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My goal is to provide each of my students the opportunity to cultivate and properly care for their own plant. In addition to developing their sense of responsibility and engaging them in a new experience, I hope to encourage them to learn more about plant cycles and needs. Ultimately, I hope this experience encourages my students to embrace biophilia, which is a word that describes the bond between people and nature, plants included. This refers to the idea that nurturing another living being brings the nurturer a sense of well-being and purpose.

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You Get a Plant, You Get a Plant!

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School:
Oakridge Middle 
Subject:
Science 
Teacher:
April Jaycox- Varga  
Students Impacted:
150 
Grade:
6 
Date:
August 10, 2024

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

 

A Champion For Learning - $300.00

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Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 100

My students were so excited to take home their selected plants on the last day of school. In the end, it ended up being about 100 plants.  A week before the last day, I asked the students to reflect on the idea of taking a plant home and caring for it. We talked about the needs of the plants , like water, sun, the ideal temperature, care for plant during extended vacations. We also talked about the benefits of taking home a plant, like improved air quality, connecting to nature and the satisfaction of watching something grow. I think it was a great lesson in thinking ahead before making a decision. A few of the students asked if they could give to their mom and /grandparent who loved plants. I told them as long as they could watch the process of care that this would be fine. I could already see the sense of accomplishment and pride in the students who were taking a plant: they were taking the responsibilty to heart. A large group of kids even created created a text group to hold each other accountable and send growth pictures of their plants! i asked each students to check  back in at the beginning of the year so that I could more clearly see the outcomes and their experiences. 

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Original Grant Overview

Goal

My goal is to provide each of my students the opportunity to cultivate and properly care for their own plant. In addition to developing their sense of responsibility and engaging them in a new experience, I hope to encourage them to learn more about plant cycles and needs. Ultimately, I hope this experience encourages my students to embrace biophilia, which is a word that describes the bond between people and nature, plants included. This refers to the idea that nurturing another living being brings the nurturer a sense of well-being and purpose.

 

 

Category

Other -  

 

What will be done with my students

Each student will select a species of various plant choices after some initial background research. Students will then learn about the propagation process and a suitable environment as well as the needs of their chosen plant. They will choose the best location on campus for their given plant and continue to monitor and care for their plant throughout the year. Students will take their plant home at the end of the year.  

 

Benefits to my students

The vast majority of my incoming students have never engaged themselves in the care of plants. Owning and caring for their own plant will foster a new sense of responsibility and ownership for my students. It will also provide a wonderful opportunity for them to hone their research skills and learn a new craft. In addition, I hope to promote their problem-solving skills, as inevitably many will experience various issues with their plant growth. Numerous studies have also found that plants can enhance air quality and create a calming atmosphere, which can improve student focus and well-being.  

 

Budget Narrative

This money will be used between Amazon and Home Depot to purchase the individual pots, plants and potting soil.  

 

Items

# Item Cost
1 54 Pcs 4'' Plant Pots Bulk Flower Pots with Drainage Hole and Saucer Small Pots $36.00
2 54 Pcs 4'' Plant Pots Bulk Flower Pots with Drainage Hole and Saucer Small Pots $36.00
3 54 Pcs 4'' Plant Pots Bulk c Flower Pots with Drainage Hole and Saucer Small Pots $36.00
4 Ultimate Indoor Houseplant Collection - 45 Live Plants in 2 Inch Pots - Grower's Choice Based on Health, Beauty and Availability - Florist Quality Easy to Grow Air Purifying Indoor Plants $140.00
5 Miracle-Gro Potting Mix, For Container Plants, Flowers, Vegetables, Shrubs, Annuals, Perennials, Feeds up to 6 Months, 16 qt. $26.00
6 Miracle-Gro Potting Mix, For Container Plants, Flowers, Vegetables, Shrubs, Annuals, Perennials, Feeds up to 6 Months, 16 qt. $26.00
  Total: $300.00

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Suncoast Credit Union