School news:
As you are aware, with the help of the local community, the
school has embarked on a plan to replace the unused grass area near the old
classrooms into a community garden. It is hoped that the school will be able to
employ a specialist garden teacher within the next two years if the project is
found to be viable for the long-term.
How they are learning:
The Year 4 cohort was asked to brainstorm ideas of how they
can assist in the implementation of the new garden to make it sustainable for
the environment. Students came up with a range of ideas, however developing a
school compost system to support the garden was chosen overall. In collaborative
learning groups they needed to conduct research to answer the following:
1.
What can be put
into compost?
2.
Equipment needed?
3.
How often it needed to be collected/turned over?
4.
What is compost used for? How does it work?
This learning was supported by an excursion to our local
garden centre, where students spent time talking to the garden specialists
about the importance of compost. Did you know that compost improves the flavour
of fruit and vegetables? Ask your child about the other interesting facts they
found out.
Students have explored:
·
What sustainability is.
·
What people can do to keep the earth healthy so
the planet can support humans and other living things.
·
How different views about sustainability can
influence/affect the environment.
Upcoming event: Students will be presenting their plans to the school in the assembly on Friday 30th October. Contact the office or myself for further details.
Curriculum goals:
Geography will be the main-focus with Science, Numeracy and
Literacy subjects being embedded throughout the unit. General Capabilities and
Cross- Curricular Priorities will also be included with sustainability being the
standout of the latter.
Why it is important:
·
Develops student knowledge, skills, values and
world views on how to act and contribute to sustainable living.
·
Helps communities to reflect on how they can
support a sustainable environment for the future.
·
Environment, social and economic strains, such
as climate change require countries to work together to stop/slow down the
effects this is having on the earth. “This is done by teaching scientific
concepts and principles to our children to allow students to approach
problem-solving in new creative ways.
Supporting learning:
Consider collecting your food scraps to start a compost
system at home.
Volunteer in the new garden to help support your child’s authentic
learning experience.
