To our readers: This blog will be inactive for an indefinite period of time. The project has ended and may not be done again. Most posts have been deleted and only some remain.
Proyecto Extremadura
A Project of Friendship and Environmental Awareness with History and Cultural Highlights
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Saturday, April 22, 2017
MOTHER EARTH DAY, 2017
TO SAVE OUR EARTH, IS TO SAVE HUMANKIND!
This has been an extraordinary year in support of all environmental causes. This year, a March for Science is also being done in conjunction to bring awareness for scientific freedom. Science has shown us that climate change is here and now.
So, while climate change continues to be on the news front of our lives, we are seeing more of a devastating effect on our water, food supplies, and air quality.
This year, for Earth Day and every day, let's forge on by doing our part to combat climate change and getting involved in our communities. Now is the time to inform others, continue doing our part and keep on leading by example.
Remember to:
*Eat less meat.*Reduce energy consumption.
*Begin composting.
*Stop using plastic.
*Plant more trees or contribute to planting more trees.
*Buy local produce.
*Grow your own food.
*Live simply and produce less waste.
( http://proyectobdcspain.blogspot.com/2014/10/climate-change.html )
Saturday, February 11, 2017
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.
Pershing’s garden uses compost as fertilizer and only soap and water as an
insecticide, following organic practices.
COMPOST FOR THE GARDEN |
EGG PLANT |
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 |
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
Saturday, November 5, 2016
WATER PROTECTORS
One of the important and noteworthy reasons that
the Sioux do not want the line to go through their land is because the
authorities missed major archeological finds in the path of the pipeline. One
discovery is in regards to a large stone that has a feature that depicts Iyokaptan Tanka, or the Big Dipper, which is indicative
that a major leader or a highly respected Chief was buried nearby. The Big Dipper are the seven brightest stars that make up the constellation Ursa Major or 'Great Bear'. This sacred
site is a significant archeological find in North Dakota that has not happened
in many years. It is believed that to find a leader buried in the Big Dipper cup, means the Chief was someone of great importance.
The other reason the Sioux and other Native
Nations are protesting is that the pipeline is in violation of The
Clean Water Act. The Sioux allege that the pipeline’s environmental outcome
can be detrimental if the pipe ruptures spilling oil and other toxins into
their main water source.
Native Americans are the first true environmentalists of our country. Even to this day, they protect our Mother Earth. By protecting the water and air, the Native Peoples continue to honor and respect the land they live on. Clean water is important. Water is life!
Native Americans are the first true environmentalists of our country. Even to this day, they protect our Mother Earth. By protecting the water and air, the Native Peoples continue to honor and respect the land they live on. Clean water is important. Water is life!
The injustices while the native peoples protest, have been recorded daily and
witnessed by many in the US and all over the world. The Standing Sioux Tribe
has had a large following through social media as the construction of the
pipeline continues.
As the entire world is watching, will the world unite to stop these injustices and halt the construction of the pipeline in that area of North Dakota? We can only hope.
Dave Archambault II, chairman of the Standing Sioux Tribe at the UN in September |
As we all know, fossil fuels such as oil harm the
environment through locating, moving and by its production. Oil spills harm animals
and affect plants, as well as humans. We cannot neglect that oil production and
its uses also add toxic emissions into the air.
Additionally, just in time for the conference is the movie
BEFORE THE FLOOD, which may be seen in its entirety for free, in this link from
National Geographic:
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/before-the-flood/videos/before-the-flood/
R. Aguilar
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/before-the-flood/videos/before-the-flood/
R. Aguilar
Friday, September 2, 2016
PROYECTO EXTREMADURA In THE NEWS
PROYECTO
EXTREMADURA
By: Ellie Plummer and Katherine
Willcockson, Feature Writers of
JJP: The Middle (A Publication of
Pershing Middle School; Houston, Texas)
Adventure,
education, and a colorful history are just a few ways to describe Proyecto Extremadura.
Ms. Aguilar has run this amazing program for her middle school students since
2013, and helped to enhance students learning across the world.
One
of the largest parts of the project is the annual trip to Spain and surrounding
area. When visiting these culturally different and diverse neighborhoods,
students are enabled to learn in ways that aren’t exhibited in the classroom.
Going to places that are studied in textbooks and diving into the history and
language can be the critical concept that a student needs.
In
each of her Spanish classes, eight graders are given pen pals from a school in
Spain (Extremadura). Ms. Aguilar’s students write their letters in Spanish
while the opposite group writes in English. Using this method the kids in both America
and Spain are able to learn slang, conversation ticks, and many other things
that are essential to speaking fluently. Some of the Pandas involved say that
they enjoy hearing about the everyday activities of their peers in Spain and
even started to genuinely bond with their pen pal.
Not
only does this project enhance students’ education, but it also helps to spread
environmental awareness. While in Spain, the group of teens and adults from
Pershing plants trees to improve the air quality and regrow forests. By doing
all the service work that they can, Ms. Aguilar’s groups have spread the word
and exhibited a behavior for many to mimic.
“A
project of friendship and environmental awareness with history and cultural
highlights”: These are the words that Ms. Aguilar uses to describe her
phenomenal project. Not only do students get to learn about a different
culture, they also get to help the community and experience everyday life.
*Ellie and Katherine are two Spanish students that will soon be writing to their pals this year. Ms. Aguilar
Note:
This year, my seventh and eighth grade students will participate in the pen pal
project. Students and their parents may visit their pen pals and do a service
project in Villafranaca de los Barros, Extremadura, during our Spring-Break
tour.
Our
customized tour, made possible by Explorica Educational Travel, will
include Madrid, Trujuillo, Merida, Villafranca de los Barros, Burguillos del
Cerro, Seville and Malaga. Any person interested in participating in our tour
may contact me at the email on the Contact
page of this blog.
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