Late Fall Garden Activities

Many teachers have integrated the Garden into their classroom during late October and early November.  Kindergarten art students (with Mrs. Taylor) learned about the artist Andy Goldsworthy. They created natural art collages with plants and flowers they picked in the garden. The second grade dahlia bed was "put to bed" by Mrs. Clay, her students and parent volunteers. Fourth graders from Mrs. Bianchi's class partnered with the preschool to harvest their garden, cook parsnip apple muffins and create beautiful art. The pictures below capture some of these creative learning experiences.

Digging up Dahlias

Learning about seeds

Art with Mrs. Taylor

Andy Goldsworthy creations

Mrs. Bianchi's front hall display

Fun in the Garden with Preschool and Mrs. Bianchi

Nick and Penny, Part 2

The challenge for Part 2  of the Great Pumpkin Contest was to estimate the number of seeds in each pumpkin. All classes submitted their numbers based on seed lessons. Some classrooms carved smaller pumpkins and counted the seeds to help them arrive at an estimate.  During the last week of October, the seeds for Nick and Penny were counted by first and second graders. Penny had 426 seeds, the closest estimate was Mr. Carter's class who guessed 416 seeds. Nick had 301 seeds; Mrs.Farmer and Ms. Wheeler's class both guessed 300.  Nick and Penny were carved and on display in the front hallway for Halloween.  Students were sad to say goodbye to Nick and Penny, but we all agreed it was a Great Pumpkin Contest!

2nd grade students counting pumpkin seeds

Mrs. Murphy dissecting Nick

Mrs. Farmer's students learning about seeds first hand!

Mrs. Farmers Kindergarten class

Mr. Carter's 5th grade class

Ms. Wheeler's 5th grade class

The Great Pumpkin Contest at FES

During the first week of October all classes went outside and observed two large pumpkins in the garden, named Nick and Penny. Each class was challenged with estimating the weight and number of seeds in the pumpkins. Teachers and students used scientific and mathematical observations to arrive at their estimates, which were posted on a board in the main hallway. This week Nick and Penny were weighed. We were amazed to find that their weight only differed by 1/10th of a pound! 

NICK weighed 22 pounds. Class estimates ranged from 4 to 100 pounds. The closest estimates were from Mrs. Lallemand and Mr. Rosenblum (both guessed 21 pounds).

PENNY weighed 22.1 pounds. Class estimates ranged from 6 to 99 pounds. The closest estimates were from Mrs. Voisine and Mrs. Merrifield (both guessed 22 pounds). 

Later in the month the seeds in each pumpkin will be counted and the winners will be announced on Halloween. The pictures below show the story of unique ways that teachers turned the contest into a fun learning experience.

Penny Pumpkin in the garden

4th grade students observing Nick

Class Estimates in the front hallway

Mrs. Story's class learning about pumpkins

Ms. Wheeler's 5th grade calculations

First Graders hearing a pumpkin story

Mrs. Voisine's class

Mrs. Lallemand's class

Mrs. Merrifield's class

Mr. Rosenblum's class

1st graders estimating weight

Mrs. Merrifield's students organizing the board

October Wellness~ Walk to School and Garden Updates

We are embracing the month of October at FES with outdoor wellness activities. Students from Grades 1-5 walked to school on the first Tuesday in October. We believe that students are more attentive when they start the day with some physical activity.  An Eagle Scout Project was completed by Falmouth high school student  Peter Morrisette. He  built and installed a new handicapped accessible garden bed along with 2 hoop house covers that will allow us to extend the garden season. We appreciate and recognize Peter for his excellent workmanship and lasting gift to the Learning Garden.  Check out the pictures of our outdoor October activities.

A morning walk to School

The new handicapped accessible raised garden bed

Hoop house Covers

Bullfrog sighted by Mrs. Merrifield's class

2nd Grade Dahlias are still blooming

Bree Bianchi and the miniature carrot 

Good morning, morning glories

Beautiful Veggies

Showing off the garden produce!

Who Has Been Seen In The Garden?

Many teachers are taking advantage of beautiful fall weather to use the garden as their classroom. The entire first grade shucked hundreds of ears of corn during Maine Harvest Lunch Week. Other classes have used the Garden for observations that have led to writings and drawings. 

Our school wide pumpkin contest began on Oct. 1. There are two large pumpkins in the garden, named Nick and Penny. The challenge is on for each class to estimate the weight and number of seeds in each pumpkin. Math and science lessons will lead to their conclusions. The winners will be announced later in October. Our photos tell us WHO HAS BEEN SEEN IN THE GARDEN.

Ms. Conley harvesting purple beans

The Cutest Carrot ever!

Hardworking 1st graders with Mrs. Goldman,Mrs. Meserve& Mrs. Edwards

Superintendent Bruno and Mrs. Walker

Mrs. Poliquin & first grade 

Mrs. Farmer and Kindergarten students drawing in the garden

Mrs. Arsenault and the Pumpkin Contest

Estimating the weight of the pumpkin

Pumpkin vines donated by Mrs. Penrod

Mrs. Clay with garden flowers

Mrs. Daigle's class

Cafeteria decorations from the garden