…tarted. Basic Seed Sowing Steps: Find some trays or pots, or use recycled materials like a paper egg carton, or plastic yogurt or take-out containers (just poke some holes in the bottom for drainage). Fill the seed trays/pots with potting mix or seed-starter soil mix. Moisten the surface of the soil. Plant a few seeds of the same variety in each pot (refer to the seed packet for instructions on how deep to plant each variety in the soil.) Be s…
…height, # leaves, size of leaves, etc.) At the end of the experiment have students write up a report, including how their predictions differed from the actual outcome and why. The length, depth, and components of this report will be determined by the teacher….
…special menu to support the Growing Minds program. Reservations can be made at posanarestaurant.com or by calling 828-505-3969….
…A great singalong, complete with a CD or access audio singalong and video animation online at barefootbooks.com/drivetractor. Learn about farming through the seasons. Sung by SteveSongs….
…ties and experience a seasonally sourced meal from the surrounding farming community. So what are you waiting for? Come join us on the farm! Contact us for more information at growingminds@nullnullasapconnections.org Farm to Preschool Training In this workshop, early care and education professionals will get an introduction to the four core components of Farm to Preschool (edible gardening, farm field trips/farmer visits, local food classroom cooking…
…s in dirt? How does earth help things grow? The answers are within this fun- and fact-filled picture book. Just follow the gardening star-nosed mole in the colorful outfits…and dig in! Watch a read aloud on YouTube. Find more books Visit the Growing Minds’ farm to school literature database to discover more of our favorite children’s books about soil, compost, and worms. Educators in the Asheville area can check out books from our lending library….
…going on around him Seeds are being planted, and inside them there are ten-foot-tall sunflowers and mammoth pumpkins and beans that just go on forever. And though the scarecrow knows that he can as quickly be turned back into straw and buttons as he was turned into a man, he doesn’t care. He has been with the owls in evening and the rabbits at dawn. He has watched a spider work for hours Making a web like lace. He has seen the sun tremble and…
…nal story by Pamela Duncan Edwards tells the tale of Clara, a cute and carefree common cabbage caterpillar who becomes a courageous and completely contented butterfly. Kids love the alliterative language and characters in this great garden adventure. Watch a read aloud on YouTube. Recommended for ages 4-8. The Giant Cabbage In this Alaskan folktale, Moose chooses his largest cabbage to enter into the Giant Cabbage Contest at the Alaska State Fair…
…ardy lesson plan is designed for grades 4-5. You can find a great list of K-12 soil experiments and hands-on activities–including soil painting, soil colors, and soil properties–compiled by the Soil Science Society of America at soils4kids.org. Click here for a list of muddy arts and crafts and play-based activities geared toward preschoolers. While International Mud Day (yes that’s a thing!) is officially celebrated on June 29, playing in the mu…
…ore garden-related activities, recipes, journal topics, and tips. Pitter-Patter Rain Stick: Celebrate the life-bringing rains of spring by making a rain stick. You’ll need a cardboard paper towel tube or gift wrap tube, two 6” circles of colorful paper, two rubber bands, uncooked rice, colorful yarn, and stickers or markers. Directions: Use markers (or stickers) to decorate the tube. Wrap a circle cutout over one end of the tube and use a rubb…