Circles

As part of their primary education children learn about geometric shapes. The circle being the easiest because it is easily applied to handwriting, art, and math. It is rather curious that regardless of the activity, people move into this most comfortable shape. A circle can be defined as a group of people bound together by a common interest, activity, or achievement.
Our school garden encompasses this definition. Eventually the students form large or small circles to share their discoveries or joys.
One of this year's achievements in first grade was the hatching of 10 Cayuga ducks. Honestly we could not tell them apart except for Wilbur. He was the runt and became our favorite, yet the students constantly debated the characteristics of the group. We created special journals just to document their activity. Once again journaling became important and individual styles rejoiced.
Such unique activities promote writing, vocabulary, and critical thinking. The children were able to focus for amazing amounts of time just predicting behavior. Innovative education will lead to greater results than just textbook applications. Children that have opportunities to have multi-sensory experiences achieve higher results.
Our experience with nature up close moved this class closer than ever to being stewards of our natural world.
Barbara Uskovich
(photos: Barbara Uskovich)

Journaling/Documenting

When the garden first began, and up until a few years ago, the documenting of data collection was a rote activity. Students from all classes were required to gather ground/air temperature, identification of clouds, plant growth, checking rain gauges, and any insect activity.
Not only have the students evolved with their journals, as well as with the growth of our garden, the educators as well. Student excitement elicits innovations that are curated by their teachers. Over the last few years teachers and their students have promoted individual styles of documentation. Students now have less restrictions on their movements in the garden, but higher expectations with their journals because as a community we are learning and evolving together.
My personal expectations, because of daily visits, have included time of day, personal feelings, illustrations from three different view points, and the willingness of getting dirty to achieve the ultimate observations.
Evolution can be inspiring: we have ripped lids off water boxes to find the largest and slimiest slugs, laid flat on our stomachs to see the petals of legumes up close, and relaxed wearing cowboy hats while lounging on a boulder under a cedar tree to record our personal views.
Students have come to trust their natural instincts and know that they will not be criticized for personal views, but that their journals will be the model. What a proud moment for all naturalist.
Barbara Uskovich
(photos: Barbara Uskovich)