What’s Growing at St. Philip’s Academy 2009/10…Check out what our students are growing this season.

Kindergarten

An area of study of this year’s kindergarteners is the study of the senses. The classes are planting their garden plots with plants that demonstrate the five senses. The following are examples of the types of plants represented in their garden plots

Sound: ornamental grasses, false indigo and gourds

Touch: lambs ears, succulents and deer’s tongue

Taste: Strawberries, herbs and a tea garden

Smell: lavender, pineapple mint and lemon balm

1st Grade

The first graders’ plots are growing broccoli, lettuce, peas, garlic and spinach. These vegetables were chosen in order to create healthy meals at harvest time. Learning about plant life cycles while they discover the similarities and differences of their plants are one component of the first grade science units, which include: Land and Water, Keeping Fit and Health, Kids of Living Things.

2nd Grade

As part of the math curriculum, the 2nd grade will be planting a theme “salsa garden”. In this garden the ingredients of fresh salsa will be growing. Included are tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic and cilantro. Using the garden plot as a way to demonstrate counting, measuring and other 2nd grade mathematic goals, this garden will be both educational and delicious.

3rd Grade

The third grade classes will be utilizing the gardens as part of their lessons pertaining to the study of the Native Americans. Using the “Three Sisters” model of planting, the garden will be planted with squash (cork neck, summer squash, spaghetti squash and gourds), sweet corn, and assorted beans (yellow waxed and green string)

4th Grade

The 4th grade butterfly garden includes coneflowers, lavender, hollyhocks, false indigo, milkweed and butterfly bush. As a demonstration of life cycles as well as migration, this garden attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

5th Grade

As part of their studies in wellness and nutrition, the fifth graders are growing vegetables for their lessons of healthy eating and nutrition. The making of healthy snacks will be the goals when they harvest a wonderful assortment of carrots (purple dragon, rainbow hybrid, Thumbelina), cucumbers, and radishes in addition to herbs.

6th-8th Grades

Assorted vegetables such as squash, eggplant, cucumbers, carrots, cabbage, broccoli, beets and beans as well a medicinal herb garden can be seen in the garden plots of the middle school grades 6-8. Students approach garden curriculum through their science periods, but middle school teachers in all subjects will utilize the rooftop garden plots in teaching subjects ranging from history to math.