FW: Research results and studies

**Sally McCabe sallymcc@libertynet.org>**

This seemed more relevant to the schoolgardens listserve than to community
gardens, so I'm crossing over. It came into the ACGA office this week. Can
somebody give them some advice?  Thanks!

>       -----Original Message-----From: Bice Family
>[b*@winco.net] Sent: Sunday, February 06, 2000 7:39  PMTo:
>smccabe@pennhort.orgSubject: Research results and  studies Dear fellow
>gardeners,  I am writing in  hopes of receiving some information for
>developing a theory based paper for a  graduate class at Western Illinois
>University.  I am a 3rd grade teacher  very interested in developing our
>school grounds into a learning environment for  hands-on learning for
>children Pre--K-6th grade.  We have had fund raisers,  obtained small
>grants, and had lots of community support for our work. We have  developed
>3 Butterfly gardens,  which have been a source of great pride and
>OWNERSHIP for the students.....but several very narrow-minded and
>unenlightened  school board members have questioned the work we do
>outdoors....claiming we  should "be in our seats .....learning these
>things from our science text  books...not outside "Playing in the dirt". 
>Now I spend most of  my time trying to validate our efforts and fighting
>for our program to  exist.  Not only are the students learning "from the
>book"   but all the skills we stress are listed in our curriculum AND are
>in alignment  with our state standards. NOW COMES THE CHALLENGE.   I am
>enrolled in  a graduate class ( having had to start all over because too
>many years had  elapsed since I started grad work...) after being a
>practicing teacher for 25  years.  As an assignment in RESEARCH METHODS we
>are to pick a topic of  interest and find empirical studies showing
>quantitative and qualitative results  of research involving children.  My
>paper showing proof that "Garden  Based Curriculum in Science Enhances
>Community Pride in Children" will  satisfy my requirements for my grad
>class........AND will be the bridge over the  gap (hopefully) to prove to
>the school board that children who are INVOLVED  learn more, and develop
>sensitivity to the members of the community as  well.  It is like
>preaching to the CHOIR....but most of the board is NOT  involved in
>education, nor are they in tune with what makes kids TICK.  I  would like
>to have proof and credibility under my belt before another  "showdown"
>this spring.  We use the money we earn to plant  perennials, annuals,
>mulch, tools, edging  and fertilizer.  Adult  volunteers spend a week-end
>getting the gardens ready.  Then on PLANTING  DAY each and every child
>gets to plant flowers in a border of  PURPLE-YELLOW-WHITE. the 3 rd
>graders also start plants from seed and monitor  their growth with
>measurement and charting skills as well.   Our  garden stands for school
>pride and OWNERSHIP....and in 3 years have had NO  vandalism.  To me that
>is proof in itself that the children are learning  community pride. 
>Please send me copies of any available study showing data  that proves the
>same concepts.  I will continue SINGIN' the SONG....I just  need some
>LYRICS.... so maybe others will sing along!   Thank-you for  your time, 
>Friends of the Garden Coordinator, Julie Ann Bice , 7810 N.  850th Rd, 
>Colchester, Illinois 62326 (309-776-3309) or Colchester Grade  School
>(309-776-3790)  ( I have pulled info off your website.....I will use  it
>as well)
>

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