65189 Wiesbaden, Obermayr Europa-Schule Wiesbaden

The German-English bilingual classes of 4a/4b used project week to complete a multi-tiered learning project with the school garden as its central focus. The five learning targets spelled out E-N-D-U-R-E and the meaning of this word will be present each day to create a mindset surrounded around the meaning of the word. 

Using the central theme of Endure, the goal was for the children to visualize how they have endured through the Covid-19 pandemic and have grown stronger because of it. Children discussed obstacles and challenges they have gone through in the classroom and at home in the past two years. 

Transitioning away from the self, children reflected on the challenges the world faces. Once a student mentioned the environment, this became the central theme of the discussion. Once children transitioned their reflection from the self to the environment, we ended the class discussion by going back to the self. Children were asked how they, as individuals, can personally impact the environment. This discussion allowed students to develop empathy for nature and see how each child’s individual health and the health of nature are intertwined.  


endure - remain in existence; last.


ENDURE Learning Targets

1. Engage more fully in academics through hands-on experiences.
2. Normalize interaction between self and nature.
3. Develop a sense of place and a curiosity about nature.
4. Understand where food comes from.
5. Responsibility: do real, hands-on work and see the outcome.
6. Enrich reading with practical real-world transference.

Projects
1. Introduction to Decomposition 
Using clear bags, plant debris, and pieces of old food, students created decomposition bags. The purpose was to show how food can decompose and later be used as compost for gardens. This helped illustrate how something can endure death to help something else grow and thrive.  

2. Working in the Garden
In small groups throughout the year students watered and planted vegetables and plants in the garden. During project week, students spent most of the school day beautifying and enhancing the class garden. 

3. Rock Art and Garden Decorations
After discovering rocks and various items in a local park, students cleaned the items and used paint to decorate the objects. The class then placed the items in the school garden to the school garden to beautify the garden and give the children a sense of ownership and pride in their hard work. 

4. Bread Making & Garden Fest
Students completed a bilingual Science lesson that details how bread is made. For this project we made bread using a recipe and baked the bread in the morning. In the afternoon, students ate bread and brought vegetables and other garden food to enjoy.  

5. ENDURE Reflection
To finalize the week, each student identified one thing they have endured in the past along with one thing nature must endure in the future. This will close out the project and culminate coming full circle with the theme of endure. 

Final Concert
https://youtu.be/MBZ4_yow4Bk

https://youtu.be/tacE5Y55KGc

Obermayr Europa-Schule Wiesbaden (Grundschule Bierstadter Straße)
Klasse 4a/4b
Fr. Baumann / Mr. McDonald