The Edible School Yard

The edible school yard is about Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Berkely California. These sixth grade students are planting, harvesting, and eating. The garden and the adjacent kitchen act as learning labs for social studies, math, science, and life. THe garden is the center of teaching but is only part of what also goes on in the classroom.

In my opinion, because this is a hands on type of learning and the students are doing it themselves they are learning and remembering what they are learning. These students are able to tell you what they are learning and give their own mini lessons.

These students are also using cooperative learning. Some of the students are stronger in math and some in the science part of it and when they work together they are able to make better sense of everything.

When the garen was started is was to provide healthier food in the cafeteria, it was said in that, "if they grow it, they want to eat it." These children are also learning things that children use to learn at home with their families. This home learning most times is not still taking place. The students are not only seeing but they are making it happen. I personally observed how much the studens love and appreciate many aspects of their schoolyard garden.

More on what works in education can be found at edutopia