Bianca Burton (Bachelor of Arts in Sports, Health and Physical Education)
How could we make a difference in the lives of our students? This was the hot topic during our discussions when our pod group was deciding what we would do for our culminating project for the education program. After several meetings, we agreed upon “Our Heritage Garden”. The key focus was that we wanted to engage students in experiential learning about aboriginal culture in the outdoors.
After we agreed upon garden, our next task was to delegate duties to each member of our pod group. My role was the liaison between principal and our group, as well as to be in charge of the technological aspect of our project (e.g. website and photos). What amazed me was how even though we had all been given a specific task for which we were responsible, our group jumped right in and helped each other out with their tasks. Meetings with the elders on campus that were delegated to one person were often completed in a small group. On the technological side, I received assistance from my group mates who were eager to help me to take many of the beautiful photos which can be viewed our photos section.
There were a few points during our project where we were required to modify our project. We needed to create something that would last and a few of our ideas would have been short-lived before they were destroyed by water damage. We wanted to create something beautiful for our students in addition to the garden. The answer was the friendship bench. As a part of the garden, a friendship bench was created. A friendship bench is a place where a student can sit when they are not sure who to play with. When the other students see someone sitting there, they can then go and invite them to play with them. The point of the friendship bench is to foster a community.
Despite the incredible time I had with the members in my pod as we eagerly created our project, nothing can compare to the feeling I had while the students reacted to the garden we built. We started the “Our Heritage Garden” on a school day. When the bell rang for lunchtime recess, the students flooded the playground and were very curious about what we were doing. For the entirety of recess, we had a small crowd of students watching us in awe asking many questions about the process of our project. The next day we returned to unveil the garden at an assembly, but first, we wanted to make a few finishing touches. Before the students entered the building, several of them stood around and watched again, inviting parents to view the garden as well. We were told stories of how the students looked at the garden again after class the day before. When we announced the “Our Heritage Garden” during the assembly the students seemed very excited, eagerly raising their hands in response to questions asked of them. After the assembly, on our way outside I hopped behind a young girl who excitedly announced “Yay! More teachers!” and continued to thank us four times for the garden. When the classes viewed the garden, the students enthusiastically placed their hands in the soil and gently touched the leaves of the plants. We could not have been met by a better reaction.
It is my hopes to continue projects like this again in the future. After seeing the smiles in response to this garden, it gives me the desire to continue on with this kind of work. I want all students to know that they are valued and that there are people out there who care about them.
Please click here to look at my e-portfolio.
After we agreed upon garden, our next task was to delegate duties to each member of our pod group. My role was the liaison between principal and our group, as well as to be in charge of the technological aspect of our project (e.g. website and photos). What amazed me was how even though we had all been given a specific task for which we were responsible, our group jumped right in and helped each other out with their tasks. Meetings with the elders on campus that were delegated to one person were often completed in a small group. On the technological side, I received assistance from my group mates who were eager to help me to take many of the beautiful photos which can be viewed our photos section.
There were a few points during our project where we were required to modify our project. We needed to create something that would last and a few of our ideas would have been short-lived before they were destroyed by water damage. We wanted to create something beautiful for our students in addition to the garden. The answer was the friendship bench. As a part of the garden, a friendship bench was created. A friendship bench is a place where a student can sit when they are not sure who to play with. When the other students see someone sitting there, they can then go and invite them to play with them. The point of the friendship bench is to foster a community.
Despite the incredible time I had with the members in my pod as we eagerly created our project, nothing can compare to the feeling I had while the students reacted to the garden we built. We started the “Our Heritage Garden” on a school day. When the bell rang for lunchtime recess, the students flooded the playground and were very curious about what we were doing. For the entirety of recess, we had a small crowd of students watching us in awe asking many questions about the process of our project. The next day we returned to unveil the garden at an assembly, but first, we wanted to make a few finishing touches. Before the students entered the building, several of them stood around and watched again, inviting parents to view the garden as well. We were told stories of how the students looked at the garden again after class the day before. When we announced the “Our Heritage Garden” during the assembly the students seemed very excited, eagerly raising their hands in response to questions asked of them. After the assembly, on our way outside I hopped behind a young girl who excitedly announced “Yay! More teachers!” and continued to thank us four times for the garden. When the classes viewed the garden, the students enthusiastically placed their hands in the soil and gently touched the leaves of the plants. We could not have been met by a better reaction.
It is my hopes to continue projects like this again in the future. After seeing the smiles in response to this garden, it gives me the desire to continue on with this kind of work. I want all students to know that they are valued and that there are people out there who care about them.
Please click here to look at my e-portfolio.