Building a garden can be a powerful tool for teaching students empathy, compassion, and a broader perspective on the world around them. Here's how it can facilitate these important learning outcomes:
Firstly, creating a garden requires understanding the needs of plants.
Students learn to empathize with living organisms different from themselves. This experience encourages students to see the world through the eyes of another being, understanding that all living things have needs and feelings, albeit in their own unique ways.
Secondly, gardening involves nurturing and caring for plants. Students can work together and build community through a shared activity. Many of Mira Loma's students are immigrants. So many are looking for friends, looking for community. A community garden gives a calm, enjoyable space for every student. Learning to garden does not require language (if a student doesn't have the ability to speak English ) but can be a place of understanding.
One way to measure success is through a student's ability to observe and respond to the needs of the plants. Are they able to identify signs of stress or deficiency in the plants, and do they take appropriate action to address these issues? Furthermore, students' interactions with each other while working in the garden are also insightful. Do they collaborate, communicate, and support each other in caring for the plants? These social dynamics can provide valuable insights into their development of compassion and empathy.
Encourage students to journal about their experiences, thoughts, and feelings related to gardening. Prompt discussions about the connections between caring for plants and caring for other living beings, fostering deeper insights into empathy and compassion. Integrating gardening into a community service hours opportunity can encourage students to give their time and foster inclusion.
ROOMTEC 8 Person Wooden Picnic Benches, Outdoor Round Table with Umbrella Hold Design for Patio, Backyard, Garden, Adults and Kids, 1720lb Capacity, Brown
• Amazon Business
$289.99
2
$579.98
More Birds Red Vintage Hummingbird Feeder, Antique Glass Hummingbird Feeders for Outdoors, 5 Feeding Stations, 20 Ounces
• Amazon Business
$26.60
2
$53.20
California Poppy Seeds - Over 20,000 Premium Native Wildflower Seeds - (Eschscholtzia californica) California State Flower
• Amazon Business
$9.49
2
$18.98
ZUZUAN Garden Tool Set, 3 Pack Aluminum Heavy Duty Gardening Kit Includes Hand Trowel, Transplant Trowel and Cultivator Hand Rake with Soft Rubberized Non-Slip Ergonomic Handle, Garden Gifts
• Amazon Business
$16.98
1
$16.98
Fiskars Ergo Trowel - Heavy Duty Gardening Hand Tool with Hang Hole - Lawn and Yard Tools - Black/Orange
• Amazon Business
$7.03
2
$14.06
Sereniseed Sunflower Seeds Collection (10-Pack) – 100% Non GMO, Open Pollinated – Grow Guide
• Amazon Business
$12.99
1
$12.99
Materials cost
$696.19
Vendor shipping charges
$99.98
Sales tax
$63.70
3rd party payment processing fee
$10.44
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$900.31
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$158.88
Total project goal
$1,059.19
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$1,059.19
1 Donor
-$200.00
Donations toward project cost
-$177.50
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$22.50
The Compassion Project match offer
-$200.00
Match offer toward project cost
-$170.00
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mr. Stinson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
