Help me give my students the chance to cultivate a connection with the land and an understanding of sustainable resource management by growing organic food in a raised bed garden.
I teach a very diverse group of 10-11-year-olds with over 12 nationalities represented. Many of my students go home to an empty house or take care of other siblings after school.
Because so many childrens' parents work long shifts the children are forced to eat fast or processed foods.
Over 45% of children in our school grades 3-5 are considered overweight by the government's standards. I would like to work with students to learn the importance of ecological literacy, caring for the earth while growing their own food, and what a healthy, balanced diet looks like.
My students are energetic, critical thinkers, that I want to help thrive in today's world with "21st-century skills".
My Project
I would like to design a school garden that will offer a place to enrich teaching efforts with powerful hands-on experiences, make learning come alive, and help children learn!
We will build a raised bed garden, start plants from seedlings, harvest, and hopefully motivate kids to eat and love fruits and vegetables.
Children who are familiar with growing their own food tend to eat more
fruits and vegetables (Bell & Dyment, 2008), and are more inclined to
continue healthy eating habits through adulthood (Morris & ZidenbergCherr, 2002).
Our school garden will serve as a “safe place” for students. Studies show that large numbers of students report “that they feel ‘calm,’ ‘safe,’ ‘happy,’and ‘relaxed’ while 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 Ms. Komara and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.