TODAY IS WORK SHOP DAY!!! After working hard all week the CFE students were ready to take over the orchard gardens monthly work shop.
We kept the structure similar to most workshops with 2 activities and of course a big lunch. The workshop had many lovely guests who were vary eager to participate and engage with our learning garden.
Activity one, Story Stones, was run by Rylie, Rob and Evelyn. They helped everyone learn the story of the orchard garden and other gardens on campus. We then got to share our own garden stories, then creatively transfer them on to bricks with paint. Some even used natural paint applicator they could find in the garden. Many story’s were told, here are a few:
Listening closes to the story of the orchard garden.
As a child they believed there was only the honey bee; after spending time at the orchard garden this proved to be untrue. The orchard garden itself is home to so many different types of bees.
One was about the growth see in the garden over the course of the last 3 weeks of CFE and how the garden has literally blossomed before our eyes.
Another about how no mater how small the orchard garden if forced to get, it still thrives.
And finally of course how much we as a group have learned during CFE from the gardens care takers.
Sharing the stories of their stones
Once everyone was done, we all wondered the garden and found a place to ‘plant’ our stones.
Next we moved onto our second activity, botanical brews. Led by Alexa, Anoop, and Aman, this activity got the participants exploring the garden looking and learning about the herds found in the garden. These herbs included lemon balm, mint, sage, fennel, rosemary, and dandelion. We all learned about how to find the herbs and medicinal properties of them all.
Herbs picked and ready for brewing
We picked a small amount of each of these, as well as some kale and headed for lunch. First we brewed teas from each of the herbs for a taste test. Then we paired up and helped to create a big group lunch.
Five Herb teas ready for tasting
Today’s recipes for lunch included Hummus, Salsa, Smoky Salmorejo soup, and Quinoa Salad with Roasted Sweet Potato, Kale from our garden & Pesto Vinaigrette.
Fresh made humus and bread from The Bread Affair!
Everyone seated and ready for a well deserved meal!
The CFE experience at the orchard garden has allowed the Teacher Candidates to learn about many different aspects of gardening. We learned about what a teaching and learning garden is, the many forms it takes, and how to create one at your school. The teacher candidates through this workshop were even able to try their hand at using the garden as a learning space.
The planing and work that went into creating this workshop was well worth it as everyone was engaged and happy to be outdoors. Much like the TCs felt on their first days the change of venue from offices and classrooms is very refreshing and seems to allow brains to rejuvenate and be ready for playing and learning. This will be a great tool to bring back to the classroom. We have all learned the value of having time outdoors and how to use this time to our advantage as teachers across many subject areas.
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