Garden
Our vibrant garden offers all students a hands-on, engaging way to connect with nature, learn where their food comes from, and reinforce academic skills right here on campus. Our garden is a living laboratory rooted directly in the California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS) and other key state educational frameworks.
The Garden as an Outdoor Classroom
In the garden, students become scientists, mathematicians, communicators, and environmental stewards. We use the garden to teach core concepts across multiple subjects, providing real-world context for classroom learning.
Science & Environmental Literacy
The garden brings key science concepts to life through direct, hands-on experience:
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Kindergarten: Students observe and describe the needs of plants and animals and how different environments provide what they need. They also see sunlight warming the Earth and how it's essential for plant growth.
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Grade 1: We investigate plant structures (roots, stems, leaves) and their functions. Students observe patterns in the natural world, such as how the amount of daylight changes throughout the seasons.
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Grade 2: Students explore how plants depend on seed dispersal and pollination and how different organisms create habitats. They also study soil composition.
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Grade 3: We study the life cycles and anatomy of flowering plants and observe how environmental factors (e.g., water and sun) affect the traits of organisms. Students also learn how plants combat soil erosion. Native plants and their historical uses are introduced.
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Grade 4: Students study ecosystems and food webs, recognizing plants as the primary source of matter and energy. Students learn about the survival functions of plants' structures, including photosynthesis, fluid transport, and chemical energy movement. We explore weathering, erosion, and sustainable practices like composting.
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Grade 5: Classifying, graphing, data tabling are introduced as a way to understand ecosystems interactions. The scientific method is used to make predictions and form theories based on evidence gathered in hands-on experiments.
Health & Nutrition
We emphasize the connection between the garden and our well-being. Students learn:
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Where food comes from: Understanding that fruits and vegetables grow in the soil, not just on grocery store shelves.
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Healthy eating: Through taste tests and cooking activities, students are encouraged to try fresh, seasonal produce, promoting lifelong healthy habits.
