Kindergarten

Collingwood's goal for implementing garden beds at our school is to provide students and teachers with the opportunity to take learning outside. We feel that having gardens at Collingwood School will give children engaging, hands on experience to plant and experiment outdoors. Nature inspires a sense of wonder and curiosity among children. Through our gardening project at Collingwood School children will develop an appreciation for their environment and a lifelong love of the world around them.

Our first goal is to have the school garden built and growing by February 2014. By the fall of 2014 we hope to be able to expand our gardens to more raised beds and fruit trees. By creating an outdoor learning center, we will incorporate more hands-on learning experiences in the garden. In addition, the plants grown from seedlings will enable us to host a Garden to Table event in the spring and fall.

A school garden is a natural extension of the classroom experience that will enrich all subject areas. It is a positive learning environment where children will have the opportunity to nurture and care for seedlings and plants. A garden teaches cooperation, patience, responsibility, and increases self-esteem while connecting students with natural surroundings. A school garden promotes the development of the whole child by encouraging a child-centered learning atmosphere.

Our gardens mission statement is: To cultivate student curiosity and exploration, provide opportunities for hands on learning in school curriculum subjects while improving the health and well-being of students, families, and the larger community. A school garden enables the children to care for other living things and learn about the importance of taking care of our environment.