BP6_D_Thornton_ Service_Learning_Project_Update_113009

After a lively conversation with Roxanne, I have chosen to focus in on one particular project for my service learning Action Research Project.

I am working with my Peace Jam students to develop an urban garden where the students will be able to learn and apply their classroom knowledge and learning towards planning and maintaining a garden on school grounds. This will allow them to utilize cross curricular skills such as math and social studies to manage the selling of shares in the garden, and taking some of the produce to market. Also, they will learn what foods are seasonal, and grow best in specific environments. The other aspect is that the garden will help to serve a larger purpose of the students- to provide the neighborhood with nutritious foods for reasonable prices, learn and teach nutrition, and provide healthy fare for homeless shelters and those less fortunate.

The post survey that I have worked on in my current class, Training and Motivational Development, has been very helpful by having me begin with the (ideal) end in mind. This is helping me fine tune, develop and revise our plan so that is it meets our goals and is manageable.

The students and I will meet this Wed. to discuss some of the plans along with a representative from the Urban Farming Initiative and our principal to make sure we are on the same page and have the green light to get started with the physical part of this project.

I am excited! More to come...