The Harmony Project: Celebrating Interdependence Through Soil and Art

“Just as the soil feeds the plant, so the plant feeds the soil.” – Grade 2 Harmony Learner

Understanding the world around us is essential to not only appreciate the beauty it offers but to ensure its sustainability. The Grade 2 students at Bahia Formosa School, under the guidance of Teacher Tash, embarked on a journey through the Harmony Workshop to explore the Principle of Interdependence by focusing on the beautiful relationship between soil and plants.

What We Covered:

Soil’s Creation and Purpose: Soil is not just a lifeless entity; it is a living ecosystem in itself. The students learned the magical process of soil formation from decaying plants and how this nutritious concoction helps plants grow.

Plants Return the Favor: As plants decay, they enrich the soil with vital nutrients, ensuring a cycle of growth and rebirth.

The Human-Soil Connection: Soil not only aids plant growth but also supports human life. Our students explored different types of soils: clay for crafts, loam for planting, and sand for our beloved beach days!

Our Role: Every journey should end with introspection. The workshop culminated with reflections on how we can give back to the soil that sustains us.

Activities:

Nature’s Cycle: The school garden became a classroom where students witnessed firsthand how decaying plants enrich the soil for future growth.

Soil Hunt: This was a treasure hunt! Students were tasked with finding seven different shades of soil, each representing a unique characteristic and nutrient profile.

Soil Rainbow Art: Using a rainbow template and wood glue, students carefully sprinkled the diverse soil types to create gradient rainbows. A vivid portrayal of the colors beneath our feet.

Pattern Creation: Once their soil rainbows dried, students weaved patterns, emphasizing the cyclical and interconnected patterns of nature.

The grand finale of this journey is the upcoming the Soil and the Sky exhibition, to be displayed during a school play at the Kwanokuthula community center this Friday ( 01/09/2023) and later at the Plett Arts Festival at the Kwendalo Institute. Students showcased their multi-disciplinary knowledge, intertwining science, mathematics, and literacy through their vibrant artwork.

Reflection:

When viewed holistically, it becomes evident that nature thrives on a web of relationships. From the bees that pollinate flowers to the trees that communicate underground, nature is an embodiment of interdependence. Our students captured this spirit beautifully, voicing insights like, “plants and soil are like best friends” and “everything in nature works together.”

As educators, the principle of Interdependence not only influences what we teach but how we teach it. We must endeavor to bridge subjects, emphasizing thematic learning, mirroring the interconnectedness observed in nature.

Looking Ahead:

Just as ecosystems thrive on interdependence, so should our learning. We are inspired to delve deeper into other themes of interdependence, exploring various habitats, ecosystems, and the intricate balance of relationships that they foster.

Join us on our future quests of understanding and appreciate how, just as everything in nature is linked, our learning should reflect the same. Together, let’s craft a harmonious and sustainable future.

By: Natasha Wilbert (aka Teacher Tash)