Nature Program
There are all sorts of ways a student learns; books, assigned problems, observations, audio, visual or hands on discovery. Having access to a garden satisfies the opportunity for all these learning styles. It’s not just about the beautiful flowers or the produce in the garden. It’s about the journey and the challenges and successful discoveries made getting the dirt ready, to plant the seeds, to grow the plants, to get the flowers or produce to bloom and then to keep the pests away without contaminating the watershed!
Working in the garden involves not only getting fresh air and exercise but using math and science skills while measuring and testing the pH Balance of the plot for amendment purposes. Thanks to computers, students can research the types of plants available, their soil and weather needs and when they will produce. Using their art, math, design skills and group cooperation they are able to creatively layout the garden to get the most use of their space. While planting they are delving into life sciences discovering the differences in soil and learning which bugs are garden pests and which are garden helpers. They discover bugs in various stages of growth and learn the difference between a weed and a flower or vegetable. Composting gives a whole new appreciation of ecology; where you should throw your table scraps, and why. Journaling about the soil, weather, planting times, and growth patterns is a great way to fine-tune a students’ writing skills. They are even working on Spanish vocabulary in the garden.
Our gardens are changing everyday. Come and visit the garden - stop by and smell the roses.
