As I looked to bridge the long summer days spent outside in the Pacific Northwest with our annual return to the classroom in early September, I decided to create a small science corner with a display of seeds and seed pods, along with containers of fall blooming flowers. The idea was to generate conversation and begin the habits of careful observation and inquiry. The display also gave me a chance to get to know the students in the North Room as I listened and watched them interact with the natural materials, tools to assist in observation, and with each other. It turns out that small seed, planted in late August as we prepared the classroom for students has been watered and fed and is really starting to germinate.
First day in the field with science journals. |
In the classroom students use both the eye and hand to help them see. |
Our first visit to the Colman P-Patch led us to wonder about the Lake and Park School having a garden of our own. Like the City and Country School that inspired Camille to found Lake and Park, we all felt we could learn so much if we were able to add an outdoor “classroom” in the form of a garden we can tend throughout the seasons. The P-Patch has the space available and the students are enthusiastic as we begin to plan and to prepare the beds and paths, and to learn what it takes to make a garden grow. We hope our whole school community will want to be involved.
Stephanie gives primary grade lesson in plant life cycle |
Making plans at the garden. |
And so our curriculum grows, turning and winding as the children’s skills and understanding develop. The prospect of tending our own garden together now exists like a seed in the good soil our inquiry has created. We all share the anticipation and excitement of helping it thrive.
A garden is a natural focus for building community. With a common purpose, everyone contributes meaningfully. As we nurture the plants in our garden, and eventually provide our own snacks and food, we also support each other as creative thinkers and doers.
Please consider ways you might participate in the Lake and Park Garden at the Colman P-Patch. we welcome comments and suggestions.
Weeding and measuring. |
The P-Patch project has been a wonderful learning opportunity for my daughter! Her dad is a gardener and has helped with clearing the plots, so this has helped Sally feel like a contributor to the project. Also, she loves being outside and learning about how it is we can shepherd plants along and work with the earth to make it productive and beautiful. She has the long-term view of it, and it talking excitedly about what the garden will be like in the Spring. It is a perfect project for a child of her age because she is able to participate fully, work productively, help the younger kids with their work, and plan for the use of the patch. In the Spring, she will see the results of her hard work. Also, it has really been a bonding experience for her and her dad, the avid gardener. They have been talking about the P-Patch and sharing ideas about it. Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Eileen!
Rowan is loving the P-Patch! He particularly enjoys running along the paths with a wheelbarrow and is very proud of the three "man-sized" loads of wood chips he hauled the other day. He has memorized the combination to the storage shed and intends to surprise Eileen by unlocking it next time you're there. He wrote it down carefully and spent a while chanting the combination to himself, and learned a mnemonic device to help him remember it. Rowan showed me Speedy's grave - I think it's important and comforting for the children to know where she is buried. It adds a special and personal element to the P-Patch.
ReplyDeleteWe have dropped off more hay and burlap for sheet mulching. We look forward to seeing how the soil is improved over the winter and to what emerges in the spring!