Morehead Elementary Builds its Outdoor Learning Program!

March 28^th, a Thursday afternoon was a brisk blue sky day, perfect for Morehead Elementary’s special Outdoor Learning Site Dedication! It is named the S.O.I.L. (Star, their mascot, Outdoor, Instructional, Learning) Lab.

 

 The idea for the site developed out of brainstorming sessions with Laura Tew, Master Gardener and Morehead Elementary teachers and staff. Many staff members have been gardening with students at the school with Laura’s guidance over the past few years. They needed an outdoor space where students could carry out experiments and write about their observations.

Laura’s successful application to Lowe’s Toolbox for Education Grant provided the funding needed to build the learning centers’ tables and benches.

Deric Lam, the local Lowe’s manager who worked with Morehead to supply materials attended the dedication.

Faculty member Tom Bader of the Weaver Academy, whose students constructed the tables and benches, was also present for the dedication.

The entire student body attended the dedication, there was a lot of excitement in the air! Vicki Schrock, P.E teacher and service learning coordinator led the dedication. The support on the part of the whole school was evident. It is clear that this Outdoor Learning Space belongs to EVERYONE at the school!

Garden-Based Learning Workshop at GCM’s Edible Schoolyard Wows Teachers.

GC Coop Ext School Garden Network brought together a talented group of educators Thursday at the Edible Schoolyard, a perfect venue to learn about teaching in a garden setting.

In addition to providing concurrent sessions in Basic and Established gardening techniques, garden-based lesson plans aligned with the core curriculum was presented in break-out sessions for preK-2, 3-5, and 6-8 grade teachers.

Gardening educators from Running Pine Herb Farm, The Giving Seed, Chef’s Move to Schools, FoodCorps, Greensboro Day School, And Gso Montessori, NC State Extension, Edible Schoolyard Staff, and GC Coop Ext School Garden Network all shared school garden-based information with attending teachers and volunteers.

Some of the 40 attending might argue that the highlight of the evening was the delicious fruit and veggie based dinner donated by Whole Foods Market Friendly Ave. Whole Foods Market also sponsored a drawing for a rain barrel, seeds, and gift cards.

Whole Foods Market at Friendly will host a Grill-out fundraiser for the GC Coop Extension School Garden Network April 12^th noon-5pm. Cynthia Nielsen, the SGN Coordinator for Guilford County says “School gardens are huge in Guilford County. In 2010 we had 15 schools with gardens. Today we are up to 50. Our job is to help school staff use them as outdoor learning centers and make them sustainable”.

Jones Elementary has got it Growing on!

Jen Schell, head of the Jones Elementary's gardening commitee updates us about their Spring 2013 gardening activities and plans:

As of today, we finally have our beds prepped and will be planting next week.  We had over twenty volunteers show up to help this morning.

This year we are going to focus on service and all veggies grown will be given to families in need of fresh produce. We are coordinating this with our guidance counselor.

This year teachers who are participating in the garden have drafted parent volunteers from their classrooms to help plant and harvest their veggies.  We have a parent/grandparent volunteer lined up to help with every classroom this year.  

We will continue with our group of kids or the Garden Team which will meet weekly to learn about our garden and assist in the maintenance and other special projects our garden requires.  This project is also coordinated with our guidance counselor.  

We will also be starting sweet potato slips in 7 classrooms in March.

We will also have support this summer from the full time staff and students to have a summer garden too.  We will let you know as this develops further.