Below
is a writeup of the work of Carolyn
Nuttall one
of the leading Permaculture Teachers focus on Children's education and
also a resource page of PC resources for children
hope this
helps
wes
Carolyn
Nuttall, permaculture in schools pioneer
by Russ Grayson - last modified 25-07-2007 21:38
Carolyn Nuttall
based her first book, 'The Childrens Food Forest', on her experience
with primary children in food growing projects at Brisbane's Seville
Road State School, where she was a teacher. The book marks the start
of the use of the permaculture design system in schools and pointed to
an alternative direction for environmental education. More recently,
Carolyn wrote a workbook for use in schools and has been guest speaker
at conferences of the Australian City Farms & Community Gardens
Network (www.communitygarden.org.au), which hosts permaculture in
schools practitioners. That
'The Childrens Food
Forest' is still in print is testament to its value after all these
years.
The latest addition, added
today, is a fantastic new book - Outdoor Classrooms, A Handbook for School
Gardens
http://www.outdoorclassrooms.com.au/- from well-known
Permaculturists and primary school teachers: Carolyn Nuttall and Janet
Millington. Arming the next generation with a practical, sustainable
skillset is more than expedient, and this book will help teachers and
parents do just that.
Here's an editorial blurb on
the book:
The Outdoor Classroom handbook - a must-have for school
gardens
Queensland teachers Janet
Millington and Carolyn Nuttall have officially launched their book
Outdoor Classrooms - a handbook for school gardens.
The book is the culmination of many years teaching in and out of the
classroom, of practical gardening experience and learning how best to
integrate a garden into a school community and creatively weave the
outdoor classroom through all levels of curriculum.
School gardens are proving to be more vital than ever in these current
times and Janet Millington, who lives at Eumundi on the Sunshine
Coast, said that was one of the prime reasons they wrote the book.
"Food issues, economic concerns, human and planetary health, and
future sustainability are all under intense scrutiny. School gardens
address these concerns while teaching practical life-long skills
children will carry into adulthood," Ms Millington said.
"Teaching a child how to live more sustainably is one of the most
important lessons we can offer for the future. Outdoor classrooms
create the perfect environment for self-learning and self-directed
development to occur.
"It's okay for them to explore and be creative in the garden. They
can be as hands-on as they want, getting dirt under their nails and
plenty of exercise."
School gardens also have a wonderful flow-on effect beyond the school
fence line.
"Children become really excited about growing their own food. They
appreciate how difficult it can be at times to do it successfully.
They are so proud of their abundant harvests they often can't wait
to start a vegie patch at home to teach the rest of the family how to
do it too.
"A successful, supported school garden has the potential to benefit
an entire community," Ms Millington said.
Carolyn Nuttall, who lives in Brisbane, said their combined experience
in designing, creating, maintaining and teaching in school gardens
ensures the book is both teacher-friendly and relevant to today's
curriculum.
"We've aimed to make the book as practical and useful as possible
for teachers, while maintaining a high level of creative learning and
new ways of looking at things," Ms Nuttall said.
"Teachers have a busy workload and anything that can make their
lives easier is appreciated by them."
The book explores the many benefits a school garden offers when it is
creatively used as an outdoor classroom.
"Children experience a joyous
wonder at seeing a seed become a plant and that plant become lunch,"
Ms Nuttall said.
"The outdoor classroom offers a
unique space to learn skills of production, resourcefulness and care.
It allows children to exercise their natural curiosity and creativity
as learners.
"It has never been so critical to take the young into the outdoors -
away from computers and white boards into a classroom where they learn
practical skills for life and preparation for the challenges of the
21st century," Ms Nuttall said.
Both Carolyn and Janet share a passion for creating a wonderful,
nurturing outdoor learning experience for all school children - and
what better place to start than in a garden!
Childrens
Permaculture Resource Network
http://childrenspeaceguild.webs.com/cprn.htm
The C.P.R.N.
serves as a clearing house of Permaculture-related information. It was
created as a constantly evolving hub of print material, online
resources, history, and support to further expand the network of
childhood education.
Additionally, the
C.P.R.N. carries a selection of books, zines, and pamphlets for
children, parents, and educators. Topics include Permaculture,
Primitive Skills, Gardening, DIY, and Self-Sufficiency among
others.
For a current
list of available titles, to recommend a contribution, or for more
information about joining the network contact:
childrenspeaceguild@yahoo.com