What began a year ago last June at Meet the Teacher Night with parent volunteers’ promises of help has become a year-long journey of science discovery and observation for the students at West Lake Elementary.

Spearheaded by fifth-grade teacher Angie Stafford, the garden box has added another dimension to the students’ study of ecosystems and science concepts.

Last September, three fathers built the raised box outside Stafford’s classroom window and the following week soil was added. Students then began the task of planting fall flowers and bulbs. A bird feeder and bird bath were erected so the students might observe birds in a natural setting. This spring, herbs, annuals and vegetable plants donated by parents were added to the garden.

In addition, students added earthworms to keep the soil healthy.

The garden has enabled fifth graders to add “garden observations” to their science observation journals. Other classes at the school were able to visit the garden box to record their observations. The garden box provided a nearby habitat for second graders as they studied the life cycle of butterflies. Second graders were able to see the caterpillars munching on fennel and parsley up close.

It has been a good review for other grades as well, particularly for fifth graders as they prepared for the Science End of Grade test that included ecosystems and life cycles. A third grade class created a writing/science activity called ‘Ask a Fifth Grader’ and Stafford’s class then provided written responses to them.

The plan was for this to be an outdoor Science Lab that will be used continuously by the entire school community. Stafford’s goals for the project were many. She wanted to create a hands-on activity to bring life to the fifth grade Ecosystem unit as well as provide a convenient plant observation space for all grades. The garden box also has provided real life experiences for students to use in their writing and promoted reading of non-fiction sources as students researched various plants and animals. It also has provided many opportunities for interactions among and between grade levels for both students and teachers.

Students have been eager to share their project with family and friends. One Saturday in May, parents were invited to see the garden and to taste swiss chard they cooked in the classroom from items they harvested and iced tea flavored with mint they had grown.

The project has exceeded expectations.

Says Stafford, “Because the garden is so visible from our window, on several occasions my planned lessons were altered due to the arrival of birds or other visitors to the garden. Therefore, I took advantage of those teachable moments to interject science information in a natural setting.” Stafford says the best evaluation of all has been watching the excitement on student’s faces as they got their hands dirty and hearing their enthusiastic voices while planting.