Journal 5.8:

It was sad to see our plants drooping and wilting away. I was alloted the Aloe Vera plant, which was to be kept in Nandhitha Mam's cabin. It was really tiny, but showed a little growth from before. We decided to bring out all of our plants out onto the bridge under the sunlight for sometime. It was because of varying temperatures in the cabin that much growth wasn't seen. Also, the reason why it was tiny, without much aloe gel.

We re-potted a few plants in a different soil to see if they grow, later. It was a messy-yet-fun job.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Journal 5.7:

The morning was a hustle bustle because we had to get things ready for the seminar – arrange the chairs, get tables to place the pots on them, set the system for the presentation and get the jokers and camera men ready. Also, we had a badge that every Eco-club member wore, I so loved it, it was a paper sunflower!

Just as we were set, the 5th graders hurriedly entered the seminar hall and took their seats. First, we played the video for them while Rijuta and I got ready for the seminar. I started off by asking the kids what they think is necessary for survival. Telling them what the soils can do to obtain rich nutrients for them to grow healthily, with the vegetable and fruit peels that we throw away into trash cans. Since, I added pictures to the PPT, it was easy for me to relate and explain. The jokers played their part by asking 2-3 riddles to the kids, dancing around, entertaining and getting them to laugh. Post this, was the role play that was enacted solely by whistling, it was fun to see. Right before the distribution of the peace lilys by Dr. Sonali to each of the class teachers, was a small song that Rolf sir sang, with actions and the rest followed. Soon after the distribution and the rounds of applause we instructed them on how to take care of the plants and then Rolf sir ended it with a short description of our Eco-club. At the 5th grade pod, we provided the teachers with a common fertilizer. In January, we thought we shall do the same for the 4th graders and so on.

Duration: 3 hours

Journal 5.6: Entry into 5th grade!

As we were checking on our plants kept on the bridge, few of the passersby, who were 5^th graders, stopped and looked at the plants, with sheer excitement. They began shooting questions, momentarily, about the names of the plant, how we know when to water and so on. This got us thinking about their high level of interest in nature and greenery of course.
We thought we could hold a seminar for these 5^th graders, altogether, where in we talk about the benefits of these indoor air purifiers, how to grow them and where in their house can they place the plants .
First, we will be showing a short video to them about pollution, how the coming years are going to be if we do not nurture our environment now, then use a PowerPoint presentation to share more information, making it a two-way session, have jokers make their way to throw riddles and entertain the crowd, enact a role play, sing, dance and make them do the same. Finally, we will ask Dr. Sonali to give away a peace lily plant to the class teachers of 5^th grade, separately.

So for this, we had to start re-potting the six peace lily's into six different pots, labelling each one with the section on it.

Duration: 1.5 hours