Proyecto Extremadura: CONTINUING PROJECTS; PERSHING AND COLEGIO SAN JOSE

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

EGG PLANT

Pershing’s garden uses compost as fertilizer and only soap and water as an insecticide, following organic practices.

Next school year, Mr. Coursey will have the pleasure to teach only gardening as it is an important and popular subject.

SPINACH AT SAN JOSE

BROAD BEANS

At the Jesuit school, Don Teodoro has run the school’s garden for their elementary school students. Don Teodoro is a retired teacher having taught more than 40 years at San Jose Colegio. He has been teaching gardening the last 10 years. Just as our school, Don Teodoro also has students planting and maintaining the garden. Similarly, Don Teodoro has the students taste the harvested food.

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.

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