School Garden Recipe Book

msmonica

The school’s wonderful rooftop garden was the source of inspiration for this new project. Watching children helping and playing in the gardens make me hopeful that here is a new generation of green warriors who will one day become caring stewards of the planet.

This recipe book will feature original writing by students spotlighting the garden veggie they grew in the rooftop garden.

Ideation and Planning:

OPPORTUNITIES: The chance the join the school’s Editorial Board Program presented a great learning experience in how to craft, publish, and present student work professionally. Of three possible ideas, it was the school’s beautiful rooftop top garden that caught my interest the most.

  • Magazine featuring collection of student artwork and reflections
  • Book of recipes featuring rooftop vegetable garden
  • Photobook capturing students’ demonstration of the school’s virtues

STRENGTHS:

  • Authentic English and Chinese writing experience for students
  • Opportunity to showcase the non-academic side of school
  • Highlights the strength of the school’s stewardship program
  • Putting the school’s 8 Virtues + 1 into practice
  • Builds home-school relationship

CHALLENGES: Potential threats to this project.

Having chosen the recipe book idea, there certainly was excitement but anxiousness too since one cannot guarantee the growth and wellbeing of the garden.

  • Weather related concerns affecting the gardens
  • Lack of direct student contact in the gardens
  • Buy in from teachers
  • Dependent on student and family’s interest and participation

Roof top garden:

Initial survey of the gardens in September, 2022. Students are visiting the gardens during their recess time.

Grade 3 students are growing mung beans in the classroom and learning about life cycles. At the same time, they are taking turns to visit the gardens to grow bok choy. Here, a grade 3 student is tending to her mung bean plant.

Mung beans

Launch and Execution:

DRAFT TABLE OF CONTENTS

GRADE 3 ASSIGNMENT SET-UP:

Video instructions along with sample recipe and recipe writing template were sent home the week before harvesting the choy sum.

Video: Choy Sum Recipe Home Learning assignment

GRADE 3 RECIPE SAMPLES:

Students had the option of using the given recipe template or create their own. They were reminded of the key information pieces that were must haves: Recipe name, ingredient list, instructions, photo of finished dish, and optional personal photo (some families may wish to forego this due to privacy concerns). Students posted their write-up on Padlet for class sharing. Below Slideshow is just a small selection of some of the submitted recipes. Wonderful display of creativity! Click HERE to view others.

NEXT STEPS:

-Meet with Grade 2 Level Leaders to discuss how and when grade 2 students will join this project; and the selection process of shortlisted recipe write-ups

-Meet with Grade 3 Level Leaders for recipe selection process

-Meet with Sustainability Team to information regarding the Rocket (compost)

-Meet with Green Guardians for possible inclusion of SEC recipes from SEC rooftop gardens

Sadly, the students’ individual mung bean plants did not fare well.

Grade 2s in the Garden

The Grade 2s have just launched their plant unit. Students are enjoying a bit of sun and fun with digging hands into the soil. A template for their future recipe has been drafted…Looking forward to seeing what creative recipes they come up with!