Comments on: Muddy Waters http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/2010/03/muddy-waters/ Heronswood Voice - A web log written by George Ball Fri, 06 Aug 2010 16:35:52 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Are Organic Lawns and Gardens Like a Party or A Quiet Place To Reflect? | Organic Soil Solutions http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/2010/03/muddy-waters/#comment-24168 Are Organic Lawns and Gardens Like a Party or A Quiet Place To Reflect? | Organic Soil Solutions Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:16:36 +0000 http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/?p=841#comment-24168 [...] article, "Muddy Waters", from Heronswood Voice reads "Plants and seeds provide students with new ways to [...] [...] article, "Muddy Waters", from Heronswood Voice reads "Plants and seeds provide students with new ways to [...]

]]> By: Scott Wallace http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/2010/03/muddy-waters/#comment-24160 Scott Wallace Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:20:33 +0000 http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/?p=841#comment-24160 Having been a middle school teacher in Colorado for 19 years, I have seen the ebb and flow that is a schools curriculum. Many years back I came upon the idea, as a 6th grade teacher of math and science and a professional landscaper in the summers, that my students could actually put forth their knowledge gained during the course of the year in a final project that combined skills from both subjects. Groups of students were given the charge to come up with a wildlife friendly garden in the courtyard of the school. Permission was given to use a small plot outside the art teachers window. A small grant was acquired from the local education foundation to fund the purchase of plant materials. The groups set to measuring the plot and coming up with a scale of the plot, incorporating what they had learned in math about ratios, proportions, and measurement. Once they had the outline of the plot they began researching what organisms could be attracted to our location and what plantings would accomplish the task. Once they had their lists, they narrowed the scope to the plants that would grow successfully for the location. At that point, they were asked to consider the budget and design a visually pleasing garden utilizing the entire budget. When they were finished they submitted their finished product to a committee consisting of the principal, art teacher, and custodian(whose job it would be to keep it going during the summer). A selection was made of the best design and the winning group got to go to the local nursery to select the plants. All students involved worked for a couple of days to prep the area. The plants were delivered and students installed a wonderful garden in just a few hours. The motivation and pride that the students showed for the finished product was evident from the number of families who visited and spent time at the site. Many parents began to ask their students if they thought they might be able to do something similar at home. The garden did achieve it's goal and students reported seeing lots of creatures visit the tree and flowers as well as an occasional art class in need of subjects for sketching and painting. Critics can say what they will but if teachers don't give students a tangible reason to learn math, science, humanities,and language arts, and provide them with real life situations around which to wrap their learning, students will not see much value in the lessons. I can think of no better way than to accomplish this elbow deep in the soil(or first knuckle deep as it is Colorado soil!). Ironically, a couple of years later the garden was removed in favor of an addition to the library and I saw that another teacher had submitted the same idea to the National Geographic Society and received a $10,000 award. I have no doubt, however, that there are a few more gardeners in this world because of that garden and some happy birds and butterflies as well! Having been a middle school teacher in Colorado for 19 years, I have seen the ebb and flow that is a schools curriculum. Many years back I came upon the idea, as a 6th grade teacher of math and science and a professional landscaper in the summers, that my students could actually put forth their knowledge gained during the course of the year in a final project that combined skills from both subjects. Groups of students were given the charge to come up with a wildlife friendly garden in the courtyard of the school. Permission was given to use a small plot outside the art teachers window. A small grant was acquired from the local education foundation to fund the purchase of plant materials. The groups set to measuring the plot and coming up with a scale of the plot, incorporating what they had learned in math about ratios, proportions, and measurement. Once they had the outline of the plot they began researching what organisms could be attracted to our location and what plantings would accomplish the task. Once they had their lists, they narrowed the scope to the plants that would grow successfully for the location. At that point, they were asked to consider the budget and design a visually pleasing garden utilizing the entire budget. When they were finished they submitted their finished product to a committee consisting of the principal, art teacher, and custodian(whose job it would be to keep it going during the summer). A selection was made of the best design and the winning group got to go to the local nursery to select the plants. All students involved worked for a couple of days to prep the area. The plants were delivered and students installed a wonderful garden in just a few hours. The motivation and pride that the students showed for the finished product was evident from the number of families who visited and spent time at the site. Many parents began to ask their students if they thought they might be able to do something similar at home. The garden did achieve it’s goal and students reported seeing lots of creatures visit the tree and flowers as well as an occasional art class in need of subjects for sketching and painting. Critics can say what they will but if teachers don’t give students a tangible reason to learn math, science, humanities,and language arts, and provide them with real life situations around which to wrap their learning, students will not see much value in the lessons. I can think of no better way than to accomplish this elbow deep in the soil(or first knuckle deep as it is Colorado soil!). Ironically, a couple of years later the garden was removed in favor of an addition to the library and I saw that another teacher had submitted the same idea to the National Geographic Society and received a $10,000 award. I have no doubt, however, that there are a few more gardeners in this world because of that garden and some happy birds and butterflies as well!

