Garden Schedule

Monday

9:30 - 10:00 Mrs. Gina (+ Ms. Amandas’s MWF)

11:30 – 12:00 Miss Ashleigh (+ Mrs. Crystal’s MWF)

Tuesday

9:30 - 10:00 Ms. Amanda (+Mrs. Gina’s T/Th)

11:30 – 12:00 Mrs. Crystal (+Miss. Ashleigh’s T/Th)

Wednesday

9:30 – 10:00 Miss Nikki (+ Two’s MWF)

11:30 – 12:00 Ms. Danelle & Mrs. Jeanie (+ Miss Ashlee’s MWF)

Thursday

9:30 – 10:00 Mrs. Kimmie & Ms. Kimmie (+ Miss Nikki’s T/Th)

11:30 – 12:00 Miss Ashlee (+ Ms. Danelle’s T/Th)

Snap Pea in a Baggy

Materials:
-sandwich baggy
-pea seeds
-potting soil
-spray bottles

Directions:
1) Pour a shovel full of soil into the baggy
2) Carefully nest the seed in the center
3) Lightly spray the soil and seed before sealing
4) Label with names, discuss plant parts, what will happen, tape in windows.

We start our garden by understanding how plants grow. Where does our food actually come
from? All food starts out as tiny seeds, then grows roots, then stems and leaves, and eventually
produces (flowers, fruit, or veggies). This is how God creates everything. We are born as babies,
then grow up with our family, then make friends, and someday have families of our own. Can
Miss Ashleigh make the seeds grow? Can Miss Ashleigh stop the seeds from growing? No, God
is in control of it all! Our seeds need soil, sunlight and water to grow. When they start to grow,
the children get to take home their baggy and start a garden of their own.

Verse:

Psalm 24:1 - The earth is the LORD's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it
Planting Week!

Gina – onions

Ashleigh – broccoli

Nikki – cauliflower

Crystal – leeks

Amanda – spinach

Danelle/Jeanie – lettuce/carrots

Kimmies – peas

Ashlee – radishes

Materials:

-seeds

-measuring tape

-bolt (make holes for seeds)

Directions:

Follow package instructions, involving the children as much as possible. Read fun facts
to your kids about your veggie and talk about how you can eat it or prepare it when it is full
grown. Discuss again how it will grow – seed, roots, stem, produce. This is another good
opportunity to talk about God’s creation of food for us, showing He provides for us. But it is also
an awesome opportunity to talk about fresh foods and encourage the children to eat healthy
rather than junk food.

Verse:

“The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”

Genesis 2:15
Stepping Stones

This lesson will be on-going with only two classes per week making stones due to the need for
each stone to dry.

Schedule: Ashleigh & Nikki Oct. 13-17

Gina & Danelle Oct. 20-24

Amanda & Ashlee Nov. 3-7

Crystal & Kimmies Nov. 10-14

Materials:

- Concrete mix
- Water
- Oil
- Cake pan (mold)
- Shells, marbles, etc. to decorate

Directions:

Mix concrete with water just to the point of being able to scoop and spread. The wrong
amount of water will make the concrete not hold together when removed.

Pour concrete into mold, filling mold almost to edge. Use potato masher to tamp down in
order to remove air bubbles that will cause the concrete to crack.

Allow children to decorate. Please use screwdriver/old pencil to mark child’s name or
initials as a means of labeling.

Leave out to dry at least 24 hrs. When dried, stones will be transferred to sand area to
decorate our garden until the end of the year.

Verse:

“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him. Truly He is my rock and my
salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:1-2
Herb Planting

Gina – cilantro

Ashleigh – basil

Nikki – mint

Crystal – mint

Amanda – thyme

Danelle/Jeanie – thyme

Kimmies – parsley

Ashlee – basil

Materials:

- Seeds
- Potting soil
- Clay pot

Directions:

Follow package directions for planting, careful not to plant too much in our little pots.
There will several left over. The reason for planting herbs, besides opening children to the many
flavors of life, is to actually see and care for something growing in their own classroom. Please
make sure that you remember to water and give your herbs sunlight. You can draw attention to
the fact that herbs are not something we eat by themselves, but rather something God gave us to
flavor our foods, making food enjoyable not just necessary.

