The weather was perfect on June 21st, warm, light breeze and lots of bright sunshine perfect for harvesting a garden with the community. Imagine a student planting a seed in a garden, and just days later seeing a tiny leaf pushing up through the soil. This is what is happening at Linden School No. 4. Students are tending to new plants this Spring and this in return teaches children responsibility and teamwork. This garden is providing an opportunity to bring science, math, social studies, and language arts to life through hands-on gardening.
Linden School No. 4 was awarded a New Jersey Agricultural Society Learning Through Gardening grant. The agricultural society was very impressed with School No. 4 plans for a school garden and their enthusiasm for integrating agriculture into their curriculum. Integrating the garden and garden activities into the classroom lessons will not only enable the teacher of School No. 4 and the students to use the garden more, but may also enhance students’ learning.The garden is the first place that students want to go when they get to school. Their participation in the garden instills a sense of ownership, pride, and responsibility. On June 21st the students of School No. 4 invited a few of the community members to come and enjoy a “Friendship” salad. The students saw that had an abundant amount of lettuce of all varieties growing and wanted to share their knowledge. The Mayor of Linden Derek Armstead and Linden Fire Chief Joseph Dooley came to help pick lettuce with the students and enjoy a “Friendship” salad. The students enjoyed learning from the community members and they enjoyed learning from the students of School No. 4.
Gardening brings learning alive.
Pictures by Linden Public Schools.
(above) Fire Chief Dooley picks lettuce as Daryl Agyei holds the bowl. Daryl was watching with a cautious eye and reminds the Chief to be gentle and snap off each mature leaf, leaving behind those that aren’t ready so they can grow bigger for another day. His classmate Gabriella DeCampos explains to Mayor Armstead that it is important to have a garden because we can keep growing up healthy, and learn where the food comes from. She described how they planted the garden from seedlings, and they watered it. It took a lot of work.
(above) Students Jocelyn Nova, Linden Fire Chief Joseph Dooley, and Kyle Gutierrez make a salad together. Jocelyn said “We invited the firefighters to eat a healthy salad with us because they in the beginning of the year they were strangers and they are now our friends. “Kyle told the Chief that firefighters are important because they help, even if they are at recess and they have a disagreement they will still save your life. That is being a good citizen and good character.
(above) Ahja Jackson, Steven Cornejo enjoyed learning about making healthy choices and eating as friends. They were impressed that they are eating what they grew in the garden.
(above) Linden Mayor Derek Armstead, Linden Fire Chief Josheph Dooley, Nicholas Herrera, Aylin Acosta, and Aamira Williams eat their “Friendship Salad” together and discuss the importance of healthy eating habits.
