The Edible Schoolyard & A Night in the Global Village

It was interesting to see and listen to Berkeley’s curriculum-based Edible Schoolyard gardening program, located in Berkeley, California connects students with the Earth. The hands on experience and interaction made with the students and teachers was great. They had to think mathematically for the ingredients to be mixed. The children learned the scientific procedure for growing the food. One child may not do well in Math but excel in science and vice-versa, but they could get the challenge and experience to help them want to learn more. The "why and how" of the subjects are good for children. The preparation of the organic garden to the cooking of the food can be a wonderful thing to implement for teachers who have access to a gardening program.

A Night in the Global Village is about an exchange of culture located in Perryville, Arkansas. The Colorado Middle School students gained an experience of how other countries survive in their living conditions.

It seemed at first that the students and parents had to make a plan on whose roles were what and how to really survive. Limited supplies, roles of people and housing was given for this experience. It seemed like the students enjoyed the idea of the experience until some sort of reality set in. The teams pulled together and helped each other, even though things were limited for most. It all goes to show us that we all may need a helping hand at some point in life from each other and how communication is so important.

These two pod casts can be a teaching tool and can be manipulated to a degree to help our students see the magnitude of the blessings they have in and out of school.