Verse:

“Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every
tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.” Genesis 1:29
Pumpkin Prayer

Materials:

-1 pumpkin (per class)

- 1 candle
- pumpkin carving tools

Directions:

Follow the guidance of the poem to carve your pumpkin. It may help to draw this out
first, then cut.

"Pumpkin Prayer"

Open my mind so that I can learn about You;

(cut the top off the pumpkin)

Take all my sin and forgive the wrong that I do.

(clean out the inside)

Open my eyes so Your love I will see;

(cut eyes shaped like hearts)

I’m sorry for times I’ve turned up my nose at what You’ve given to me.
(cut a nose in the shape of a cross)

Open my ears so Your word I will hear;

(cut ears shaped like a Bible)

Open my mouth to tell others You’re near.

(cut the mouth in the shape of a fish)

Let Your light shine in all I say and do!

(place candle inside and light it)

Amen!
Verse:

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and
glorify your Father in heaven..” Matthew 5:16
Dear Parents,

Have you seen our garden lately? Our veggies and herbs are growing wonderfully! But
while we wait to harvest, we will have several activities to make our garden beautiful. One class
each week will be creating individualized stepping stones to mark our garden. We need your
help! Please gather small items with your child to personalize their stone. Items may include
small leggos or action figures, marbles, shells, barrettes, sequins, etc. Please remember that these
items will be embedded in concrete and must fit with an 8” in. cake pan. Feel free to be as
creative as you wish!

Your child’s items are needed:

Dear Parents,

Have you seen our garden lately? Our veggies and herbs are growing wonderfully! But
while we wait to harvest, we will have several activities to make our garden beautiful. One class
each week will be creating individualized stepping stones to mark our garden. We need your
help! Please gather small items with your child to personalize their stone. Items may include
small leggos or action figures, marbles, shells, barrettes, sequins, etc. Please remember that these
items will be embedded in concrete and must fit with an 8” in. cake pan. Feel free to be as
creative as you wish!

Your child’s items are needed: Your child’s items are needed:

Dear Parents,

Have you seen our garden lately? Our veggies and herbs are growing wonderfully! But
while we wait to harvest, we will have several activities to make our garden beautiful. One class
each week will be creating individualized stepping stones to mark our garden. We need your
help! Please gather small items with your child to personalize their stone. Items may include
small leggos or action figures, marbles, shells, barrettes, sequins, etc. Please remember that these
items will be embedded in concrete and must fit with an 8” in. cake pan. Feel free to be as
creative as you wish!

Your child’s items are needed:

Coffee Grounds/Review November 3-7

The object of this week is to take a breather and look at what has grown and what is
continuing to grow. Our garden time is pointless if we do not watch the step by step process. So
this week take your kiddos out and appreciate the progress.

Bring out your baggies with pea plants and label the parts – roots, stem, leaves. Send
them home with the kids to plant in their own yard.

Look at your planter box and see if anything green is coming up yet. Reinforce the idea
of what is happening beneath the ground. Roots grow down first, then stems and leaves come up.
When the plant is established it will grow veggies. Water it if you’d like to.

Look at your herb pot and see if anything has come up yet. It may not yet have, but if it
has go through a similar process of talking about what is happening.

