McNeely's Inquiry Questions:
- How might our school garden be a place thatÌýinvites inquiry, exploration, play, and joy?​
- How might we help our school community beÌýmore connected to ‘our place’?
Why ask these questions?
- We are noticing a high interest among students and staffÌýmembers but limited engagement with our outdoorÌýspaces.ÌýÌý​
- Our outdoor space consists of six designated gardenÌýplots, a row of fruit trees, as well as a large expanse ofÌýfield area dotted with different mature trees.Ìý Our schoolÌýalso has close access to a small urban forest which is hostÌýto many trees, bushes, and small local wildlife such asÌýsquirrels and rabbits.ÌýÌý​
- The opportunities for outdoor, engaged learning areÌýendless. How can we encourage our community to useÌýthem in new ways?
What was being noticed about learners?
- We notice that learners are engaged, energized, andÌýhave a natural curiosity when they go outside to learn.ÌýÌýChildren of all ages love to be outside and will naturallyÌýdiscover connections to curricular topics.​
- We notice that there are endless curricular andÌýcompetency connections with outdoor learning thatÌýenable students to engage in rich and meaningfulÌýlearning.​
- We notice that each day our students listen to ourÌýdaily school message which reminds our community toÌýtake care of ‘our place’.
What actions were taken?
Together with friends and community members, weÌýworked to create a new space which showcasesÌýnative plant species. The children researchedÌývarious species of native plants, specifically varietiesÌýwhich thrived in full sun and moist to dry soil. TheyÌýwere able to understand which plants would spreadÌýand how much space to leave in between.Ìý As theirÌýunderstanding grows, so do their questions aboutÌýthe plants’ cultural significance, and hopefully, theirÌýappreciation for the historical contributions for theÌýIndigenous peoples of this land.ÌýÌý
How did this inquiry make a difference for learners?
The students have developed a sense of prideÌýand ownership over the garden.Ìý They enjoyÌýthe daily jobs involved in taking care of thisÌýnew garden, and this extends to taking care ofÌýall the plants growing in all our school gardenÌýbeds.Ìý​
The students demonstrate confidence whenÌýthey explain the process of planting theÌýgarden and describe the specific traits ofÌýplants.Ìý They welcome questions from othersÌýand become excited when the answerÌýrequires research.ÌýÌý
What next steps will be taken?
- To continue learning about native plants and theirÌýcultural significance to Indigenous people.​
- To label each plant and include specificÌýinformation so others may learn about theirÌýsignificance.​
- To continue empowering students to care for theÌýgarden and to teach others, both students andÌýadults,Ìýabout IndigenousÌýplant species​
- To continue to develop accessible outdoor learningÌýopportunities for colleagues and students.
