“When you’re out in the garden, every day offers a new lesson,” Pemberton (n.d) cited in Footman,1943)
Step-by-step gardening for students
By Samantha Cromar
The aim of this program:
I have worked with children for many years, teaching them to be responsible humans, to look after the planet and everything that is on it. When reviewing many of the sustainable options for schools, I have found that growing plants to eat and looking after animals that provide us with food, are the most beneficial natural products for young people.
It is important to get the students away from modern technology, get outside in the fresh air. You can do this by giving the children access to a garden and help to look after animals, this will allow their basic needs to be fulfilled, to grow and nurture nature (Hendy, 2011).
Building these gardens and learning to take care of living animals will give students more confidence in their science classes at school. They learn about delayed gratification when we encourage them to wait one more week to pick that tomato, and perhaps most importantly, they learn the value of trying new things—whether it’s digging in the dirt with their bare hands or tasting a funny-looking new vegetable”. (Hendy, 2011).
This plan will enable children to work in a team, investigate new and exciting ideas, explore the world and what is in it and learn to appreciate what is put on their plates.
It is important to get the students away from modern technology, get outside in the fresh air. You can do this by giving the children access to a garden and help to look after animals, this will allow their basic needs to be fulfilled, to grow and nurture nature (Hendy, 2011).
Building these gardens and learning to take care of living animals will give students more confidence in their science classes at school. They learn about delayed gratification when we encourage them to wait one more week to pick that tomato, and perhaps most importantly, they learn the value of trying new things—whether it’s digging in the dirt with their bare hands or tasting a funny-looking new vegetable”. (Hendy, 2011).
This plan will enable children to work in a team, investigate new and exciting ideas, explore the world and what is in it and learn to appreciate what is put on their plates.
Action Plan Steps:
Step one:Meeting with all relevant stakeholders and the sustainability action plan crew.
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Step two:
Work out costings with the sustainability officer , water consumption person, administrator, teacher and school principle regarding
- electricity - water - materials - art supplies Work out a volunteer group to get the garden beds made and the chicken coop up and running. |
Step three:
Build garden beds with irrigation.
Build chicken coop. Order supplies - fertiliser/ soil - art supplies (signs etc.) - seedlings/ plants - 10 chickens / food - containers for each class for left over fruit break food for chickens, compost bins and worm farm. - worm farm materials - compost bins |
Gardening safety
Hands and feet- When possible, it is important for students to wear protective footwear and gloves to reduce the chance of cuts, abrasions and skin irritations. Washing hands is essential once returning to class, especially before eating.
It is important to note what plants may be poisonous and look at child allergies before handling the plants Hendy, 2011). |
Harvesting your fruit and vegetables |
What type of soil do you have? |
Once the sustainability action plan team have decided on the fruit and vegetables they want to plant the gardener will work out a harvesting plan and then communicate this to the students, teachers and the tuck-shop.
With this a maintenance schedule will be implemented. This will include the watering, weeding and presentation of the plants. It will be the gardeners responsibility to fertilise the plants and ensure all the irrigation is properly working. Build a worm farm! |
This clip would be great to show in a science class.
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Why not build a chicken coop.
Recent News
THE STUDENTS HAVE GAINED MANY LIFE SKILLS!
This project has been a fantastic way to promote group work within in the school and the community. People involved in this project have gained many life skills. This week 4B have worked with the prep children, showing them ways to look after plants and also were asked to give a talk to the preppies about the importance of healthy eating. The children loved being part of this exciting project and being part of a whole school community. A little bit of history...The children's Brooklyn Botanical Gardens in 1931.
This was the world's first children's public botanic garden and has been a model for schools and other institutions around the globe. Founded in 1914 by a school teacher named Ellen Eddy Shaw. She bought life and joy to the hustle and bustle of a city. Children were given ownership over parts of land and allowed to plant and harvest their own crops. This is a great way for students to work in groups to cultivate plants. Children learnt about life cycle of a plant and participate in special. Schnabolk, 2015. |
Well done grade 3B students! This is just some one of the fantastic designs from the design and technology subject. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK STUDENTS!
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Reference
Footman, D. (1943). Pemberton. London: Cresset Press.
Google images. (2016). Gardening for school students. Retrived from https://www.google.com.au/search? q=gardening+for+school+students&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwihoMe7yvvMAhVCjJQKHa9VBpIQ_AUIBygB&biw=1680&bih=925
Hendy, J. (2011). Kids First Gardening book. The Ultimate Step-by-Step (2nd Ed.), First published 2010. Leicestershire: Anness Publishing.
Schnabolk, L. (2015). NUTRITION NOW. Kiwi, 20.
Footman, D. (1943). Pemberton. London: Cresset Press.
Google images. (2016). Gardening for school students. Retrived from https://www.google.com.au/search? q=gardening+for+school+students&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwihoMe7yvvMAhVCjJQKHa9VBpIQ_AUIBygB&biw=1680&bih=925
Hendy, J. (2011). Kids First Gardening book. The Ultimate Step-by-Step (2nd Ed.), First published 2010. Leicestershire: Anness Publishing.
Schnabolk, L. (2015). NUTRITION NOW. Kiwi, 20.