Our garden was used as an outdoor classroom. It is used as a
laboratory where students can experience first-hand what they
learn in the classroom and to experience science in ways that
are impossible indoors. The garden is now being used by nearly
150 students in grades kindergarten through 5th grade are now
using the garden. Our garden is a place where the children fine
tune observation, vocabulary, and math skills as they plan what
and how much to plant.
Community volunteers and the lead teacher in our school maintain
the garden throughout the summer. Two of our volunteers are senior
citizens who add a multi-generation aspect to our garden. The
students also come by and ask to come in and help, nobody is ever
turned away.
Our main social aspect is that our garden acts as a gathering
place. Neighbors visit and are encouraged to take excess compost
or mulch. All of our visitors comment on the calming effects of
a visit to the garden. It is a safe place for students to come
in the summer or any other time. Our garden now acts as the focal
point for our school’s celebration of Earth Day.
The students are involved every step of the way. Our garden
is a hands-on experience. During the school year the students
water, plant, and maintain the garden. Our students moved ten
cubic yards of compost into the garden in just two days.
Each volunteer has a raised bed to garden. The produce from
the school beds is shared with the children and visitors as it
ripens in the summer. Spring and fall produce is prepared and
eaten by students in our classes.
The most important thing our students take away from the garden
is seeing themselves as the caretakers of their environment. They
see that all living things have a purpose and a reason and that
it is their job to respect and take care the world in which they
live. But most of all they see the importance of living Green.
