cultivating life skills our journey toward success? by shari lossou-lossavi and diane martinez
TRANSCRIPT
Cultivating Life Skills
Our Journey Toward Success?by
Shari Lossou-Lossavi
and
Diane Martinez
Why Start a Garden?
Desired a tangible way to connect science and math to our own school community
Many students already had a farming background so why not let their personal experiences benefit their school?
Push for nutrition awareness at our school
Desired to connect classroom learning to the outside garden, our extended classroom
Wanted kids to get excited about working with the land and being part of building a community
Beginning the Journey
Arianna Jones was a big asset finding grant money to start our garden
The Community Food Bank also provided soil and a few plants
We already had a plot to start the garden
We needed, supplies, seeds, plants, and irrigation equipment, things everyone needs, right? Done!
Now the toil...
We began to plant and transplant seeds and seedlings
We planted cabbage, kale, beans, and squash
We planted responsibility, work ethic, community, and fun. Done!
Inclement Weather…
We started late in the planting season. Who knew?
We did follow seasonal planting suggestions and planted indoor pots too
The plants started growing…the weather grew foul
The Weather Brightens
Most of our plants died Teachers’ hopes dwindled But wait…the kids renewed
the teachers’ faith, remembering the plants that had been grown indoors!
Transplanting and planting with new seeds continues…with new hope
Weeding Time
The garden needs tending. Time to weed.
The kids enthusiastically go overboard. They pull up weeds and new sprouts! Oh no!
Transplanting Knowledge
Literacy in the Garden Students
learned the process of creating and producing something from start to finish and beyond, inspiring them to share potted plants with our Character Counts Students of the Month.
Engaging, meaningful and fun activities inspired by literature written by the Junior Master Gardener Series
One activity we loved was “Paper Pots” created from recycled paper (pg. 13) using the “Garden Basics” concept.
Literacy in the Garden Students also liked
making the ‘earth clock’
(pg. 140)
Cultivation of Character
Our garden grew:Kale, cabbage, and broccoli Most importantly, kids with life skills using measurement, creativity, leadership and camaraderie Teachers with renewed hope