Watch us grow - First graders explore gardening

SEELEY LAKE - Some of the youngest students at Seeley Lake Elementary have been some of the most successful gardeners. For the past four years Seeley Lake kindergartners have planted vegetables in planters in the courtyard of the school, then harvested them as first graders.

The first year they actually started as pre-kindergartners, working with teacher Sheila Devins moving rock and soil from outside into courtyard planters that maintenance man John Devins built. Then they planted carrots that they harvested the following fall when they started kindergarten. As kindergartners they were ecstatic to see the transformation and growth that happened over the summer to the tiny seeds they planted the previous spring.

As kindergartners the same students worked with Devins to plant squash which they harvested the following fall as first graders. A cycle was started! Again in the spring a new group of kindergartners poked carrots seeds into the soil, then harvested their carrots as first graders.

Last May kindergartners transplanted tomato plants into the courtyard planters. As first graders they were amazed by the tall, forest of green and red that had blossomed in their absence. These students worked with Devins to harvest more than 100 tomatoes, with plenty enough for school cook Suzie Ferdinand to kindly wash, slice and serve them as part of lunch.

Once again at Seeley Lake Elementary, students aren't just studying some vague idea about seeds, plants and food, they are having real life experiences. Watch as these students continue to grow as gardeners and learners.

 

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