AAUW One Book Service Ideas

AAUW Promotes One Book One Community Program

The Fremont Chapter of the American Association of University Women has adopted Barbara Kingsolver's book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle for the 2009-2010 community book read program. Schools are invited to join in the creation and implementation of service-learning projects related to the book's theme of eating healthy, environmentally responsible, locally grown foods. Here are some ideas to help get you started.

Service Project Ideas
* Help organize and host community book read discussion groups
* Develop, plant & maintain school and community gardens
* Produce a seasonal cookbook for locally grown vegetables
* Participate in food policy development

History/Geography Content Connections
* Investigate local agricultural heritage
* Map the location of community gardens (geography)
* Compare victory gardens of the 20th century with current interest in gardening
* Engage in food policy discussions (school lunch, Child Nutrition Reauthorization)
* Study the costs of producing and distributing food (econ)

Health/Nutrition Content Connections
* Compare nutrition of fast food, inner/outer grocery store aisles, farmers' market
* Learn how to can and preserve foods in the fall.

English Language Arts Content Connections
* Write donation request letters to support school and community gardens
* Produce a local seasonal cookbook
* Read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle & support community book discussions
* Students might read Seedfolks By Paul Fleischman to gain inspiration: "Through thirteen interconnected short stories we meet a diverse urban community. One by one, people of varying ages and backgrounds transform a city lot that is filled with garbage into a productive, beautiful garden. In the process, they each grow. 69pp: gr 5-10"

Science Content Connections
* Study the classification of edible plants
* Study the area's microclimates and produce a seasonal planting guide
* Calculate greenhouse gas emmisions associated with different types of agriculture
* Analyze local soils

Additional resources for the One Book, One Community Project can be found at:
http://aauwfremontbranch.org/onebook.html

More from Animal, Vegetable, Miracle:
http://www.animalvegetablemiracle.com/

Math Content Connections
* Calculate areas and plan usage of community gardens
* Calculate yields
* Develop a budget for creating and maintaining a community garden
* Analyze growth rates of plants using a range of inputs (water, fertilizer, sun)
* Identify optimal inputs to maximize yields

To add an idea to this list, contact:
Nate Ivy: nivy@acoe.org

Art Content Connections
* Produce still-life studies celebrating local crops
* Work with local farmers' markets to provide student entertainment at markets
* Participate in the Empty Bowls project to raise money for fresh foods at shelters

Other resources:

Sat. Oct. 17 10-11 a.m. Dale Hardware, 37100 Post St., Fremont

Fri. Oct. 23 2-3 p.m. The Nile Café, 121 I St., Fremont

Wed. Oct . 28 10-11 a.m. Regan Nursery, 4268 Decoto Rd., Fremont

Thu. Nov. 12 7-8 p.m. Barnes and Noble, 3900 Mowry, Fremont

Thu. Nov. 19 10-11 a.m. Paddy’s Coffee House, 3900 Smith St., Union City.

Fri. Nov. 20 7-8 p.m. Borders, 39210 Fremont Hub, Fremont

Tue. Nov. 24 10-11 p.m. Niles Library, 150 I St., Fremont

Wed. Dec. 2 2-3 p.m. Kaiser Library, 39400 Paseo Padre Pkwy., Fremont

Wed. Dec. 9 7-8 p.m. Half Price Books, 43473 Boscel Rd., Fremont

Mon. Dec. 14 7-8 p.m. Fremont Main Library, 2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont

News:

On Tuesday, Nov. 10, 7 PM, at City Council Chambers, Mayor Wasserman will issue a Proclamation to the City of Fremont announcing the adoption of this book as a city-wide read. We are really excited about this and would like to invite you to participate with us if you can.

On November 18, 2009, Barbara Kingsolver, author of Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and many other bestsellers, will be speaking about her newest novel, The Lacuna, at 7 pm at the Menlo-Atherton High School Performing Arts Center in Menlo Park, CA. Kepler’s Books in sponsoring this free, limited seating event.