Gardening at school is great learning opportunity for kids to grow their own food, learn good nutrition, and practice the scientific method. In the past we have had a school garden, but this year we have moved and do not have an open plot of ground to garden. Basically we are in a concrete jungle
We are a small charter school with limited funds and we cannot afford to purchase these on our own.
Being an urban school, the children need to learn that they can grow their own food anywhere. That is where the earthboxes will help my students. These are gardening boxes with a unique watering system which waters the plants from a reservoir in the bottom of the box. We can put them on our concrete playground and have a portable, self contained garden anywhere. Watering will not be a huge issue since the boxes store water and the plants absorb moisture from the bottom up. The students will learn that they can do this at home, even if they don't have a garden plot or live in an apartment.
Our school also has an agriculture focus and we teach them all about agriculture in our state. We have recently received a grant to fund a greenhouse, so I am requesting curriculum materials to facilitate the best use of that gift.
My Project
I have seen the delight of students as they have grown their own vegetables and fruits. In the past recess time has been a time to pick peas, spinach, and strawberries from our garden. These earthboxes will give my students this opportunity to grow and eat their own food. Children are more likely to try new foods if they have grown them themselves. They also learn that fruits and vegetable don't magically appear in the grocery store. Even failures in the garden are learning experiences. After we grow our food we then learn the nutritional value of the foods we have grown and how to safely prepare it. We also study healthy eating habits and how gardening can help us be healthier people. Also, students who have a healthy diet come to school ready to learn.
Please help me help my students learn where their food comes from and that they can grow their own food regardless of where they live.
Healthy eating and gardening go hand in hand. I am also requesting matching funds from "FEED USA" so you will double your donation if see their logo next to this project. Thank you and happy gardening!
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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. Ottley and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.