Program Details of "Sugarcane: Summer Observation"
Program Details of "Sugarcane: Summer Observation"
Overview
| Date | July 17, 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 and carried out weeding activities. Additionally, students explored the garden using Let’s Find It Cards. |
Program Details of "Sugarcane: Summer Observation"
| Time | Learning Content and Activities | Teaching Strategies and Considerations |
| 10:00 AM | Greetings and introduction of botanical garden staff. | |
| 10:05 AM | Explanation of botanical garden rules. | Using a picture story, students were instructed on the "Requests from the Botanical Garden," covering: 1. Do not take plants, 2. Do not enter restricted areas, 3. Do not eat plants, 4. Do not run. |
| 10:10 AM | Students were divided into two groups to begin activities. | Each group was supported by two botanical garden staff members. |
| 10:10 AM | <Sugarcane Group>
|
Prepare an A3-sized picture story and use it in a quiz format to teach about the growth characteristics of sugarcane (main stalk, branching, etc.) and how to observe them. Pull out some sugarcane planted as a backup and explain, showing the main stalk and how it branches. |
| 10:25 AM |
|
   |
| 10:40 AM | <Botanical Garden Outdoor Tour>
Outdoor tour using Let’s Find It Cards (about 30 minutes). | Botanical garden staff led the outdoor tour, guiding students to explore the garden and observe plants in bloom, living creatures, and staff at work.  |
| 11:10 AM |
|
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 Sugarcane Observation
Q1: Was this learning activity helpful?
| Yes | 7 |
| Somewhat | 1 |
| Average | 0 |
| Not very much | 0 |
| No | 0 |
Q2: Did the students enjoy the activity?
| Yes | 6 |
| Somewhat | 2 |
| Average | 0 |
| Not very much | 0 |
| No | 0 |
Q3: Did the students understand the activity?
| Yes | 0 |
| Somewhat | 7 |
| Average | 1 |
| Not very much | 0 |
| No | 0 |
Feedback from Teachers
- It was easy to understand the differences in growth compared to the sugarcane we are growing at school.
- The setup allowed students in wheelchairs to observe comfortably and touch the grass and soil.
- Actually pulling out a sugarcane and looking at the roots helped deepen their understanding.
- The initial explanation of what to focus on when observing the sugarcane made the observation easier. The measuring sticks for checking height were easy to see, and I heard they will be placed next to the sugarcane later, which will make it even clearer.
- Pulling out one sugarcane to demonstrate growth made a strong impression and drew the students’ focus. It was easy to see that there are both thick and thin stalks.
About the Let’s Find It Card
Q1: Was this learning activity helpful?
| Yes | 5 |
| Somewhat | 3 |
| Average | 0 |
| Not very much | 0 |
| No | 0 |
Q2: Did the students enjoy the activity?
| Yes | 6 |
| Somewhat | 2 |
| Average | 0 |
| Not very much | 0 |
| No | 0 |
Q3: Did the students understand the activity?
| Yes | 0 |
| Somewhat | 8 |
| Average | 0 |
| Not very much | 0 |
| No | 0 |
Feedback from Teachers
- It was great that students could observe and touch trees, flowers, and plants.
- There was joy in discovering a variety of plants.
- The matching effect gave students a sense of accomplishment, which was very good.
- Including not only plants but also birds, insects, and people at work broadened the range of interests and was excellent.
- It was good to be able to learn while walking in the shade. Even students who are sensitive to heat were able to participate in the activity.
Requests for Lessons at the Botanical Garden
- We appreciated having the break room set up so that students could rest comfortably.
- Regarding the sugarcane lesson, it would be nice if students could compare the taste of four different types of sugar.
- If it is still hot next time, it might be better to focus only on observing the sugarcane rather than covering both activities.
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