On The Land is one of the "specials" classes in the Orchard Valley grade school curriculum. Through this class, students broadly learn about and move upon the 55 acres that comprise the Grace Farm campus. The curriculum varies by year and by season.
On The Land classes worked with fire throughout the late fall. As the hours of darkness increase with the season, tending to fires brings much needed warmth and light. The younger grades (1-3) learned to build and tend fires, gathering around for stories about how the forest creatures prepare for winter. Class 4/5 learned to cook over the fires they built, making delicious treats such as baked honey apples and bread on a stick! Grades 6-8 worked with friction fire and carved bow drill kits of their own. Friction fire making will continue throughout the winter when the snow is thin.
As winter settles in, the curriculum shifts to ski season. All students in grades 2-7 have been outfitted with cross-country skis, and this week class 2/3 had their first cross-country ski lesson! Grade 1 students will continue to explore the forest in winter, on snowshoes when needed.
While waiting for snow, Grades 6-8 continued their work with friction fire, while grades 4-5 began to work with the Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District to learn how the school can improve its waste management and work toward greater sustainability. Grade 2/3 has cycled back to their work with the Three Sisters garden they tended in the fall, baking cornbread from corn they grew and ground into cornmeal themselves! Grade 1 has been working on a large shelter, adding greenery to make a cozy outdoor space to gather in the winter.
Grade 8 will be skiing during Movement class with Mr. Maynard, and will use their On The Land class time in service to the greater community. The class has been split into three groups and each will cycle between working at three locations: 1. North Branch Nature Center, where they will work to protect trees from beaver damage; 2. Orchard Valley's Sweet Clover Nursery, where they will help in the infant room; 3. Good Samaritan Haven, where they will help staff at the homeless shelter to prepare for the winter. Each group will have a chance to visit all three of the sites. The class will then shift into a deeper look at the issues of Global Climate Change and Food Justice.
