Conn's Garden On the Go...Literally started as a PBL project when Mrs. Sams and Mrs. Hansen participated in WCPSS SummerStem program during the summer of 2016. The original idea behind the garden was to revamp Conn's butterfly garden into a pollinator way space and outdoor learning center; however, due to Conn's upcoming renovations (YEAH!!) it was decided to change up the project by making it a mobile pollinator way space, until post renovation when we can determine the best location for a permanent location.
UPDATE: May 2017- The 4th graders at Conn have planted a variety of plants in their pollinator way space. They have also designed and planted their container (pallet) garden that they are going to use to test out some of their hypothesis' about the garden's location near carpool. The Research and Marketing Team comprised of interested 4th graders worked diligently to turn their research papers into eMaze presentations sharing what they learned (check it out under the Garden Gallery) and to educate others. They also created a logo, that they took through the design process that the grade level then voted on. Due to school-wide interest on the project, the 4th graders have created posters inviting everyone to tour the pollinator way space as well as giving tours to classes and their individual book buddies with supervision. Students have also designated planting beds to interested grade levels and have established a watering and weeding schedule. Finally students have worked with a variety of school resources to set up a timeline of things they would like to accomplish this year (build hummingbird feeders, make concrete stepping stones, and decorate) as well as what they would like to see accomplished next year (vegetable garden, herb garden).
UPDATE: April 2017- The 4th graders (and teachers) at Conn have entered the "messy middle" of their project. They have determined the area and perimeter of the current, very overgrown butterfly garden. During the course of the "messy middle" the students broke out into groups of interest and they have identified plants that they want to keep in the garden, ones that have become invasive that they need to remove, and what they want to add based on the budget and design they have created and agreed upon.
UPDATE: March 2017- The 4th graders at Conn decided that in order for us to be as proactive as possible it would be in their best interest to revitalize the Conn's butterfly garden and turn it into the pollinator way space Mrs. Sams and Mrs. Hansen had originally thought of. They also decided to build a mobile pollinator garden they could experiment with in order to see how to continue to improve the pollinator way space and what the best location for the pollinator way space would be post renovation. Based on the research they did for their research papers students have used the information they learned and collaborated to create their mission and vision statements for the garden.
Thank you for joining us as we build Conn's Garden on The Go....Literally. Please continue to check on the page as we update our progress.
UPDATE: May 2017- The 4th graders at Conn have planted a variety of plants in their pollinator way space. They have also designed and planted their container (pallet) garden that they are going to use to test out some of their hypothesis' about the garden's location near carpool. The Research and Marketing Team comprised of interested 4th graders worked diligently to turn their research papers into eMaze presentations sharing what they learned (check it out under the Garden Gallery) and to educate others. They also created a logo, that they took through the design process that the grade level then voted on. Due to school-wide interest on the project, the 4th graders have created posters inviting everyone to tour the pollinator way space as well as giving tours to classes and their individual book buddies with supervision. Students have also designated planting beds to interested grade levels and have established a watering and weeding schedule. Finally students have worked with a variety of school resources to set up a timeline of things they would like to accomplish this year (build hummingbird feeders, make concrete stepping stones, and decorate) as well as what they would like to see accomplished next year (vegetable garden, herb garden).
UPDATE: April 2017- The 4th graders (and teachers) at Conn have entered the "messy middle" of their project. They have determined the area and perimeter of the current, very overgrown butterfly garden. During the course of the "messy middle" the students broke out into groups of interest and they have identified plants that they want to keep in the garden, ones that have become invasive that they need to remove, and what they want to add based on the budget and design they have created and agreed upon.
UPDATE: March 2017- The 4th graders at Conn decided that in order for us to be as proactive as possible it would be in their best interest to revitalize the Conn's butterfly garden and turn it into the pollinator way space Mrs. Sams and Mrs. Hansen had originally thought of. They also decided to build a mobile pollinator garden they could experiment with in order to see how to continue to improve the pollinator way space and what the best location for the pollinator way space would be post renovation. Based on the research they did for their research papers students have used the information they learned and collaborated to create their mission and vision statements for the garden.
Thank you for joining us as we build Conn's Garden on The Go....Literally. Please continue to check on the page as we update our progress.