During our latest workshops, the children engaged in a group discussion. We compiled a list on the board of all the topics we have delved into to take action to enhance our life bubble within the natural and physical world. We have discussed how this deeper exploration has contributed to our understanding of our life experiences with humans, animals, insects, and trees within our school communities.
Over the past three terms, the children have actively participated in meaningful initiatives. Some highlights include redesigning and getting ready to replant the courtyard garden with native plants, creating bug hotels, establishing a home for possums, building birdhouses, being involved in a whole school recycling program, starting a composting project, and working together to save trees. They have also been learning about common urban animals and how to protect and care for them. Additionally, we discussed urban animals and explored ways to care for them if they get injured. The children researched a wildlife rescue kit based on a design brief. They then shared the design brief with others and devised the steps to create the kit.
The children have been working hard to finalise the cost, plant selection, and placement of the plants for the courtyard.
Action Plan For Courtyard Garden:
Soil regeneration is important. We need to compost two weeks before planting, as suggested by Fifi.
Elliot mentioned that people’s lunch boxes will help fill the compost.
Alberto asked where we would get the compost, and he suggested looking around near the kitchen garden.
Frankie emphasised that we all need to weed by hand.
Finn advised pulling the weeds out and ensuring the roots come out because they will grow back.
We must also consider the necessary tools for planting holes, such as a fork, shovel, spoons, hands, ruler, gloves, and measuring tape.
Lastly, we must know how to transfer the plant from the pot to the garden. It’s important to ensure the hole is big enough, carefully untangle the roots using a fork, and water the plant.
Let’s start taking action in the garden!
Weeding Action in the garden
The children have been creating landscape maps of the courtyard in preparation for planting. This project stems from their interest in the courtyard space. In the coming weeks, students will discuss courtyard designs and plant types and work in small groups to conduct research. They are learning to be persistent, seek depth in knowing and knowing how, and reflect on interconnected elements of the courtyard.
We made a list of all the animals you would find in the urban courtyard Habitat.
Children design a Wildlife rescue kit using a brief and created a list of items that you would need to take care of an injuried animal.
Finally, we typed up our persuasive texts on Saving the Trees!
Save trees because we will not be able to live without the trees. They give clean air. – Ismo
Save the trees because they give you oxygen and food and provide shelter to cool the planet and animals down. – Elliot
Book Week Reading is Magic!
Reading books and wearing costumes was so magical this book week! Well done, everyone. What an enjoyable day!