Finally, pray with the kids. Reinforce that all things that grow are from God and He is in control
of it all. Let’s make sure we take some time and teach the kids to be thankful for all God has
blessed us with.
Scarecrows Nov. 10-14

Materials:

-donated clothing

-donated stuffing (grocery bags)

- redwood stake w/ hanger attached

-string

This is to be a fun activity for your kiddos, but here is some history of the scarecrow:

“A scarecrow or hay-man is a decoy or mannequin in the shape of a human. It is usually dressed

in old clothes and placed in open fields to discourage birds such as crows or sparrows from
disturbing and feeding on recently cast seed and growing crops. Over the centuries, farmers have
used a variety of techniques besides scarecrows to accomplish the same goal. Many have used
noise-makers like windmills, horse rattles, and even automatic noise guns powered by propane
gas. In California, we more commonly see shiny ribbons tied every so often to reflect the sun and
scare away the birds.”

But scarecrows are much prettier and more fun to make! So this activity is simple, dress your
scarecrow. Stuff him/her using the grocery bags and string as best as possible. Be as creative as
you wish!
Chia Faces May 4-8

Materials:

Clear plastic cups

Potting soil

Grass seed

Sharpies

This activity is really just for fun! Help each child scoop enough potting soil to fill his/her
cup about ¾. Sprinkle a spoon full of grass seed over the top, making sure it coats the entire
surface. Label each cup with the child’s name and draw a sill face or use silly-face stickers.

Of course, take the time to use this activity to reinforce some of the ideas we’ve already
learned. Where do all things in nature come from? God. What will happen to our grass seed?
First roots and then blade will grow. What does our seed need? Water, soil, and sunlight.

PLEASE take these back to your classroom and water them with your kiddos. The more
involved they are in taking care of the plants, the more the concept is reinforced. Also, keep them
in a sunny place or they won’t grow as well. When the grass grows in well enough, feel free to
send it home.
Bird Feeders January 12-16

Materials:

Apple

Metal soon

Bird seed

String

Packing tape

Contradictory though it may seem, yes, we are feeding the birds after making scarecrows
to scare them off. Take your apple and hollow it out. The insides can be thrown away. Fill the
inside with bird seed. Use packing tape and string to make a sort of criss-cross sling, like
wrapping a present with ribbon and securing the underside cross with the packing tape. As best
as possible, hang the feeder in our tree. The idea is that the feeder is as natural as possible, but
that it also stays secure and stable outside….. but it is an experiment!

Use this opportunity to talk about the birds, what they eat, how they live, how God takes
care of them too. Talk about how our trash and leftover lunches can harm the birds who try to eat
it. Soon many of the birds will start laying eggs in their nests and we might find a few baby
birds. Have fun with the simple activity and let the discussion follow.

Verse:

“Look at the birds of the sky: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your
heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more than they?” Matthew 6:26
Garden Tasting/ “I can eat a whole plant” January 26-30

Materials:

“Whole Plant” poster

Wash pan with water in it

Knife

Cutting board

Finally! We get to taste our veggies. Help the children gather one of each type of veggie.
Then, sitting in front of the “whole plant” poster, ask them which plant goes in which box. For
example, the radishes are a root. The lettuce is a leaf. The peas are a flower. We didn’t grow any
“stems” this time, but celery would be considered a stem. The peas outside the pod would be
considered seeds, but have the children think of other seeds they might eat.

Now take time to taste the veggies we have grown, being mindful to share all of the
veggies with all of LCCS. The peas and onions will be better cooked or added to something. Feel
free, once the classes have all gone through, to make something with your kiddos with your class
vegetable.

I know some of the veggies may not have grown. This is the life of a farmer. There could
be a number of factors involved in this, that the seed was planted too deep, didn’t receive enough
water, or was missing some kind of “food” in the soil. Whatever it is, we learn from it and do
better next year. Please, still enjoy the lesson, though!
Water Cycle and Weather February 17-20

Materials: mason jar?

soil

freshly picked branch

water

We’ve had very interesting and different weather lately! This lesson is a little difficult to
understand, even for adults. So we’re going to stick to the basics. Fill the jar with soil, just
enough to make a 2in. layer. Pull a small branch off a shrub and place it in the jar. Then heavily
soak the soil with a spray bottle. Seal the jar. The effects will take a few days, so you will take
this to watch in your classroom.

