The cost of the seeds, equipment and gardening implments is $460, including shipping and <a target="new" href="http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm" onclick="g_openWindow('http://www.donorschoose.org/html/fulfillment.htm', 300, 800, 'fulfillwindow');return false;">fulfillment</a>.
I am a Science Lab Specialist for an upstate elementary school who teaches all grade levels, Kindergarten through 5th grade. We are a diverse school, with over 50 nationalities represented. In recent years, our English as a Second Language population has risen to 10 percent. We have fantastic students who love to learn.
Last year (2004-2005), we went through a renovation which added a new addition to the back of the school. The new building is beautiful, but the grounds have been devastated by the construction. Our once green environment has now become a dust bowl full of red clay and dying grass. There is very little animal or plant life left. You don't see or hear any birds, and even the squirrels have gone elsewhere. The sight of one, lone caterpillar on the ground causes a huge scream of delight, as if they had never seen one before. This is how desperate our students are for outdoor life to re-emerge here. Our students have no areas where they can explore nature. Relevant environmental science experiences have been lost to our students.
Therefore, I want to bring life back to our school by creating a learning garden in the courtyard behind my science lab. This area is perfect! It is a long, narrow courtyard between the old and new buildings which receives an even amount of sunlight throughout the day and is buffered from the wind. We have two sources of water and a boy scout troop eager to help us get started. Students in grades 3-5 have already begun designing plans for the garden area. The excitement shown by the students is incredible. They cannot wait to be able to see butterflies, to help weed and dig, and to have a peaceful place to write and create.
Once the garden project is completed, students in every grade level will have the opportunity to experience science up-close. Hands-on experiences with butterfly life cycles, plant growth, plant and animal adaptations, and classification will help students see science in action. Our art teacher will be able to have her students be inspired by natural textures, lines, and colors. Benches and other seating will allow students to reflect and journal or even plop down with a good book and read as they are surrounded by a grove of flowers. Social studies will also be included with a South Carolina heirloom garden area and a Native American tee-pee garden section. The possibilities are endless!
The materials needed are basic gardening supplies - soil, shovels, gloves, watering cans, wood chips - as well as wood for building garden boxes,a Monet bridge, and our tee-pee, rocks for stepping stones, several benches, and lots and lots of seeds for our different plants.
Thank you for helping with our school gardening project! With your help, our students will have an amazing garden they will always remember.
More than a third of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. DeMeritt and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
