Spanish School Life - Nature

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Los Huertos Escolares (School Gardens)

Standards Addressed:

  • Communication Standard 1.2: Learner understands and interprets information about nature and environment in Spanish.

  • Culture Standard 2.1: Learner investigates environmental practices in Spanish schools.

  • Connections Standard 3.1: Learner builds knowledge of science and nature while using Spanish.

  • Comparisons Standard 4.2: Learner compares environmental practices across cultures.




Learning Objectives

By the end of this activity, students will be able to:

  • Identify common plants in Spanish school gardens

  • Understand environmental education in Spanish schools

  • Use Spanish vocabulary related to nature and gardening

  • Create a plan for a school garden

Article

Green Learning in Spanish Schools

Many Spanish schools have something special: a school garden or "huerto escolar." These gardens are outdoor classrooms where students learn about nature, science, and healthy eating.

What Grows in Spanish School Gardens? Spanish school gardens grow many plants:

  • Vegetables (Verduras):

    • Tomatoes (tomates)

    • Lettuce (lechuga)

    • Carrots (zanahorias)

    • Peppers (pimientos)

  • Herbs (Hierbas):

    • Basil (albahaca)

    • Parsley (perejil)

    • Mint (menta)

  • Flowers (Flores):

    • Marigolds (caléndulas)

    • Sunflowers (girasoles)

Garden Activities Students do many activities in the garden:

  • Plant seeds (plantar semillas)

  • Water plants (regar las plantas)

  • Remove weeds (quitar las malas hierbas)

  • Harvest vegetables (cosechar verduras)

  • Study insects (estudiar los insectos)

  • Learn about composting (aprender sobre el compost)

Environmental Learning The garden helps students learn about:

  • The plant life cycle

  • Local ecosystems

  • Weather and seasons

  • Healthy eating

  • Sustainability

Comprehension Questions (Answer in Spanish)

  1. ¿Qué es un huerto escolar? (What is a school garden?)

  2. ¿Qué verduras crecen en el huerto? (What vegetables grow in the garden?)

  3. ¿Qué actividades hacen los estudiantes? (What activities do students do?)

  4. ¿Qué aprenden los estudiantes en el huerto? (What do students learn in the garden?)




Short Essay Question (Choose one to answer in Spanish, minimum 3 sentences)

  1. Describe tu planta favorita del huerto escolar. ¿Por qué te gusta? (Describe your favorite plant from the school garden. Why do you like it?)

  2. ¿Cómo ayuda el huerto escolar al medio ambiente? (How does the school garden help the environment?)




Optional Technology Activity (DOK 3)

Design a Digital Garden Plan

Using Google Drawings:

  1. Create a new drawing titled "Mi Huerto Escolar"

  2. Design your garden:

    • Draw garden beds and paths

    • Label plants in Spanish

    • Add a weather station area

    • Include a compost area

    • Create a planting schedule

  3. Add to your design:

    • Color coding for different plant types

    • Plant care instructions in Spanish

    • Garden tool list

    • Seasonal planting guide

  4. Share your garden plan through Google Classroom

Go Beyond

Learn more about school gardens:

Glossary

  • huerto = garden

  • planta = plant

  • semilla = seed

  • tierra = soil

  • regar = to water

  • crecer = to grow

  • verduras = vegetables

  • hierbas = herbs

  • flores = flowers

  • insectos = insects

  • compost = compost

  • medio ambiente = environment

Grading Rubric

4 (Exceeds Expectations)

  • Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of school gardens

  • Uses rich vocabulary related to plants and gardening

  • Creates detailed responses about environmental concepts

  • Essay shows deep appreciation for nature and sustainability

  • Garden plan (if chosen) shows exceptional creativity and research

  • Work reflects understanding of environmental importance

3 (Meets Expectations)

  • Shows good understanding of school gardens

  • Uses appropriate nature vocabulary

  • Provides accurate information about plants and activities

  • Essay includes clear explanations with good detail

  • Garden plan (if chosen) contains all required elements

  • Work demonstrates good grasp of environmental concepts

2 (Approaching Expectations)

  • Shows basic understanding of gardens

  • Uses simple vocabulary with some errors

  • Includes basic information about plants

  • Essay attempts to express ideas but lacks detail

  • Garden plan (if chosen) includes basic information

  • Work shows partial understanding of concepts

1 (Below Expectations)

  • Shows minimal understanding of garden concepts

  • Uses very limited vocabulary with major errors

  • Information about plants is incomplete

  • Essay is brief and lacks clear understanding

  • Garden plan (if chosen) is missing key elements

  • Shows limited comprehension of material

0 (No Evidence)

  • No work submitted

  • Responses are in English rather than Spanish

  • Shows no understanding of garden concepts

  • Garden plan not attempted

  • No evidence of engagement with material

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