Program Details of "Sugarcane: Autumn Observation"
Program Details of "Sugarcane: Autumn Observation"
Overview
| Date | September 13, 2012 |
| Location | Tsukuba Botanical Garden |
| Target group | Students in the Senior Department at Tsuchiura Special Needs Education School (34 students in total, including 2 wheelchair users) |
| Content | After a brief lesson on sugarcane, students measured and observed the plants. Students also tasted the sugarcane and compared the sweetness of different parts and sizes. In addition, students participated in Experience Craft using magnolia leaves.
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Program Details of "Sugarcane: Autumn Observation"
| Time | Learning Content and Activities | Teaching Strategies and Considerations |
| 10:00 AM | Greetings and introduction of botanical garden staff. | |
| 10:05 AM | Students were divided into two groups to begin activities. | Each group was supported by two botanical garden staff members. |
| 10:05 AM | <Sugarcane Group>
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An A3-sized picture story was prepared, and learned about sugarcane in a quiz format. |
| 10:15 AM | Measure and observe the sugarcane (about 10 minutes) | Observation sheets and measuring stick (about 5 meters) were prepared.  Large pots for students in wheelchairs were moved to an easily accessible, shaded location for observation.
Had the students observe the sugarcane they planted themselves.  |
| 10:25 AM |
|
Students tasted sugarcane that has been fully grown in the greenhouse in advance.  |
| 10:35 AM | <Botanical Garden Experience Craft> Magnolia Art (about 30 minutes). |
Making masks and other creations using magnolia leaves. |
| 11:05 AM |
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Explanation included watering, weeding, hilling, and fertilizing. |
| 11:20 AM | Departure from the botanical garden. | Garden staff saw off the students by bus. |
Results of the Post-Program Teacher Survey
About the Sugarcane Learning
Q1: Was this learning activity helpful?
| Yes | 8 |
| Somewhat | 1 |
| Average | 0 |
| Not very much | 0 |
| No | 0 |
Q2: Did the students enjoy the activity?
| Yes | 9 |
| Somewhat | 0 |
| Average | 0 |
| Not very much | 0 |
| No | 0 |
Q3: Did the students understand the activity?
| Yes | 7 |
| Somewhat | 2 |
| Average | 0 |
| Not very much | 0 |
| No | 0 |
Feedback from Teachers
- It was great to be able to see the growth of the sugarcane.
- Students could understand that the sweetness varies depending on the part of the stalk, and it was good that they could actually taste it.
- The sugarcane had grown so much, which was both surprising and easy to understand.
- It was sweet and a completely new experience, which made it fun.
- Sugarcane is a great teaching material because students can observe it not just visually but also by taste.
- The growth was fast and substantial, making it easy to compare with before.
- Measuring the height and thickness of the sugarcane allowed students to compare it with their previous observations and see how much it had grown.
- The sugarcane showed significant growth, making it easy for students to observe. It was very impressive.
- The taste comparison was easy to understand and made the differences clear.
- They were surprised that the sugarcane, which had been about 2 meters tall, had exceeded 3 meters in just a short period.
- Since the sugarcane had grown much taller than last time, students could clearly see its growth, and many were amazed, watching it closely.
About the Magnolia Craft
Q1: Was this learning activity helpful?
| Yes | 6 |
| Somewhat | 2 |
| Average | 0 |
| Not very much | 0 |
| No | 0 |
Q2: Did the students enjoy the activity?
| Yes | 7 |
| Somewhat | 1 |
| Average | 0 |
| Not very much | 0 |
| No | 0 |
Q3: Did the students understand the activity?
| Yes | 5 |
| Somewhat | 3 |
| Average | 0 |
| Not very much | 0 |
| No | 0 |
Feedback from Teachers
- Since the activity only involved attaching leaves and decorations, it didn’t take much time and was easy to enjoy. The finished pieces turned out well.
- Students were able to quickly understand how to do it and get started on the activity, which was good.
- Each student could add their own ideas, resulting in unique and personal creations.
- Students of all abilities, from those with severe needs to those with mild needs, were able to enjoy the activity in their own way.
- Some students happily collaborated on pieces following the suggestion “try making it together.”
- Students named leaves they recognized, which allowed them to engage with familiar nature in an easy way. I thought it was a good teaching material.
- Surprisingly, students really enjoyed the magnolia craft. They were very focused during the activity.
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