With the snow on the way the Garden Committee decided we needed a little green. In January, we will start growing stations in the halls with a variety of vegetables. Basil, lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, red peppers and jalapeno peppers will be in the first planting. Classes can take taste samples, take measurements, and learn to care for our winter plants.
Discovery Academy has our first weather station! Students will be able to collect data and learn about multiple weather gauges and monitoring devices. Thanks to Jon Hand and the garden committee for making this happen. We will keep you posted on our progress.
PreK students practiced mindfulness yesterday as they explored our bioswale (rain garden). The area around Discovery Academy’s flag pole is called a bioswale and it is chock full of beautiful natural plants and helps manage the rain water that flows off our driveway.
The PreK students sat quietly and focused on the plants they would take as sample specimens.
They then turned to the other side of the bioswale to get a different perspective.
The students took their specimens back to their classroom to draw representations.
Along with science and vocabulary the lesson integrated listening skills, concentration, taking turns, and drawing.
Our preschoolers spent time exploring pumpkins. How they grow, what they weigh, their texture and the surprises inside.
Last year’s pumpkin was watched through the decomposition phase and was thrown out on the classroom garden. When the summer came the seeds germinated and grew the pumpkins that we are using this year. Isn’t the growing cycle amazing?
5th graders went to the roof to explore the produce. One student remarked, “My mom doesn’t usually have time to go shopping- can I bring her home a pepper?”
This week PreK students learned about science through harvesting our sunflowers. They used their senses to explore the flowers and seeds. This week they will continue to integrate the sunflowers in their daily lessons.
Miss Marticci’s 2nd graders went to the rooftop garden today to identify solids, liquids and gasses. They recorded their discoveries in their STEM notebooks and were able to use all their senses. I wonder: Is the aroma (smell) of the basil and onions they sampled a solid, liquid or gas?
A team of first graders surveyed the rooftop garden to plan out their PBIS safety video. We are in the works of planning our grand opening on Earth Day, April 22nd. Contact Mrs. Neseralla if you can help with the festivities.