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Big
Picture
Urban children apply Internet agricultural research
to their container garden located high among downtown buildings. Helping
plant and care for the rooftop school garden are local seniors whose
folklore and wisdom enrich this experiment in cultivating classroom
and community. |
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Details
Math, Science, Technology
Grades 2-5 |
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Highlights
The rooftop garden becomes a classroom extension for science
investigations. Children, along with neighboring seniors and collaborating
City Year interns: |
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Observe and record
the life cycle of plants. |
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Study the impact of
environmental factors on plant growth. |
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Germinate
seeds in the classroom.
They harvest strawberries, tomatoes, beans, radishes, and magnificent
watermelon. |
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Transporting soil, fertilizer, and tools to the roof becomes lessons
in weights and measurement. A compost bin is a necessity and a learning
focus. Using metric rulers, rain gauges and thermometers enables
students to collect and graph data on rainfall and temperature changes.
First hand observations are bolstered by Internet research and literature.
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Teacher Profile
Lai Lai, a third grade bilingual
teacher at Josiah Quincy Elementary School, has received a grant from
Mass. Agriculture in the Classroom Inc. As a BPS Lead Teacher, Mentor
Teacher, and Science Standards Facilitator, she is recipient of the
Althea Lindsey Teacher of the Year Award and the Mass. Environmental
Affairs Secretary's Award for Excellence in Environmental Education.
lsheung@boston.k12.ma.us |
Books and Materials
A Seed Is a Promise
by Claire Merrill; Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney; The
Story of George Washington Carver by Eva Moore; The Empty
Pot by Demi; How the Ox Star Fell From Heaven by Lily
Toy Hong; gardening supplies, measuring tools |
Technology Tools
Computers, digital camera, graphing
software, Internet |
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Lai Lai Sheung
