Today was an exciting day! We visited the Learning Gardens at Homma Elementary
School, and got to see the power of the outdoors in action. Every hour or so, a
new group of students would come in, ready to weed , water, and eat the plants
they have grown. They were given the choice of various activities including
painting fairy houses, mapping out the garden and completing a puzzle. It was
clear the students were comfortable and experienced in the Garden. Most of them
had been learning in the Garden since Kindergarten, and they spend 2 hours a week
out there. The students could be seen running from across the school yard ready to
cross the street into the Garden. Despite all the incredible activities that the students
School, and got to see the power of the outdoors in action. Every hour or so, a
new group of students would come in, ready to weed , water, and eat the plants
they have grown. They were given the choice of various activities including
painting fairy houses, mapping out the garden and completing a puzzle. It was
clear the students were comfortable and experienced in the Garden. Most of them
had been learning in the Garden since Kindergarten, and they spend 2 hours a week
out there. The students could be seen running from across the school yard ready to
cross the street into the Garden. Despite all the incredible activities that the students
participated in, it was clear the main objective of the Garden was to let kids be kids.
All throughout the day, the students engaged in “Risky Play”. There was very minimum
intervention from adults as students were able to negotiate, problem solve,
self regulate and develop their social emotional learning on their own. As mentioned
by the Garden coordinator Megan, students are given the platform to learn, and the
best way to learn is from your mistakes. Students are building forts, playing in the mud
kitchen, using hammers and nails, and even playing with a makeshift catapult. The
purpose of all of this is to allow kids to explore their environment and learn from one
another away in a way that is not possible in a regular classroom. In a time when children
rarely go outside and do not know how to actually play, this is a welcomed change. Not
only are the students getting fresh air, but they are learning valuable life skills.
by the Garden coordinator Megan, students are given the platform to learn, and the
best way to learn is from your mistakes. Students are building forts, playing in the mud
kitchen, using hammers and nails, and even playing with a makeshift catapult. The
purpose of all of this is to allow kids to explore their environment and learn from one
another away in a way that is not possible in a regular classroom. In a time when children
rarely go outside and do not know how to actually play, this is a welcomed change. Not
only are the students getting fresh air, but they are learning valuable life skills.
Today was evidence enough that using the outdoors as a space for learning has
multiple beneficial outcomes. Tying in any sort of curriculum with the Garden is not
as difficult as it may seem, and it leaves a more lasting impression on the students.
Simple activities such as reading poetry or stories is an elevated experience outside.
Learning about plants and animals is much more interesting when you can actually
see the plants and animals. Math has a practical use in the Garden, as opposed to
punching numbers in a calculator. The Homma Learning Garden proved all these
things are possible, as well as allowing kids to learn vital skills that more often than not,
are neglected in a classroom.
multiple beneficial outcomes. Tying in any sort of curriculum with the Garden is not
as difficult as it may seem, and it leaves a more lasting impression on the students.
Simple activities such as reading poetry or stories is an elevated experience outside.
Learning about plants and animals is much more interesting when you can actually
see the plants and animals. Math has a practical use in the Garden, as opposed to
punching numbers in a calculator. The Homma Learning Garden proved all these
things are possible, as well as allowing kids to learn vital skills that more often than not,
are neglected in a classroom.
Welcome to the Garden!
Students enjoying some fresh kale
Students picking and eating some radishes
Students engaging in "risky play"
Students cooking in the mud kitchen
Student building a fort
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