School Gardens
This past week I have been volunteering at the University of British Columbia Orchard Garden as part of my Bachelor of Education Community Field Experience.
This week we’ve been introduced to food safe procedures (handling, preparing, and storing) and how to go about cooking and using food in schools and classrooms. We had an introduction to musical storytelling and the benefits of learning through various art forms, such as song, drama, and drawing. During my practicum I often used drama and skits as a way for the students to represent and illustrate their learning and understanding. My primary students used tableau during our poetry unit and my intermediate students gravitated to drama to illustrate many scientific concepts. During our musical storytelling workshop, John Ames consistently reminded us how important movement is in learning. I deeply connect with this philosophy.
“Draw me a story” activity
“Draw me a story”: this activity was a real treat. We had 50 minutes of silent work time in the garden to just draw a story of relationships and partnerships that you find in a garden space.
This was very ‘Montessori’ for me as I sprawled myself on a mat and worked in the ‘flow’ for the entire 50 minutes. It was incredibly powerful to have time in the middle of the afternoon, outdoors to process and be. As a group, we then combined our drawings and sequenced them into a story, which could lead to a collaborative performance or soundscape. Drawing in the garden or just outdoors in a natural space in this way can give children, adults, and educators a chance to observe more closely.
We learned about the process of starting a school garden and the challenges and rewards that come along with it. Antonia Lazarova gave us a step-by-step recount of her experience starting a school garden in North Vancouver. This was very inspiring as seems very accessible, with some hard work, resources and support to start a school garden! I am excited to start a school garden, wherever that may be, that can be used as an amazing and influential teaching tool, as well as a potential food source for the school.
Stories on the side of the garden fence that illustrate how people connect to food differently. Sustainability and buying local aren’t always in everybody’s budget. Inspiring and enlightening stories from Vancouver residents.
We visited Roots on the Roof with Brendan; this community garden is already quite bountiful with many vegetables! Being in the garden allowed for us to realize the many teachable moments that come with being there.
Amazing growth in the Roots on the Roof Garden! This garden is located on the roof of the Student Union Building at UBC Vancouver. This garden is teeming with growth already!
Learning and weeding in the Roots on the Roof Garden with my fellow teacher candidates during our CFE volunteer experience.
I was able to connect our discussion and brainstorm of our ideal school gardens within the physical garden space. I was able to see how easy it would be to show students how satisfying growing vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers can be!