Montessori School of Florence

Our basic goal is to teach standards in an outdoor classroom with garden materials - with the ultimate goal of nurturing each child's appreciation of the natural world by involving them in the processes of gardening. With a garden we can study plant life cycles; we can also measure plant growth rate, calculate soil volume, read garden myths, and create healthy foods / snacks. We know that gardening at school can reduce ADHD symptoms and obesity, improve fine and gross motor skills, and increase creativity, imagination, and social skills. We have a committee (and director's approval) to create an outside classroom with gardens. Our goals are threefold: to increase healthy food choices and nutritional knowledge; to increase students’ general knowledge-SC ranks low on statewide tests yet research shows school gardening increases science/math scores. Last, we hope to offer community service, donating extra produce. The grant will allow us to add 6 raised bed gardens to outdoor classroom.