Contact: Chris Carrier
Phone: 831-796-7300
E-mail: chriscarrier1146@comcast.net
County: Monterey

Our school garden is five years old. It has several purposes: (1) a reading garden with names of improving readers set in bricks, (2)a peace garden to name our school's peace builders, (3) character bricks to remind students of basic principles (e.g. I am responsible, I am loved, etc.), 4) a college garden to name our graduates who go to college. We also have a native plant garden and hope to start hydroponics soon. The garden area is in the center of our school and is not fenced. There are many neat places to sit and visit. Kids meet there before school and to share lunch. Classes are sometimes taught in the garden for a change. Our school gets its share of vandalism but not the garden (keep fingers crossed). It keeps us gentle.

Number of Kids Involved: 15
Square Feet of Gardens: 1500

Grades Involved:

• 5 - 8

We are interested in being E-Mail Pals and would like to exchange:
Not sure. Just about anything is possible. All my students are full-day special education students. Maybe starting with pen pals. I'd like to hear about projects others have going -- we want to keep growing.

How our project is helping kids grow:
Firstly, we wanted to create an outdoor area something like a library -- rowdy folks stay away. We wanted a plaza atmosphere as most of our children have experienced this in Mexico. The garden has changed the atmosphere in the entire school -- we are very civil for a middle school. My curriculum allows for practical math and science to happen in the garden. The space is perfect for literary adventures and team building activities. Garden clubs come and go due to the children's family commitments after school. My students enjoy the seasonal activities such as planting and harvesting, but lose concentration in daily maintaining. The spring celebration for the new names going into the garden brings in families and food. This is such a powerful incentive that it guides students throughout the year.

Gardening Contexts/Emphases:

• Outdoor, Vegetables
• Outdoor, Flowers
• Trees
• Community Service
• Butterflies
• Special Needs
• Birds
• Garden Art
• Greenhouse
• Vermiculture (worms)
• Composting

Level of Student Participation (hours/week/child): 1-2

Number of Participating Teachers: 1-8

Number of Participating Parents / Volunteers: 1

Number of Parent / Volunteer Participation (hours/week/person): 1-2

Funding Sources:

• $ Donations
• Grants

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