This is where we will give you information about what is going on with the Kids Get Growing project, a programme that has created a great deal of excitement with our families. We will also give your families a chance to show off the progress in your own gardens by sending us your photos and stories and giving us permission to post them on the blog!
First of all, let's talk about the Strawberry Socials held at each school at the end of June. This is where the children signed the Kids Get Growing Pledge stating that they would plant something to take care of over the summer months to bring to the Harvest Festival in the fall. They also each took home a strawberry plant. For help and tips on taking the best of care of your strawberry plant, please check the links on the left under "Helpful Gardening Links".
First of all, let's talk about the Strawberry Socials held at each school at the end of June. This is where the children signed the Kids Get Growing Pledge stating that they would plant something to take care of over the summer months to bring to the Harvest Festival in the fall. They also each took home a strawberry plant. For help and tips on taking the best of care of your strawberry plant, please check the links on the left under "Helpful Gardening Links".
Strawberry Social Sign and children at St. Cyril School choosing their strawberry plants.
Through the months of May and June, we did a Three Sisters workshop at the schools where the children learned about a crop that is native to North and South America that has been planted for centuries by indigenous peoples. They learned about plant growth, why certain plants are beneficial to grow together, common pests and how to get rid of them, and different uses for the crops. At the Strawberry Socials, the children had the choice to take a three sisters garden home with them. There are links on the left hand side of the page for more information about the Three Sisters.
Over the summer, a lot of the children are growing plants for the Kids Get Growing project in preparation for the Fall Harvest Festival. We've just found out that this year, the Festival will take place in late September at the Toronto Botanical Gardens!
We would love it if you would send us updates of your gardening adventures with photos or drawings of your plants or stories about fun things that you've done in your garden this summer. We will also be following the progress of Irene's garden with photos and descriptions - look for that in our next post!
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11 comments:
Teaching children about their environment, by encouraging learning activities that stimulate their interest in growing natural foods and herbs - is just one way we are ensuring that the next generation is prepared to deal with the state of their planet. Everyone wins.
Zara, Visual Artist and DiscoverAbility Art Educator
This is a very creative endeavor that will definitely show promising rewards and better health!!!!!!
Nancy, Toronto ON
For anyone interested in making their own bath salts with freshly grown lavender, here is a great recipe I thought would be nice to share.
Fragrant Bath Salts
3 cups of Epsom salts
2 cups of baking soda
1 cup of sea salt
2 cups of dried lavender
Mix Epsom salts, baking soda, and sea salt. Add lavender and mix all together. Let it sit for about two days outside in warm weather.
Linda, Mississauga ON
What a great idea!!!!
Children's programs should be encouraged to learn about the natural world in schools everywhere. I wish you all support and love.
Care for the gardens in your backyard and in your hearts!!
By accident I found this site, and I think that this is amazing what you all are doing.
Truly inspired!!! I even started my own window sill garden in my apartment after I read this. If children can do it, anyone can.
Great stuff.
George, Hamilton ON
Kids get Growing - and the world will become our garden of paradise...beautiful!!
I learned that growing plants is alot of fun especially getting dirty. I am 6 yrs old
I learned that you can plant a plant in any container. We did it in shoes, fishbowls and even in a dresser drawer.
I also learned that when we planted the Three Sisters in an old bushel barrel - the corn grows straight up and provides shade for the bean and pumpkin. The bean wraps around the corn and the pumpkin stays at the bottom.
Lexi, 11 years old
I reasearched learned that the hydrangea flower comes from Australia. We also went for a neighborhood walk and took pictures of flowers. I learned that it is better to frame the flowers using the "rule of thirds" so that it's more fun to look at!!!
Celine, 10 years old
We went to Bronte Creek and walked through the forest. I noticed that there are a lot of snails and frogs on the ground.
I also learned that when you are planting a plant or flower you have to be very gentle with the roots. And if it's a baby plant you can only pick it up by it's leaves, because if you are not careful you will harm the plant.
Carlos, 10 years old
Check out:
www.torontobalconiesbloom.ca/inspiration.html
Happy Growing!!
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