The project is developed in a secondary school as a part of an optional subject called Ecoterra in 3rd ESO. We have a group of 7 students who previously weren’t successful in their formal learning (because of misbehaviour, insufficient knowledge of the common language or because of demotivation).
We have created a garden with both a utilitarian and esthetical function.
Objetivos
This is good practice for any group, for the following reasons:
- Promotes group cohesion and task sharing.
- Creates a vision of the potential usefulness of a garden as a source of food.
- Involves a preliminary design work that promotes other skills (teaching areas) in addition to those related to agriculture.
- Promotes respect for the land and the environment.
Materiales
Aplicación
Evaluación
The project is being carried out at the present moment, so we can’t give an overview of the whole practice.
Still, we can say that the steps already taken in the first term of the course were satisfactory because the majority of students have passed this evaluable subject. So far, the experience seems to respond to the aims set. Their efforts have been recognized and this is very important for them.
Consejos
AIMS: It is a vehicle to promote:
- Education in the social skills, collaborative work and development of a sense of responsibility as well as personal autonomy.
- Fun while working and learning.
- Help the environmental culture, sustainability and appreciation of biodiversity.
- Contemplation of gardening and organic farming as a possible way to make a living.
OUTCOMES
Students like this different way of working at school. They are more motivated than at first.
- They develop the capacity of observation and start to value teamwork, the distribution of tasks, and the importance of scheduling.
- They learn about plants in a experimental way: parts, life cycle, nutrition, reproduction ... at the same time that the basic abilities.
