Math
Math in Gardening, Landscape and Biodiversity for fifth graders can be exciting and encourage further research. Classrooms no longer consist of four walls, desks, and whiteboards. The world is our classroom. Real world solutions are discovered outside. Our program is offered in our Outdoor Classroom setting to facilitate real world exposure and meaningful projects. We ensure the curriculum is available in various languages. We also provide assistive devices and provide paraeducators for special needs students. The hands-on approach can be modified and allow all students to work together despite barriers.
Math
The curriculum focuses on group building skills and experiences that cannot not be explored in the traditional classroom setting. The Outdoor classroom allows geometric shapes to come to life.
Children can collaborate with peers in small groups and include an artistic approach to their findings. Their findings can be presented via WIX, pictograph, song, drawing, vlog, video game, skit or any artististic approach., The inclusion of hands- on math with the outdoor classroom allows children to learn to see math outside of a textbook. Math comes to life and has real meaning with the influence of the arts.
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Gardening- Students at any grade can measure square footage of land in their outdoor classroom. Circle, rectangles, and squares are shapes that can be calculated using each specific formula. Small groups of students will work collaboratively to discuss measurements and conversions using rulers, yard sticks, and tape measurers. They use math skills to round decimals, add, subtract, multiply, and divide. Together students will problem solve and think critically. Students will calculate the circumference, display 2 D shapes artistically, and will Students will collaborate with peers to teach each other and discuss math and the correlation with science. Students will draw graphs and charts to display the success of the garden. Students will utilize garden tools. Students will learn the difference between post hole digger, trenching spade, wheelbarrows, yard carts, and garden hoes. Students will learn the when and how to use each garden tool.
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Landscape- Students will measure mulch and seedlings utilizing tape measurers, rulers and math conversions. Students can count and pace off the required area. Students can utilize algebraic expressions and bring them to life.
Biodiversity- Students will classify and count organisms and their ecosystems. They will have the opportunity to draw various ecosystems and organisms. Students can observe and research the health of various ecosystems. Students can count and categorize organisms. This can determine if organisms are at risk of extinction.
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Some of the 21st century skills used in this activity were:
- Critical thinking
- Problem solving
- Numeracy
- Persistence
- Persistence
- Curiosity
