me from the lab and will give me a 0 for the lab
grade. With this in mind, I will closely follow the oral and written instructions provided by
my teacher and/or the school administration.
Date ____________________
Student printed name _____________________________________ Period _______
Student signature ______________________________________________________
Parent printed name ____________________________________________________
Parent signature _______________________________________________________
Parent’s Daytime phone: _________________________________________________
Best time to reach you by phone:___________________________________________
Parent email: __________________________________________________________