https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf After viewing sharing challenges videos from fellow course members, please share your thoughts and reflections by clicking the "+" symbol under the different question headings below. If you are comfortable including your name in your post, please login with Google by clicking the "LOG IN" button at the top right corner of this screen prior to adding your post. Alternatively, you can add your name directly in your post or choose to post anonymously. Please also feel free to continue the discussion by adding comments to fellow course members' posts! en-us 2021-07-23 19:07:25 UTC 2022-03-13 20:20:22 UTC hello@padlet.com pparsons1 https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1910150044 Similar to Anne we have challenges with creeping weeds.  I honestly don't even know what the weed is, but it creeps in and takes over.  The best thing I have found is pulling the weed out of the garden area.  Generally it just creeps in  and will take over if not maintained.  Persistence has been the best cure for this. ]]> 2021-11-24 08:39:38 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1910150044 pparsons1 https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1910160691 Common Theme: Buy In (parents, teachers, administration), Time, and Funding]]> 2021-11-24 08:46:35 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1910160691 https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1911758855 2021-11-25 03:24:04 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1911758855 https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1911764057 2021-11-25 03:27:50 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1911764057 https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1911773660 Mc]]> 2021-11-25 03:34:08 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1911773660 https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1915044447 How do you rally students and community members to support garden work during the summer months when the students are out of school?]]> 2021-11-27 02:56:02 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1915044447 anneschmitt350 https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1915751760 Getting teachers to realize that garden learning is very valuable and to make time for it. Getting funding. ]]> 2021-11-27 22:58:54 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1915751760 anneschmitt350 https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1915752104 Yes, several similar challenges to most of the videos. ]]> 2021-11-27 23:00:09 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1915752104 https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1916396876  Commitment of time, funding and the value of hands on learning.]]> 2021-11-28 16:17:39 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1916396876 mollyshapiro5 https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1916585875 Both our videos and the videos we were assigned show us the impact that gardens and working outside can have on students ]]> 2021-11-28 20:13:52 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1916585875 mollyshapiro5 https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1916586896 Something that I have found very valuable in my garden practice is the theory that the classroom is an experimental place. While this might not apply for some of my classmates who are providing food for cafeterias and the surrounding community, I've found that showing my humanity in management of weeds encourages student participation in the class and garden.]]> 2021-11-28 20:15:22 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1916586896 https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1919400198 Could a summer garden club for students be started? Does your school district have a community education department that could use the garden for programs and classes for kids? How about Master Gardeners? They might be able to use the garden for educational purposes. I am a teacher with our school district childcare, so our program takes care of the garden all summer. ]]> 2021-11-30 02:29:40 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1919400198 jillparon https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1919410424 I would like to hear how experienced school gardeners built the support of their school and community. I am in the process of getting a garden program started and would like to avoid pitfalls.]]> 2021-11-30 02:35:59 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1919410424 https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1920598265 2021-11-30 15:00:49 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1920598265 shaunastfarmer https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1922515586 Whether it is taking the time to build trust with community partners, or to get a curriculum approved, or to receive funding, most successful programs take time.]]> 2021-12-01 11:05:25 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1922515586 shaunastfarmer https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1922519072 For gardens in our school district, the lack of continuity in leadership that Brenda described is a common issue.  We have not faced that yet since we are still young, but I am very conscious of it and hopeful that we can build in some ways to have shared ownership so that the garden's success does not depend on just one person.]]> 2021-12-01 11:08:12 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1922519072 mistyhertzig https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1925890634 Most everyone had the issue of keeping the community interested, invested, and involved in keeping a program going. It can take a lot of effort from one person or can be made easier with a group of people supporting it. That is the same issue I have seen myself with outdoor classrooms that I have tried to be part of through the garden where I work.]]> 2021-12-02 18:58:11 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1925890634 mistyhertzig https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1925894754 I see a lot of people with getting a team or multiple people involved in the space so that when one person leaves someone else can pick up where they left off. Without a team, a program or a space can often lose the momentum it is gaining.]]> 2021-12-02 19:00:10 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1925894754 mistyhertzig https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1925897161 We have a program in Alabama through the AL Wildlife Federation called Outdoor Classrooms. They are great at getting a space started and well supported by guiding the development of the project from the beginning and creating the needed relationships. ]]> 2021-12-02 19:01:32 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1925897161 mistyhertzig https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1926039749 https://www.alabamawildlife.org/classroom/

