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