The flowering stage is a pivotal period in the life cycle of plants, drawing significant attention from people, especially during this vibrant season. The diverse array of shapes, vivid colors, and captivating fragrances make flowers a cherished element of human existence. However, not every flower enthusiast possesses the knowledge to distinguish between different varieties, particularly early bloomers known as primroses. Recognizing this need, Orysia Krechko, a biology teacher at Turye-Remety Secondary School and an IRCEF eco-activist, conducted a specialized lesson for 8th-grade students to educate them on identifying various types of primroses.
Before this session, many students mistakenly referred to snowdrops as spring snowflakes, only realizing during the lesson that they are distinct plant species. Some students observed the structural variances between these flowers for the first time. Reflecting on the floral habitats near the village, the children discovered a higher prevalence of spring snowflakes compared to common snowdrops. The students were aware of only two locations where the latter species thrived, indicating their dwindling presence each year.
The students were intrigued by crocus, a species they had never come across in the surrounding forests, despite hearing from local elders about their past existence in the area. The children all agreed that people may have taken most of these flowers, causing them to disappear, which could be a sign of what might happen to snowdrops in the future. The students delved into the Ukrainian and Latin names of the prevalent primroses in their locality to enhance accuracy in flower identification, addressing the common confusion arising from varied familial names for the same flower. The children tested their newfound knowledge through interactive tasks in the didactic game “Learning about Flora and Fauna through Play,” grasping the significance of standardized Latin names for plant and animal species worldwide.
At the end of the lesson, the students understood the need to protect primroses and highlighted the importance of preserving their beautiful appearance for both current and future generations. The lesson’s poignant slogan encapsulated this sentiment: “Flowers belong in the forest, not in a vase!”
The event was held within the framework of cooperation between the Interreligious and Civil Environmental Forum of Eastern Europe (IRCEF) headed by Olexander Bokotey) and the German Nature Conservation Union (NABU Bundesverband, NABU International), project coordinators Ivan Tymofeiev (NABU), and Nataliya Kulya (IRCEF).
Informational Service of IRCEF
