This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
We are an urban school in Metro Nashville. Our students come from low-income, high-incident homes and they have struggles I will never understand. Coming to school each day provides much needed structure and support for our students. While they might have obstacles out of their control, our students are resilient, smart, compassionate, and curious. I can honestly say, in my 14 years of education, they are some of the most creative and persevering students I've ever had. Our school is a community school, which means we educate and support the whole child, whole family, and whole community. We are determined to create the village it takes to raise a child.
Tiger Pride, Tiger Love, and Tiger Excellence!
Every day we remind our students that we are proud of them, we love them, and they are excellent and beautiful. I can't wait to see what they do once they go out into the world, because it will be awesome. I love them and there's "nothing they can do about it."
My Project
Last year, I applied and received a grant from the USDA to start a community garden and created a unit around "Urban Agriculture". We focused on health/disease as it relates to processed vs. fresh food, the significance of locally grown food as a sustainable option vs. global distribution channels, labs relating to photosynthesis, pollination, and plant growth, understanding planting, maintenance and harvest techniques using STEAM education, understanding the importance of pollinators and the plants that attract them. I was amazed at the level of engagement and interest in living in a healthy, sustainable community. My wheels started spinning and stopped at "Fresh on 38th".
With your help, we will be able to expand our current garden into the beginnings of an urban farm called "Fresh on 38th", the only one of its kind.
Students should have options for a healthier lifestyle, not just nutritionally, but academically and socially. With the greenhouse and supplies, we will be able to have a year-round approach to agriculture and environmental science, and social/emotional learning. All students will benefit from the "green classroom" as we will use it to anchor many of our STEAM units. It will be a great way to present photosynthesis, the structure and role of gases in the atmosphere, and the sustained inquiry process to the younger students, while the older students can focus on biology and environmental science topics such as health/wellness, sustainability, land use, the nitrogen cycle, and environmental threats. Engineering, both agricultural and computer based, will be explored through irrigation and vertical trellis systems, mobile app development for planting and harvesting calendars and organization. Finally, I'd like for this urban farm to bring the community together in a healthy, vibrant way.
"Fresh on 38th" is going to be a big deal and you should be part of it.
Palram Snap & Grow 8' Series Hobby Greenhouse - 8 x 8 x 9 Silver
• Amazon Business
$846.82
1
$846.82
Zenport SH3222A 3-Tier Greenhouse Plant Growing Rack
• Amazon Business
$50.21
7
$351.47
Greenes Fence RCCOMP36 Cedar Wood Composter, 23.25 Cu ft / 173.92 gallons
• Amazon Business
$105.44
1
$105.44
Palram Anchor Kit for Nature Series Greenhouses, Silver
• Amazon Business
$84.99
1
$84.99
Potting Bench - Weatherguard Garden and Greenhouse Workbench Portable Gardening Center - Features removable trimmings bin and adjustable shelf (39"W x 32"H x 15"D)
• Amazon Business
$65.92
1
$65.92
Auto Vent Kit for all Palram Greenhouses
• Amazon Business
$52.24
1
$52.24
Fiskars Traditional Bypass Pruning Shears
• Amazon Business
$15.59
3
$46.77
Palram Trellising Kit Pro for All Greenhouses
• Amazon Business
$37.95
1
$37.95
Fiskars Fiber Composite Soil Scoop (7068)
• Amazon Business
$5.00
4
$20.00
Materials cost
$1,611.60
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$24.17
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$1,665.77
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$293.96
Total project goal
$1,959.73
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$1,959.73
15 Donors
-$1,528.85
Donations toward project cost
-$1,300.27
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$228.58
match offer
-$430.00
Match offer toward project cost
-$365.50
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
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. Reeder-Martin and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.