The Edible Schoolyard at Liceo Internacional

Description of Gardening Program at Liceo Internacional

The bilingual garden program at Liceo Internacional seeks to develop a hands-on, project-oriented, student-centered (Skinner, et al: 2012, p. 19) curriculum in which students develop a greater awareness of their natural environment while developing practical skills. At its root, it is transdisciplinary (Johnson & Mappin: 2005, p. 262), in that, while creating ample opportunities for develop understandings and application of concepts in various subject areas (art, math, science, language arts) as well as greater competencies in the 21st century skill set (critical thinking, effective communication, problem-solving, teamwork), the emphasis lies on learning that incorporates this spectrum of knowledge and skills into a cohesive, theme-based experience.

The curriculum is based on groundbreaking work carried out by Alice Waters at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School in Berkeley, California (Waters 2008) and Dr. Charlie Headington at the Greensboro Montessori School Permaculture Garden. The work of Bill Mollison (1997) and David Holmgren (2002) provides the essential principles and big ideas upon which lessons are based, while the practical applications for teaching permaculture are modeled upon the descriptions of Rosemary Morrow (2006).

In the Edible Schoolyard at Liceo Internacional, students get their hands dirty. The garden is about three-quarters of an acre, divided into two sections – the “showcase” garden and a larger experimental garden. Working in small groups or individually, students carry out garden-based projects, planting seeds, tending to growing plants, harvesting. They build structures essential to a Permaculture garden (coldframes, trellises, fences, compost bins), and the appreciation of nature (ponds and birdhouses). Finally, students enjoy the fruits of labor, taking what they’ve grown to the kitchen to prepare delicious dishes.

Future projects include an outreach program to work with local residents in the local neighborhood to build a community garden.