Farias Garden

Due to our hot Houston weather we started visiting the garden only in the mornings or on cloudy days.  The students notice that some beds had more weeds than others and brainstorm as to why this was happening.  Some students concluded it rain more on them, others stated the sun hit them more.  They are only four years old so I thought there responses were pretty good.  This opened a teaching moment to inform them about mulch and how it slows the growth of seeds or weeds due to lack of oxygen the plant receives, in addition, it blocks new seeds from getting in.  Our garden has thought tour students so much and they have taken intrest in all they have learned.  I feel that our garden has made them life-long learners and that is so exciting!

Several of our teachers are taking advantage of  the beautify garden and benches we have outside for teaching outside. Some of the centers include drawing pictures of flowers and insects on the sidewalk using water and paintbrushes and then watching it evaporate instantly under the sun, they are also drawing pictures using butcher paper and real paint and hanging them outside the garden fence to dry, catching flying animals around the garden and determining if they are insects by counting their legs, digging for worms and measuring them.

Every day the students look forward to going outside and spending time around the garden. In addition, they are always looking for the different stages of butterfly growth on our milkweed plants. They have learned so much through hands on experiences and real life situations.  Most of them know the parts of a plant, the butterfly stages of methamorphosis, what is an insect, what is a weed and why are they bad for plants, what are the needs of a plant, garden took names, what is an ecosystem and much more.

Our garden will be a place of exploration and hands on learning.  It will also be a focal point in our back door entrance, where students are received and greeted every morning.  With our grant fund we are going to buy our three benches, which will overlook the beautiful garden.   The benches will be utilized by students, teachers, parents and even a rest place for visitors.  We plan to buy benches made of Amazon Teak, which is the most durable outdoor wood in the world.  We are also going to purchase herbs and rectangular pots.   The herbs will consist of basil, dill, oregano, and mint, which will be used by the community. The classes will alternate the responsibility of watering the pots. 

Due to the planting season, the student will plant watermelon plants, which will harvest in the summer.  Each class will plant several seeds in small biodegradable pots and then once it sprouts big enough, they will replant them in the garden.  The classes will take turns removing all the weeds and doing hands on learning.  They will also incorporate many objectives in their observations.  The students will get to experience the growth stages of a fruit and eat the final product.   Once the students harvest the watermelon they will assist in clearing out the beds for corn planting.  The corn will harvest at the beginning of the fall.  The planting will continue with whatever is in season for planting. 

We will also add perennial flowering plants to our empty beds.  Students and parents will partake in the planting.  Classroom students and parents will take turns cleaning the flower beds.  We are going to add our planting event to a very special celebration.  During the week of April 22-27 we are going to celebrate Week of the Young Child and everyone will partake by planting plants that week. 

In the garden we are also going to plant a Japanese Red Maple tree.  This small tree will provide our teachers and students a shady area when learning is taking place outside.  In addition, with its red bright leaves, it will be a beautiful addition in our garden.