GARDENING PROGRAM

​

Circle of Seasons’ Gardening Program for elementary school students provides children with experiential learning

opportunities across numerous academic disciplines, including math, biology, chemistry, nutrition, social science and visual art. The benefits to students beyond traditional academics are also numerous. Children learn about:

​

  

 

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

The Gardening Program at Circle of Seasons Charter School addresses issues that many of our children face: a disconnect with nature, an excessive exposure to electronic entertainment, an overabundance of fast food and junk food and a scarcity of exercise and outdoor play. The Gardening Program also provides opportunities for partnering and collaborating with local businesses, organizations and farms.

​

Circle of Seasons Gardening Program is focused on the following age- and developmentally-appropriate content:

​

​First and Second Grade: The Gardening Program for first and second graders emphasizes observation of

the natural world. Nature songs and stories are utilized to communicate the mysteries of nature, the balance

of life and the “circle of seasons.” Experiential learning includes creating and tending to a garden from

planning to mulching and weeding to harvesting.

​

Third Grade: The Gardening Program for third graders emphasizes elements of homesteading, including

self-sufficiency, sustainability, subsistence agriculture and preservation. Experiential learning includes

conducting germination tests, constructing a garden component (for example, a fence) and animal care.

​

Fourth and Fifth Grade: Students in the upper grades learn about the water and nutrient cycles, botany and

weather. Experiential learning opportunities include composting and building a weather station.

Through EITC grants, the COS Foundation will provide materials that are crucial to the Gardening Program: tools,

plants, soil, equipment for planting, harvesting, composting and animal care. EITC grants could also be used for

field trips to local and regional farms and visits from guest speakers.

​

When young students gain appropriate knowledge about the environment and how it supports life, the particular

needs of various plant and animal species, the cycle of the weather, the importance of conservation and the

responsible allocation of our natural resources, they obtain a wealth of insight into the impact of humans on the

earth and on each other. Through COS’ Gardening Program, students of all ages gain practical knowledge and

skills, and learn reverence, respect and responsibility for the world around them.

​

Gardening Program, Grades 1-5

Instrumental Music Program, Grades 1-5

Manual Arts Program: Woodworking, Grade 5

​

​

​

​