]]> By: Joy http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/2010/03/muddy-waters/#comment-24150 Joy Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:17:43 +0000 http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/?p=841#comment-24150 Thank you so much for printing this artical- that woman needs her head examained.What better way for children to learn how to eat like they should and how to get out and enjoy the gardening and flower growing.Its relaxing and deffinately educational- All schools should have this program. She must have been raised in the city- She should have to spend a year on an agricultural farm and ranch.This type of education could help keep city kids off the streets and out of drugs and the like- Tell her to get an education.Keep up the good work. Thank you so much for printing this artical- that woman needs her head examained.What better way for children to learn how to eat like they should and how to get out and enjoy the gardening and flower growing.Its relaxing and deffinately educational- All schools should have this program. She must have been raised in the city- She should have to spend a year on an agricultural farm and ranch.This type of education could help keep city kids off the streets and out of drugs and the like- Tell her to get an education.Keep up the good work.

]]> By: Steve McNew http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/2010/03/muddy-waters/#comment-24145 Steve McNew Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:01:06 +0000 http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/?p=841#comment-24145 At my school, one of the larger departments is the Ag dept... which raises food! Part of the dapartment does floriculture and horticulture, all of which is worked into the academic curriculum. The local Audubon Center, Aullwood, has a farm, which raises food! (currently on sale to the public) Local kids are at least aware of all of this. This is in Ohio -where we are supposed to be somewhat conservative. What's with this person? (mad cow disease?) At my school, one of the larger departments is the Ag dept… which raises food! Part of the dapartment does floriculture and horticulture, all of which is worked into the academic curriculum. The local Audubon Center, Aullwood, has a farm, which raises food! (currently on sale to the public) Local kids are at least aware of all of this. This is in Ohio -where we are supposed to be somewhat conservative. What’s with this person? (mad cow disease?)

]]> By: Audra http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/2010/03/muddy-waters/#comment-24144 Audra Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:53:09 +0000 http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/?p=841#comment-24144 Amen to Heronswood! Todays younger generation (25ish and younger) doesn't know much about taking care of themselves thanks to eliminating the home education classes, wood shop, etc. from the high school scene. We are becoming a nation of buyers and users of material items. (ie: food, clothing, material goods...) Most of the younger gen don't know/care how, where, or who makes their products. All they care about is that what they want is on the shelf. Given a disaster, they wouldn't last a minute as they haven't any skills with growing their own food, making clothes, or fixing anything in their own homes! Lets get back to the basics so our country doesn't have to rely and live off the backs of others, most of whom are less fortunate! Amen to Heronswood! Todays younger generation (25ish and younger) doesn’t know much about taking care of themselves thanks to eliminating the home education classes, wood shop, etc. from the high school scene. We are becoming a nation of buyers and users of material items. (ie: food, clothing, material goods…) Most of the younger gen don’t know/care how, where, or who makes their products. All they care about is that what they want is on the shelf. Given a disaster, they wouldn’t last a minute as they haven’t any skills with growing their own food, making clothes, or fixing anything in their own homes! Lets get back to the basics so our country doesn’t have to rely and live off the backs of others, most of whom are less fortunate!

]]> By: Lee http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/2010/03/muddy-waters/#comment-24143 Lee Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:31:52 +0000 http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/?p=841#comment-24143 Thank you so uch for your newsletters. They keep me aware of your products,but unlike any other plant company newsletter, they keep me aware of my mind and the greater issues of gardening than my little plot of land. I save some and re-read other often. Lee Thank you so uch for your newsletters. They keep me aware of your products,but unlike any other plant company newsletter, they keep me aware of my mind and the greater issues of gardening than my little plot of land. I save some and re-read other often. Lee

