We are in a Title 1 school, where 96% of our students are on free or reduced lunch. I work with a kindergarten and first grade group, afterschool, who are most 'at risk' of either homelessness, or being retained. The goal of this group is to provide academic enrichment, promote healthy lifestyles, and character education.
These children are our future and I am trying to get them on a level playing field!
They deserve to learn and experience things that they may not be able to at home.
My Project
There is no longer time during the school day to garden, as we used to. Thankfully, we have 2 hours after school! I teach an after school enrichment program, all year long, for kindergarten and first grade 'at risk' students. I do my best to get it going every year and am always grateful where I can find donations!
Our biggest need is always soil!!
This is my biggest expense every year because of Florida SAND! I've started, but we really need a lot more to keep going. We also need a decent hose, I've done all of the 'surgery' that I can to the ones I've bought in the past. We are also in need of a place to keep our tools, they are starting to get ruined from the Florida sun and rain.
Many of these children have never seen food growing, and some don't even realize that it DOES! This is always illustrated best when I ask the question, "What do you think we can grow in our garden?" Some of the answers would astound you! Some of my favorite answers have been, hamburgers, eggs, and chicken nuggets!
I teach them about seeds, the parts of a plant, about insects (good and not-so-good!), pollination, soil, what healthy plants need to grow, photosynthesis, the difference between fruits and vegetables, what can be grown here in Florida and why, healthy eating habits, etc.
I love to let them experience this, and they love the hands-on learning and the feeling of accomplishment. There is nothing better than to watch them pull up their first radish or carrot, and to see the look on their face, or to see their feeling of accomplishment in making salads or salsa from everything grown in their garden!
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