Not sure what you have for your state, but Alabama schools have this to use. ]]> 2021-12-02 20:23:21 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1926039749 cmwheaton2 https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1927846910 Common theme: Keeping gardens safe from vandalism or from being ruined by construction or reconstruction of school building! I felt so bad for Clearview Elem in my same county. :(. I work at an alternative high school near a major roadway and sometimes the school grounds has unwelcomed visitors or weekend visitors. :/]]> 2021-12-03 17:35:53 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1927846910 cmwheaton2 https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1927850785 Great lccal resource for wildlife conservation, native plantings, marsh protections, and hiking and outdoor exploration.]]> 2021-12-03 17:38:05 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1927850785 cmwheaton2 https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1927852304 When demolished by construction or damaged in building renovations?]]> 2021-12-03 17:38:57 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1927852304 odiledanielle1 https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1929661929 2021-12-05 15:45:34 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1929661929 mariannfbrown https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1930164841 Seems like everyone needs more time either to make community connections, raise funds, or just get things done. Maintaining continuity in a program is a challenge and when most of the responsibility falls on one person, it is a problem if that person moves on to a different job or phase of life.]]> 2021-12-06 02:03:50 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1930164841 https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1932443336 2021-12-07 01:15:44 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1932443336 susandemsko1 https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1937112178 It seems there is lip-service to the idea of "green spaces" but administration doesn't want to give the final "ok". It is difficult to get real admin buy-in. This makes doing difficult.]]> 2021-12-09 01:21:42 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1937112178 https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1943025926 I keep hearing "time" being a big challenge. I think this trickles down from the other challenge I saw of admin support. If we can get administration to see the importance of the classroom garden, there may be spots open up in our schedules to include time in the garden.]]> 2021-12-12 18:07:04 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1943025926 https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1943028568 We experience a lot time constraints. As the head gardener at school, I undertake a lot of the tasks, and as much as a try to get the other teachers, parents, etc to help out and volunteer their time-it usually falls on me.]]> 2021-12-12 18:09:27 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1943028568 https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1943029974 2021-12-12 18:10:40 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1943029974 riverjenkinson https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1977355892 Positive, energizing relationships around garden projects have always been the way that things get done in our school garden. Making sure to spend some time each week reaching out to community groups and individuals about what they're up to and sharing what we're doing so that like-minded folks can reach out to us is something I will do more of this year. Thanks for the reminder that relationships come first!]]> 2022-01-05 20:34:45 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1977355892 riverjenkinson https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1977359377 Sometimes it feels like you may be operating out there all alone and that staff, parents, teachers, etc. aren't into the gardens. But, if you invite them and host a work bee and provide snacks and kids activities, THEY WILL COME! Have faith! ]]> 2022-01-05 20:36:50 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/1977359377 https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/2092621433 I think the biggest common theme was the importance of having the involvement of all stakeholders. This can be done in a lot of different ways, but the school garden will likely be more successful if there is involvement by a variety of teachers, administrators, other school staff, community members, parents and of course as many students as possible. ]]> 2022-03-13 20:13:14 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/2092621433 https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/2092623067 Yes, I have had similar challenges. Weeding is something that you have to keep on top of. We also have a problem with our gardens being occasionally mowed by maintenance staff.]]> 2022-03-13 20:15:36 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/2092623067 https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/2092626475 If you are getting pushback at the school level, sometimes encouraging students to contact school board members yields results. This is kind of the "nuclear option" but it can get results, especially if the students are the ones with the concern.]]> 2022-03-13 20:20:22 UTC https://padlet.com/teachinginnaturesclassroom/g0cp5827s4se28uf/wish/2092626475