In 2015 Whole Kids Foundation (the non-profit arm of Whole Foods) awarded the Marquez School garden program a $2,000 garden grant. We used that for gardening supplies and other items to build our garden program.
Last fall they contacted us and asked if they could profile us on their website.
One of the strengths of our program is how it links the gardens to social studies. In 2nd/3rd we plant and discuss salsa and then the children make salsa.. In 3rd/4th we plant and then eat from the Native American Three Sisters-corn, beans and squash. The children make succotash at the beginning of 4th grade. In 4th we plant and tend the Native American Garden featuring native plants that the Chumash and Tongva and other indigenous peoples use for food, medicine and other uses. The garden has been partly funded by the Pacific Palisades Garden Club and Gibson International Realty. In 5th the children plant heirloom seeds from Monticello that Thomas Jefferson planted in his garden. The children also eat from these gardens.
Planting, growing and eating are great ways for children (and adults) to learn and it's fun too !
The Whole Kids Foundation website has lots of good information. Check it out after you look at the post about Marquez!
https://www.wholekidsfoundation.org/about/school-success-stories-entries/marquez-charter-elementary-school
 |
| We used some grant money to buy grow light systems from Gardeners Supply where we start seeds. |
 |
| Salsa making has a writing component! |
 |
| Native Americans used and use California poppies for food and medicine |
 |
| Cleveland Sage is used for pain relief by the Chumash. |
 |
| Children enjoy making a colorful salsa |
 |
| 5th graders plant heirloom radish seeds |
 |
| 5th graders harvest the heirloom radish! |
No comments:
Post a Comment