For the last month and a half, Grade 4 students at École Olds Elementary School have been growing plants in a portable greenhouse lent to the school by Fortis Alberta.
“Students have grown miniature gardens that include lettuce, radishes, crocuses, garlic and other plants that they can enjoy at home,” said Jane Atkins, Grade 4 French Immersion teacher.
“Part of the Grade 4 program is plants.”
This way, students learned about the structure of the plants and how they grow.
“We thought that it would be a good time for us to do this because it is really nice when all the kids can actually do the experiment on the plants themselves. They understand it a lot better hands on,” said Atkins.
At the end of the program, students had the opportunity to bring their plants home and transplant them into larger containers.
“When the plants get big enough, the students will actually be able to make a salad for their family,” said Atkins.
Green thumb
Grade 4 student April Nichol learned that growing plants is good for the environment.
“Well, plants give you fresh air. They can also give you many other needs, like fruit and vegetables,” she said.
“We also learned that you could make new plants out of just a bit of plant, except they are not going to produce carrots anymore. They will just make big plants.”
While Nichol usually lets her mother take care of the family garden and plants, the project might have changed her opinion.
“I think I am going to plant them into the garden myself. I will take care of them,” she said.
