I believe learning gardens help students to be more interactive, and have a deeper connection with the outside world and with their environment. Being outside allows people to see things in a bigger picture, as fresh air and being in nature is good for the mind, senses, and mental health.
The idea of the garden being a ‘co-teacher’ really struck me because, often, a lot of people overlook the idea that nature is a large part of our lives. Being in the garden creates a feeling of connectedness to the world around you.
Being involved in the garden educates people on how much energy is put into planting and growing foods. This can directly relate to students academic achievement; you need to put the work in, in order to achieve your goals. In my opinion, learning gardens can promote inclusion and engagement between students as being outdoors instead of being confined to their usual classroom allows students to relax and not feel judged.
For myself, I felt more calm and allowed the noises and scents to overcome my natural overthinking. I was able to take time to think in a peaceful environment and reflect on what was being taught. This is something I hope to introduce to my teaching environment especially for math as many lessons can be extended by doing activities outside. For example, using the sun and shadows to explain geometry visually by relating it to a phenomenon students are familiar with.
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