Past Curriculum
Past Curriculum: A Class on March 12 – Arbor Day
On March 12th, 2012, CereCare had a tree planting class to celebrate the Chinese National Arbor Day. They learned about gardening and experienced it hands-on. This gave them the opportunity to practice the skills they have been learning (physical functioning, play strategies, social interaction, cognitive skills, and self-care strategies). Gardening engaged the children’s interest and helped them take initiative in accordance with Conductive Education.
Participants: Blue, Green, Red, and Yellow Groups
Location: CereCare playground (alternate location: group green’s classroom)
Date and Time: March 12th, 2012 10:00 – 10:45 AM
Materials: 6 flower pots, 6 flowers, 6 shovels, 6 signs, 1 watering can, soil
Preparation: 9:30 AM dig holes in the playground (alternatively: prepare flower pots in classroom)
Objectives:
1) Understand the origins and significance of Arbor Day
2) Involve entire staff and children in the green initiative through hands-on experience
3) Increase understanding of the process of planting
4) Increase environmental and ecological consciousness
5) Practice limb extension and flexion through tree planting
6) Learn to actively fulfill tasks and initiate motion tasks
Schedule
1) Transition：Groups move to the playground and line up in the order of group blue, green, red, and yellow
2) Introduction of Arbor Day：Origins of Arbor Day, significance of tree planting and environmentalism
3) Explain the detailed process of planting and introduce tasks for each group member
4) Start planning with the help of teachers (make sure everyone is involved)
5) Assess each group’s planting process – encourage, praise, and constructively criticize. Present awards.
6) Debrief with children on how they felt about the class and what they learned about gardening and about themselves
7) Dismissal - Transition to the toilet
From shoveling, planting the seed, patting the mud, to watering the plant, the joy of a new experience increased the children’s initiative in moving and allowed them to have fun while learning.
Steps to planting a tree