You have just created a mini environment. The water from the soil will evaporate in the
sunlight, creating steam in the top. That steam will condense and produce condensation (or rain)
and you will see droplets form on the glass. The cycle repeats. This is a basic form of how our
world works. The water in the ground or bodies of water evaporate into the air, get caught up in
the clouds, condense into rain and snow, and then fall back down onto the earth. Fog is that
moisture evaporating from the ground and forming clouds on the ground.

Truthfully, there is so much more complexities to weather – warm fronts, cold fronts,
positions of the moon and sun and earth. Discuss with the children how weather is different
during each season. Discuss how different places have different weather – like snow in the
mountains because they are high in the air, closer to the snow-filled clouds. Let discussion lead
wherever it may and give God the glory through it all, that He cares for us, supplies our needs,
and even gives us something interesting like weather and seasons that are always changing and
always in His hands.
Clover Planting February 2-6

Materials:

Clover seed (PLEASE LEAVE ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE)

Potting soil

Water hose w/ attachment

Just for fun, reinforcing the growth process, here we go again planting something new
and exciting! With any luck our clover will grow in time for St. Patrick’s Day.

Give each child a smidge of the clover seed, remembering that all 100 LCCS students
need the opportunity to do this. Have them spread the seed over our sand area where the stepping
stones are. While I am going to go back over it and fill-in, have the kids spread out to
demonstrate that we are seeding the entire area. Then give each child a handful for potting soil to
spread over their seed. This is to warm the seed and fertilize it. Finally, have the children stand
back as you lightly water the seed. Reinforce the concepts here, the seed will take root, then
grow up. This will not be something we eat, but something to make our garden more beautiful,
like our grass on our playground. Again, hopefully it will be grown in time for us to share St.
Patrick’s Day legends of four-leaf clovers!
Rainbow Flowers February 23-27

Materials: flowers

Food coloring

Water

Bottles/tubes

This is a fun, pre-St. Patrick’s Day experiment. Pour water into 5 containers, filling half-
way. Add 3-5 drops of food coloring to each making red, yellow, green, blue, purple. Place one
flower into each vial, trimmed if necessary to remain standing.

Over the next few days, the water will travel through the stem, feeding the flower and
changing its petals the color of the water. Use this evidence to explain to the children how water
is a vital element to all living things and how it travels through the plant. The plant has veins,
just like we do. And like the plant, we cannot survive without water. Use this opportunity to
discuss the importance of water in our lives as well.

Sure, it’s a fun and silly activity but let it lead to whatever conversations your kids pick
up on. And of course, let it all lead back to God. God made the plants and the water and us. He
meets our needs whatever, wherever, whenever we need them.
Preparing the Soil

We must get our boxes ready for planting next week! 7 of our 9 boxes are cleared and
will have extra potting soil added to them. The old soil needs to be replenished with the new and
all mixed together. SO we get to dig in the dirt! Allow the kids to use shovels and rakes to
carefully mix soil, not getting it all over themselves or each other. Besides that, you are welcome
to spend as much time and play in as many boxes as you’d like! And start talking to them about
what seeds you will be planting….
Planting Week!

Gina –

Ashleigh –

Nikki –

Crystal –

Amanda –

Danelle/Jeanie –

Kimmies –

Ashlee –

Materials:

-seeds

-ruler

Directions:

Here we go again!! Follow package instructions, involving the children as much as

possible. Read fun facts to your kids about your veggie and talk about how you can eat it or
prepare it when it is full grown. Discuss again how it will grow – seed, roots, stem, produce. This
is another good opportunity to talk about God’s creation of food for us, showing He provides for
us. But it is also an awesome opportunity to talk about fresh foods and encourage the children to
eat healthy rather than junk food. These plants will not produce until the summer, so encourage
the kids to come back and check it out or try some of the food at their own homes.

Verse:

“The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”

Genesis 2:15