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Only $325.00 Needed

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Goal

I am an AGP teacher who incorporates standard HE.5.B.4.1 into my lesson plan which states “Illustrate techniques of effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills to enhance health”. I use our outdoor garden as a sensory outlet where my students can see, smell, touch or simply hear our lessons in a calm outdoor environment. Some of my students are on the spectrum and the school noises can lead to anxiety and stress so bringing a lesson outdoors can help them refocus on the lesson and stay present. A well designed outside area can serve as a bridge between mind, body and spirit.
I also include the garden to encourage attendance. My students arrive early to school to water the plants, pull weeds, look at the wildlife and enjoy a calm moment before school starts. It is not just a club, it is a community.
We have some students who have attendance issues and with Covid-19 this will continue to be an issue for all students.
Encouraging early attendance and the ability to take a lesson outside is the goal of this grant.
 

What will be done with my students

There is no day more exciting for a student than a field trip day. A field trip does not have to extend outside of the school property and can be to an outside area filled with excitement. Just close your eyes and listen to the crunch of the rocks as students excitedly walk through the garden or the rustle of leaves on a nearby tree. Smell the earth after a rain and a sunflower blooming in the flower bed. Touch a flower bud, waiting to open up and welcome the bees and butterflies. Run your hands through the dirt to pull out a weed and tend to your garden. Our outside area is a veritable treasure chest of lessons to be learned and adventures to be taken.

My students have access to a school garden that they have taken ownership over and pride in. They create and 3D print garden stakes to identify plants in the garden. They have nurtured and grown both crops and flowers, taking home fresh vegetables and learned lessons that books can not provide. They have collaborated and learned that they can be in control of their environment and feelings. As a result we have a pleasant area where we can take our lessons outdoors. 

Benefits to my students

This grant addresses some of the need to make the outside area usable as an outdoor classroom including paths we will make with marble chip rocks. We need shade from the Florida hot sun and have included a shade sail. We need , tools and gadgets to make the most of our outside time, including soil PH meter, bug view magnifier and binoculars.

Our sweet students love to improve our area and are ready and able to come in prior to school to make the area the best it can be. If I can get the students to school, then I can teach them.  

Budget Narrative

Herbs
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bonnie-Plants-19-3-oz-Sweet-Mint-Plant-5104/308819284
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bonnie-Plants-19-3-oz-Italian-Oregano-Plant-2-Pack-2P5081/311914209
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bonnie-Plants-19-3-oz-Lemon-Balm-Plant-2-Pack-2P5070/311914223

PH Meter
https://store.schoolspecialty.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?minisite=10206&item=39239

Gardening tools
https://store.schoolspecialty.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?minisite=10206&item=12459

Bugview Magnifier
https://store.schoolspecialty.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?minisite=10206&item=6492199

Binoculars
https://store.schoolspecialty.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?minisite=10206&item=10908192&category1=Science&category2=Lab+Supplies+-+Furniture

Marble Chips
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vigoro-0-5-cu-ft-Marble-Chips-54141/100583677

Shade Sail
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Coolaroo-Coolhaven-18-ft-x-18-ft-Heritage-Green-Triangle-Shade-Sail-with-Kit-473990/205415824?
 

Items