]]> By: DebbieB http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/2010/03/muddy-waters/#comment-24142 DebbieB Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:15:20 +0000 http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/?p=841#comment-24142 Whoa! I think Ms. Flanagan deserves better. I read the piece in The Atlantic and I think she's on target (and I don't drink red bull and the only crocs I wear are the ones I bought in the garden store). No one is saying that the biology of plant life is not an important subject that can help students learn vital elements of many sciences. What they're saying is that it is massively inefficient and borderline insane for each and every cash-strapped school in California to have its own garden. Your piece proves the point: students spend an hour and a half a week in it! Moreover, the fact that the plan was implemented proves another point: ts hard to hang on to reason when faced with an intelligent, well-meaning person in hot pursuit of a beautiful, harmless but utterly wasteful goal. The truth appears to be that as wonderful as gardens are, their cost is far higher than their value to the average student. Whoa! I think Ms. Flanagan deserves better. I read the piece in The Atlantic and I think she’s on target (and I don’t drink red bull and the only crocs I wear are the ones I bought in the garden store). No one is saying that the biology of plant life is not an important subject that can help students learn vital elements of many sciences. What they’re saying is that it is massively inefficient and borderline insane for each and every cash-strapped school in California to have its own garden. Your piece proves the point: students spend an hour and a half a week in it! Moreover, the fact that the plan was implemented proves another point: ts hard to hang on to reason when faced with an intelligent, well-meaning person in hot pursuit of a beautiful, harmless but utterly wasteful goal. The truth appears to be that as wonderful as gardens are, their cost is far higher than their value to the average student.

]]> By: b kessler http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/2010/03/muddy-waters/#comment-24141 b kessler Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:59:58 +0000 http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/?p=841#comment-24141 Thank you, and thanks to our Supreme Creator who gave us so many free gifts. My Mom bought me a box of pansies at age four because I loved their faces. I have been thankfully hooked ever since. Can't wait till spring when the surprises will start. I look forward to the first spring visit at Mr. Burpee's farm. Please keep writing! Thank you, and thanks to our Supreme Creator who gave us so many free gifts. My Mom bought me a box of pansies at age four because I loved their faces. I have been thankfully hooked ever since. Can’t wait till spring when the surprises will start. I look forward to the first spring visit at Mr. Burpee’s farm. Please keep writing!

]]> By: Susan http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/2010/03/muddy-waters/#comment-24140 Susan Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:13:39 +0000 http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/?p=841#comment-24140 It never fails to amaze me - the right in particular always seems to miss the most basic points of an issue like this. To begin with, kids now get little or no physical activity in the course of a school day, now that gym classes and, in some cases, recess have been abolished, it's small wonder we have a nation of overweight, diabetic kids. Secondly, in the computer age, many people, not just children, have absolutely no idea that things like carrots come from the ground. They think that it just magically appears in the store in its cellophane bag. They have no idea where food really comes from, and what's involved in getting it to the table. So, Ms. Flanagan, let's review. We have kids getting fresh air, exercise, eating healthy food. We perhaps have a high schooler who, rather than joining a gang and getting in trouble, instead aims for college and a career in horticulture. And these are all bad things because........? It never fails to amaze me – the right in particular always seems to miss the most basic points of an issue like this. To begin with, kids now get little or no physical activity in the course of a school day, now that gym classes and, in some cases, recess have been abolished, it’s small wonder we have a nation of overweight, diabetic kids. Secondly, in the computer age, many people, not just children, have absolutely no idea that things like carrots come from the ground. They think that it just magically appears in the store in its cellophane bag. They have no idea where food really comes from, and what’s involved in getting it to the table. So, Ms. Flanagan, let’s review. We have kids getting fresh air, exercise, eating healthy food. We perhaps have a high schooler who, rather than joining a gang and getting in trouble, instead aims for college and a career in horticulture. And these are all bad things because……..?

]]> By: Marguerite http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/2010/03/muddy-waters/#comment-24139 Marguerite Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:29:34 +0000 http://www.heronswoodvoice.com/?p=841#comment-24139 School gardening is hardly new and is hardly an experiment. I used to live in an apartment in NYC and my first experience with gardening was in 1961, when my class spent about a half hour outdoors on a lovely day planting seeds in a garden plot. I never got to do anything else with that garden, but I still recall the intense fascination and the delight in having such an unusual break in my school day. The garden was for a summer school activity, but needed to be planted during the regular school year in order to be far enough along for the summer school program. When we finally moved to a house in the suburbs, I was given the opportunity to plant some seeds and got to see them grow to full size and to enjoy fresh grown beans (so delicious!) and tomatoes and asparagus. I hated the weeding, so when I was old enough to be in my own place, I learned the Ruth Stout method of gardening and have enjoyed gardening ever since. School gardening is hardly new and is hardly an experiment. I used to live in an apartment in NYC and my first experience with gardening was in 1961, when my class spent about a half hour outdoors on a lovely day planting seeds in a garden plot. I never got to do anything else with that garden, but I still recall the intense fascination and the delight in having such an unusual break in my school day. The garden was for a summer school activity, but needed to be planted during the regular school year in order to be far enough along for the summer school program.

When we finally moved to a house in the suburbs, I was given the opportunity to plant some seeds and got to see them grow to full size and to enjoy fresh grown beans (so delicious!) and tomatoes and asparagus. I hated the weeding, so when I was old enough to be in my own place, I learned the Ruth Stout method of gardening and have enjoyed gardening ever since.

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