Info for Teachers

Hello Haggerty Staff!

Happy almost-autumn! Despite some setbacks, the garden is looking great and has tons of potential for fun and easy outdoor learning experiences.

My name is Amy Baron and I'm glad to be sharing the Citysprouts Garden Coordinator position with Laurie Gaines this fall. Laurie will still be here!! I will help to redesign the garden and coordinate teacher use during the school day, on Mondays 9-2pm. I hope to meet all of you soon!

In this Garden Email:
1. Garden Update
2. Easy Ways to Get Outside
3. What's Growing Now?

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1. Garden Update
After much discussion and lots of input from the whole community, the Haggerty garden is undergoing a make-over to improve accessibility and growing space. Check the front bulletin board for the new design, updates, and work days to come…

2. Easy Ways to Get Outside
Take a field trip right in your own school! Use the space! Here's a list of easy activities you could do outdoors in the garden ANYTIME with your class:
Read books outside
Make leaf rubbings
Look for colors and shapes
Make pesto with garden basil
Observe: sketch plant and animal life
Count vegetables, plants, colors, bugs…
Measure plant height, bean length, bed area
Go on an insect hunt with magnifying lenses
Explore the senses: touch, taste, smell, listen!
Watch decomposition: bring compost to bins, mix it up, look at critters

3. What's Growing Now?
Get students to watch their food grow! Here is what's out there now: green beans, tomatoes, basil (enough for harvesting! Please respond to this email if you want to use some with your class), peppers, corns, squash, flowers…

Garden Basics

Teachers, please remember:
- Remind students of garden rules – walk only, pick only with permission, respect all living things!
- Check in with me or Laurie before harvesting large quantities or entire plants.
- Return garden materials back to shed and lock the door. SHED COMBO 18-0-22
- Water key for faucets are located in shed also. Please keep keyed OFF when not in use.
- Try to keep track of what you do in the garden with your students. We'll be surveying you later we need to record this to keep our grant funding!

Resources and Contact Info

Would you like help on a class garden outing? Want ideas for an activity or lesson? Need support materials for a project?

Contact Renee Portanova, Citysprouts Garden Coordinator at Haggerty: rportanova (at) citysprouts.org or 631.357.2735. Mondays and Wednesdays.

Looking for a specific activity or lesson idea? Check out the new Citysprouts website with teacher resources! www.citysprouts.org