HS Spanish Learns That “He Who Sows, Reaps”

In Spanish IV, students learned the importance of native corn products in Mexico, the effects of NAFTA on small-scale agriculture, the Milpa, and sustainable types of protein like cuy, chapulines, and conejos. Then, students were asked to design their own farms as a 3D poster. They had to demonstrate how they could feed their own families with or without the use of pesticides. Students also learned about all the processes of MILPA farming and sustainability. 

As part of the unit ("El que siembra cosecha" / He who sows, reaps), the class was also required to present to their classmates a sustainable farm system in a 3D model that could feed their own family and help take care of the environment. As they were presenting, their peers engaged them with questions about their presentations. The students were very invested in the project and were able to communicate many ideas, reflecting on the impact they can have in the environment they live in. 

Some students shared how much they learned about farming throughout the unit.

Senior Siyeon Lee said, “Honestly, I didn’t know very much about farming since I was not very interested in it. However, I learned so much about Latin American culture and special farming practices like MILPA after this lesson.”

Senior Elizabeth Cha learned about how agricultural products are used, saying, “I was surprised to learn that corn husks could be used to create art and that we could utilize food scraps for things other than food.”