Last year the 3rd graders at our school created an outdoor garden of vegetables. Everyone's hard work was rewarding as we saw the children become fascinated with science. I'd like to keep nurturing a love of science in the kids I teach that will hopefully even last a lifetime.
The majority of our students come from military families, the Coast Guard and Army.
They have traveled all over the world. We will be growing some plants native to Hawaii that will be new for them to learn about. Others plants be will common plants. However, the students who've come from different backgrounds can enlighten us on how they've used these common plants in the past. This project will lead to cultural discussions, too.
My Project
In addition to doing an outdoor garden, this year I was hoping to do an indoor garden. The children can see how easy it can be to grow their own food. The aquaponics system will also be a visual tool as students learn about plant and animal interdependence. Our class in the past, has drawn with crayons their plant observations as time goes on. A mini-iPad will allow them to take photos for their plant logs instead. This project will integrate technology education as they become literate using an iPad and develop their typing skills.
Students can become quickly disengaged in learning when they fail to see the relevance of what they're learning.
This project is a hands-on project that will teach 3rd grade standards in addition to making science interesting and personal to them! If the students study science and use their knowledge, they get to eat! Who wouldn't love coming to school everyday to use an iPad, check on their plants, and eat some treats?
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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. Hironaka and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.