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| PERSHING'S ORGANIC GARDEN |
In our continuing venture with the San Jose Jesuit School and Mr. Mariano Parra Diaz, our students have increased their knowledge of cultural and historical facts and its applications to other areas of study.
During their
involvement, the students also formed friendships. Additionally, the project
has also made them aware that learning about Extremadura has exposed them to different
cultures and their heritage. By expanding
the learning to another country, the students have become global citizens;
their lives have transcended geography and borders.
One
part of the project being done this year with my seventh grade students is
learning of Spain’s History, through collaborations with Mr. Parra Diaz and Mr.
Francisco Jose Morales. Mr. Morales’s students in Spain have created wonderful
virtual magazines that highlight historical Spanish events in English. It has
created a window for my students to recognize world history learning that is
under way at the Jesuit school. Likewise, my students have and are developing
power point presentations to the Spanish students about Texas history. The
first power point we sent was about the Aztecs.
Another endeavor, The Orchard Project, is
where we are learning about Pershing’s Organic Garden and The Jesuit Garden. Mr.
Coursey is Pershing’s garden and sixth grade Social Studies teacher that has operated
the garden for about 10 years. Since then, Mr. Coursey has planted many
varieties of vegetables and fruits. Recent additions to the garden are two fig
trees. Other recent trees are lemon and orange trees. We also have many vegetables
such as eggplants (aubergines), sweet potatoes, carrots, and several varieties
of Kale. Mr. Coursey’s students help plant, harvest and maintain the garden.  |
| COMPOST FOR THE GARDEN |
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| EGG PLANT |
Next school
year, Mr. Coursey will have the pleasure to teach only gardening as it is an
important and popular subject.
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| SPINACH AT SAN JOSE |
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| BROAD BEANS |
In a yearly event, parents help in cooking the vegetables and bring side dishes in culminating the year with a feast. The gardens at the Jesuit school are also extensive and have several trees planted as well as their produce. One tree that was planted and was shown to me while I was there is the Gingko Biloba tree that is an endangered species.
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| THE GARDENS AT THE JESUIT SAN JOSE SCHOOL |
This year, when we visit their campus in March, we will plant another endangered tree at the Jesuit School: Quercus Suber L. or the cork tree that is native to that area of Spain.
Putting
resources and practices to learn Spanish is an exceptional way my students are
building and fostering a more meaningful connection to the language. Inversely,
the students at San Jose Jesuit School are also enriching their use of English
in non-traditional settings.
Our students are enriched and
exposed to more than just a language; it is a limitless, way of life!
LIFE IS AN OPPORTUNITY: ARTICLE ABOUT OUR PROJECTS
FROM THE JESUIT SCHOOL
