11. Queen Mary Elementary: Radical radishes! Gardening workshops for children

Organization Information

Organization Name

Queen Mary Elementary School

Mission and Vision of Organization

Our mission is to build a respectful community of lifelong learners. We work towards being caring, accomplished and cooperative citizens. We aim to provide an enriched environment in which children are encouraged to think, question, create and wonder.

Guiding Principles + Values

• Demonstrate personal responsibility and self-control
• Respect each other, respect each other and respect property

Contact Information

• Primary Contact Person(s): Maria King
• Email: mking@vsb.bc.ca
• Phone: 604 713 5464
• Address: 2000 Trimble Street, Vancouver BC
• Website: [1]

Preferred Method of Contact

• Best method(s) to contact: Email, Text Maria's cell if needed, during business hours only (778 834 6478), M-F 9am-4pm
• Preferred platform(s) for project meetings: Email, Phone, Text
• Best day(s) to contact: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
• Best time(s) to contact: Mornings, Afternoons
• Work to happen online or in person: In person

Project Description

Context: What challenge or issue does the project aim to address?

UBC students will research and present cultural uses of radishes, how radishes are used around the world, how radishes are planted and harvested.

Queen Mary has on-site raised European garden beds and native plant areas. Staff have been working with students and a variety of community groups for the past several years to make the best use of these resources (teaching spaces). Classroom teachers and students plant and harvest throughout the year. UBC students will work with the grade 4/5 students using a tri-mentoring model. They will teach them about the cultural context of radishes, where radishes comes from in the world, culturally how it is used and plant radishes with the class. The grade 4/5 students will share information with Quadra Day care students to engage the students through shared garden planting. The grade 4 and 5 students will mentor the younger students.

Note: We do not expect UBC LFS students to be teachers. Any and all interactions with elementary students will be led and facilitated by classroom teachers with input from UBC students and through collaborative planning.

Through this project, the grade 4/5 students will gain knowledge about different cultural practices, food growing skills, and how to mentor younger children. The project helps students to develop connections with the land and with each other, helping to address issues related to loneliness and disconnection.

Main Project Activities and Expected Deliverable(s)

Research and presentation on cultural uses of radishes, how radishes are used around the world, how radishes are planted and harvested.

Work to happen online or in person?

• In-person

Student Assets and Skills (preferred or required)

• Research skills, to find out how radishes are used around the world
• Investigation skills, find out how other cultures use radishes and why it is important
• Critical thinking: how is agriculture in Canada, similar and different in terms of production and use of land in different countries
• Organization skills: to present the information in an organized, thorough, clear format to the grade 4 and 5 students who will present the information to the pre school students

Are there any mandatory attendance dates (e.g. special event)?

• A key deliverable is a presentation on radishes. The specific date is to be decided with the community partner.

Is a criminal record check required?

• Yes, to be initiated by the students at the first community partner meeting

Related Community Service Opportunities for Students

Students are always welcome to volunteer in the classroom! Please ask about opportunities.

Required Reading

Project/Partner Orientation Materials

Students should review these materials prior to the first partner meeting:

• Cullen, T. et. al (2015). Food literacy: Definition and framework for action. Perspectives in Practice, vol. 76. DOI: 10.3148/cjdpr-2015-010 Sumner, J. (Ed.) (2016). Learning, food, and sustainability: Sites for resistance and change. New York: Palgrave MacMillan. Available from UBC Library. Students should read the Introduction before the first community partner meeting.
• Please ask your TA for the relevant past LFS350 student reports

Additional Project/Partner Orientation Materials

The following will be provided at the first community partner meeting:

• Site visit to the school garden and daycare gardens