Castanet – Sigrie Kendrick – November 9, 2022
Photo: Contributed Grade 5 and 6 students at Okanagan Christian School learn about xeriscape gardening.
Recently the Okanagan Xeriscape Association was approached by the Okanagan Christian School to consult on a sustainable school planting and provide a xeriscape presentation to a class of Grade 5 and 6 students.
I have given xeriscape presentations to a wide variety of organizations over the years, but I had never spoken to young people like this. I was simultaneously excited and terrified.
Reminiscing about my own schooling, and considering the educators who had had a profound influence on me when I was growing up, I realized one of those influential people was my Grade 5 science teacher. To this day I can recall his name and, in doing so, realize the huge opportunity with which I was presented.
Not only could I teach this class about xeriscape, proper plant selection and planting methods, but hopefully I could learn how to more-effectively engage these young minds—our collective future.