Alta Vista Specials Sprouts

At Alta VIsta we hope to infuse improved healthy food awareness along with the impact this has on their lives. The Students will research, design, implement, maintain, and harvest the garden. This will provide hands-on learning that will involve interdisciplinary education. The garden will provide a source of self-esteem and self-worth while building cooperation skills. The garden will build social skills, addresses multiple learning styles and will promote good nutrition that will last a lifetime. As the garden grows, our students will grow an appreciation for relationships, community, and environment. The gardening experience teaches patience and responsibility for living things.

As a community school situated in the heart of Sarasota, 74% of the students come from minority families (27% African American, 37% Hispanic, .006% Asian and 10% Multi-ethnic) and 89% of the students are enrolled in the free-and-reduced price lunch program. Most of the students come from low-income families where parental involvement is minimal and secondary to meeting the basic needs of the family. The universal language of gardening will touch our students, families, and community.

Gardens provide a site for hands-on learning and to practice using the scientific method and environmental and earth science. The reading skills will improve as students predict outcomes, compare/contrast, apply cause and effect, and understand written directions, increase vocabulary, and comprehension. The following math skills will improve student achievement gains: geometry, measurement, and basic algebra skills. Nutrition education through school gardens increases children’s knowledge about fruits and vegetables and where they come from which may improve their attitudes towards these foods and fitness which will lead to overall healthier lifestyles.