Growing a new school community in a garden

dc.contributor.advisorJaruszewicz, Candace
dc.contributor.committeeMemberBartel, Virginia
dc.contributor.committeeMemberEdwards, Linda
dc.creatorSwinburne, Bianca
dc.date.accessioned2016-10-18T16:13:56Z
dc.date.available2016-10-18T16:13:56Z
dc.date.issued2014-08-19
dc.description.abstractAs a new school forms, the development of community is essential to creating a positive learning environment that meets both academic and social-emotional needs of students. The purpose of the study was to examine how interactions in a garden could contribute to the development of community. From the literature, seven common elements of community were identified: inclusion, democracy, common purpose, diversity, communication, social interactions, and a connection with the earth. The participants were 13 students in first through third grade and three garden teachers at a newly opened school with a focus on environmental stewardship. Teacher and student initiated interactions were observed and recorded over the first three months of school. The data were analyzed to examine each element and interaction over time. The findings provided evidence of consistently positive interactions in the garden. Highly positive interactions in the garden include interconnection to the earth, and working together for a common purpose. Continuing instruction in the outdoor garden environment was recommended due to the highly positive community interactions observed.en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipCollege of Charleston. Graduate School; College of Charleston. Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/3101
dc.language.isoen_USen_US
dc.subjectEducation, Elementary; Communitiesen_US
dc.titleGrowing a new school community in a gardenen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
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