Asia Pacific International School
Hawaii
Creating a Garden
Authors: Madison Enos, Christine Kuhl, Grace Martinelli, Victoria Vierstra
Grade: K, 1, 2, 3, 4
Subjects: Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, Writing
Timeline: 10 Weeks
Essential Question
How can we design a school garden that is beautiful, peaceful, and full of learning?
Guiding Questions:
What are the steps in building a garden? What systems are a part of a garden? How do we help our garden grow?
Project Description
Our agriculture specialist, Ms. Grace Martinelli, asked the elementary students to help her transform an undeveloped garden area into an exceptional school garden that is both inviting and full of learning! In this project, students were landscape designers, authors, builders, mathematicians, scientists, artists, and gardeners. Their work culminated with the grand opening of our school garden on exhibition night on December 13, 2017.
Skills in Focus:
Gardening: Sow seeds, propagate, transport plants, till soil, use gardening tools, care for plants, determine plant pairings and placement
Social Emotional: Collaborate, problem solve, public speaking
Art: Paint signage, create garden border, design stepping stones, build seating, repurpose materials from nature
Math: Measurement [*area, perimeter], scaled design, *fractions, data collection, elapsed time, estimation, *unit conversions
Reading & Writing: Interpret and produce elements of an informative text, research, reflection writing
Science: Systems-Water Cycle, Photosynthesis, Pollination, Weather, Plant Structures, Plant Reproduction
*Upper ES Focus
Project Extensions and Real World Connections
Project Launch at Waimea Valley
Sunset View Elementary Garden
Tour Kahuku Farms
Interview with Cindy Jensen-Elliot, author of: Dig In Weeds Find a Way
Antsy Ansel: Ansel Adams, a Life in Nature
Polynesian Culture Center
BYU Indigenous Hawaiian Farm
Aloun Farms
Teacher Reflection
"Seeing the students create a happy garden has been so rewarding. As the they have learned how soil, water, sunlight, and fellow living things provide us with our needs, their gratitude towards their surroundings has blossomed."