My Patch of Earth: Using the Schoolground as a Teaching and Learning Referent for an Environmental Ethic.

The schoolground is a small and vital piece of earth--a microcosm of a diverse and sustaining world. Promoting an environmental ethic in this location is a challenging opportunity for educators. This paper shows that natural places in schoolgrounds can provide the venue for exciting and ongoing teaching and learning opportunities in this outdoor classroom. This paper first presents how stories and a spiritual connection to the land can enhance an environmental ethic. An assessment of the ecoliteracy and Earth Education programs is outlined. This is followed by an introduction to the Australian Timelines project and the Globe Program which are initiatives which promote the regular observation and monitoring of natural events to explore concepts of ecology. The paper then introduces the story "My Patch" as a referent for teaching and learning about the natural environment. Developed by the author, with a class of 6 year old children, the story provides an integrated learning focus characteristic of a holistic view of education. The story describes the experience of a child who adopted a piece of the earth in the schoolground. The importance of narrative as a way of promoting a sensitive relationship with the earth is presented. The final section of the paper discusses the relevance of "My Patch" in supporting teaching and learning and in promoting an environmental ethic. (Contains 19 references.) (Author/SAH)