My experience at Orchard Garden has been both incredibly relaxing and deeply eye-opening.
Over the course of my CFE, I was introduced to land-based and outdoor learning in meaningful and practical ways. Through visits to local schools, conversations with educators, and time spent in community local gardens, I’ve come to appreciate the many possibilities that outdoor learning offers...not just for science or ecology, but as a powerful intersection between subjects like art, social studies, social emotional , math and language learning.. etc
One of the most impactful takeaways for me has been realizing how gardens can function as living classrooms. Whether through informal plant identification walks around the school or by starting and maintaining a class garden, I now see many ways to bring outdoor learning into my future teaching practice. These experiences have inspired me to think creatively about how to connect students to the land in a way that fosters curiosity, observation, and care.
This week, our small team focused on planning for the upcoming Saturday workshop at the garden. I've been drying buttercups and experimenting with handmade paper in preparation, and I’m genuinely excited to share this work with the community. It looks like we’ll have a good turnout, and I’m looking forward to teaching this workshop!
Overall, this CFE has expanded my understanding of what teaching can look like when rooted in place and grounded in relationships. I’m leaving this experience with new tools, ideas, and inspiration that I plan to carry forward into my own classroom.
I definitely will visit the orchard garden again!
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