Return

We're back at school and everyone seems happy to be back. We are inside for the most part the next couple of weeks discussing what a scientist is and what scientists study in gardens. It's a good thing, because it is hotter this August than any I can remember. Only one day so far has been under 100 degrees. Life goes on outside even though we who are spoiled by a/c can't imagine living constantly in the heat. We are adapting to the heat technologically, not biologically. Unfortunately we may be making the outside even hotter with our technology.

With the addition of a little water over the summer we have kept wildflowers and vegetables alive and growing. We did have some rain in July which was unusual,then came August with its triple digits. The blackeyed peas and purple hull peas aren't producing too well in this heat, but the okra is thriving. Peppers and tomatoes are hanging on waiting for cooler weather to start setting more fruit.

We have started cabbage, broccoli, and pok choy from seed under shade cloth and now we can get the students out to look after them. They will stay in pots until late September, early October when the weather cools, and the fall rains come.Then we can take out the peas and put the cabbage and broccoli in the ground. Spinach, beets, carrots, and lettuce can all go in also. We will brainstorm with the kids to decide what variables to test in the growing of the fall crops.

I plan to emphasize the concept of home or "ecos" this year. Students should leave Stonewall well aware that there are many other living creatures in the world that need a home. How we humans satisfy our needs affects many others. I have read that extinction of species is proceeding faster now that ever before. Will this dimenish our quality of life? Do we need these lost species for our own survival?

No, we can't answer these questions, but our students can become more sensitive to other life on this planet. Maybe learning empathy toward other organisms will also help us get along with each other. If this is all our students learn, they will be far ahead of the rest.



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