Tag: gardening with kids in Alaska

Sprouting Hearts: Instilling a love for gardening in foster kids in Wasilla Alaska

sldziatkiewicz

Twenty years ago I would have laughed at you if you said I’d be that lady standing in the middle of a garden with my sun hat, bending over and pulling weeds. Twenty years ago I was in high school, living in my 5th foster home, doing very well. I was in a stable environment, surrounded by an amazing network of people for the first time in a long time. Gardening wasn’t something I was familiar with–I had farming experience (bottle feeding calves and changing pipe) but nothing to really Read More …

Hands Up for More Veggies

smbowman2

FOOD FOR THOUGHT         As I look back I smile at the memory and the expression of enjoyment  on the faces of the young students and their raised hands as I asked if they wished for  more. They wanted more vegetables, more dishes created with vegetables and to grow more vegetables. I am a teachers aide at our local K-12 rural school, a parent of three and an active volunteer in our community. A few years  ago I was hired as a community food coordinator. Our school Read More …

Gardening in the Classroom

emprado

LEARNING FROM THE GROUND UP Some of the best gardeners are children. They bring a curiosity and excitement unmatched by the grown garden enthusiast. Most schools have started gardening and composting programs allowing students hands on experience. I work for an after school program called Rally in Juneau, Alaska. One of Rally’s sites is at Harborview elementary and lucky for us they have gardening beds and a composting site on the school grounds. Rally has incorporated the gardens in its summer program to help keep them maintained when school is Read More …

Painting with Plants

kmikulla

That’s right! You can make a painting using the plants grown in your garden or found locally where you live. There are several different ways in which to make the paints, however I tend to focus on watercolors because they are quick and simple with beautiful, subtle results. If you’ve dyed fabric or yarn using natural dyes before the process is similar, but since you don’t need as much dye for painting, the process is done on a smaller scale with minimal equipment. I love doing it on my own, Read More …

How are Seeds Dispersed in Alaska?

Heidi Rader

A Lesson Plant for Gardening in the Classrooms of Alaska, By Mylinda A. Klein, an Alaskan Master Gardener  Snap Beans. Photo by Heidi Rader.   Subject Area: Science Grade Level: 2nd grade Ideal season for lesson: Fall Materials Required: Various seeds either collected by teacher or by students including an acorn and seeds that have a spine, hooks or a gooey coating. Chipmunk stuffed animal “Seeds: Pop-Stick-Glide’ by Patricia Lauber  Chatty Chipmunk’s Nutty Day bySuzanne Gruber   Goals and Outcomes Students will be able to identify at least three methods Read More …

Edible Flowers in Alaska

Heidi Rader

A Lesson Plan for Gardening in Classroom in Alaska, By Amber Reece, An Alaskan Master Gardener Subject Area: Art and Writing Grade Level: Grade 3 Ideal Season For Lesson: Fall Nasturtiums are a spicy, edible flower. Photo by Heidi Rader. Time to Complete Lesson: 90 minutes, divided into three activities Materials Required: Chart paper or other media for recording class discussions Hand drawn flowering squash poster Prepared observation recoding forms (1 per student) Assorted edible flowers such as nasturtiums, pansies, squash flowers, lilies, broccoli, cauliflower Drawing paper and drawing supplies Writing Read More …

“Handy” Parts of a Plant

Heidi Rader

A Lesson Plan for Gardening in Classrooms in Alaska, by Cheryl Illg, an Alaskan Master Gardener   Subject Area: Writing/Reading/Science Appropriate Grade Level: Grade 2 Ideal season for lesson: Spring Time to complete lesson: 2-3 hours, in four activities that can be divided over several days, if desired. An Asiatic Lily. Photo by Heidi Rader. Materials Required:  From Seed to Plant (Rookie Read About Science) by Allan Fowler From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle Construction paper scissors pencils yarn glue lily or other Read More …

What Do Plants Need to Grow?

Heidi Rader

A Lesson Plan for Gardening in the Classroom in Alaska, by Cheryl Illg, An Alaska Master Gardener Subject Area: Writing/Reading/Math Grade Level: K-3 Ideal season for lesson: Spring Time needed to facilitate lesson: 1 hour to plant seeds and make first observation. Then there will be several weeks of observation, measurements and documentation. The young surviving plants may then be transplanted outdoors into a garden or planter box to grow for the summer once there is no more chance of frost. Usually June 1st in the south and central parts Read More …

Good vs. Bad Bugs in the Alaskan Garden

Heidi Rader

A Lesson Plan for Gardening in the Classroom in Alaska, By Shawna Sastamoinen, an Alaskan Master Gardener Subject Area: Science  Grade Level: 3rd  Ideal Season: Fall or Late Spring  Time to complete lesson: About 3 to 4 hours. Additional time will be needed to complete the Curricular Connections/Extension Activities.  Suggested Materials: Specific materials from the Cooperative Extension website are suggested for use in each section where they apply. See bibliography for more pictures and ideas.  Goal and Outcomes: After completing this lesson, students should be able to identify good and Read More …