Each spring, 3rd graders are in charge of planting the garden at Spring Garden Waldorf School (SGWS). This year’s class planted a beautiful plot of beans, squash, radishes, tomatoes, peas, peppers, carrots, kale, and sunflowers.
Throughout the spring and summer, students of all ages and their families help out in the garden and learn math, science, respect for the environment, and agricultural sustainability.
When last year’s master gardeners return as fourth graders in the fall, they will harvest their produce. These students then spend a day in the kitchen, cooking a feast from their crop. The 4th graders share this meal with the new class of 3rd graders, passing down seeds of knowledge (and literal seeds) to help the next generation of gardeners succeed. This wonderful tradition allows third graders to see the results of hard work in the garden before planting their own.
Excess produce gathered by the 4th graders has been incorporated into the hot lunch program at SGWS, and students of all ages get to enjoy the yummy rewards of growing a garden.
