In 2012, before teaching, I had an active role as a parent in the school where I now teach. My children were involved in a garden class after school; taught by an amazing teacher, Mr. Wagner.
My child was inspired, and having no experience with raised bed gardening I became intrigued. That summer, the kids and I put in two, 4' x 24' garden beds in the backyard and made a go of it. The level of learning that came from the experience was immense. We hope you enjoy our photo journey.
Ariana
Austin
Dustin
Paper Pot Seedlings
Our Backyard Inquiry
Our Bookshelf Comes to Life!
The Truck
Oh No!
BIG JOB little dude
Assembly Begins
Clearing the Ground
One Down!
Ready For Dirt!
The Path
Accomplishment
Friends
Life
A Taste of Our Harvest
When growing the vegetables themselves, my students (kids) took more of an interest in vegetables. They continue to grow in their appreciation of food and the influences they have on your body. Understanding the effects it has on the brain and the gut has come from several years of learning and knowledge that all stemmed... (pardon the pun) from their gardening experience.
My children have a new appreciation of the labor involved in providing care for something and have a new appreciation for all life. This has come in handy when explaining the importance of gratefulness, love, and compassion for others. All these experiences are connected. Plus, experiencing creation through the lens of child gives new meaning "life" itself.
The science goes without mention, but science inquiry was behind it all. They didn't learn it from a book they experienced it; failure and success, all through their own observation and experimentation. Learning is a constant, and inquiry is the irreplaceable foundation of knowledge.
