Imagine…a living science experiment in your own classroom!
Imagine…students who are excited to eat healthy vegetables!
Imagine…students working as a team to help the environment!
Little Green Thumbs provides the opportunity for all of these things to happen in your classroom! Agriculture in the Classroom provides participating schools with all of the tools and training necessary to grow a garden inside the classroom. The Little Green Thumbs Saskatchewan program is provided by Agriculture in the Classroom Sask (AITC-SK) with funding from the Go Green Fund from the Ministry of Environment, Heifer International, the Environment Canada: Eco-Action Fund, and the TD Friends of the Environment Fund. This exciting program is committed to the transformation of our young people’s relationship to food. Through our “seed to salad” in-class program, students can participate in the empowering and enriching experience of sowing, growing, harvesting and eating their own vegetables.
In early 2007, AITC partnered with the First Nations Agricultural Council of Saskatchewan to establish the Little Green Thumbs program in 4 schools in Saskatchewan. Today, Little Green Thumbs Saskatchewan is managed by AITC, and has continued to grow in schools across the province. During the 2008/2009 school year, we had 42 Little Green Thumb schools, and we have continued to support our 42 schools, adding to our program for the 2009-2010 school year we now have 45 schools involved in the project.
Little Green Thumbs allows kids to connect to nature as they become part of the lifecycle of growing food. Students first plant tiny seeds and then work as a team to provide them with water, nutrients and love. Soon the tiny seedlings grow into large plants creating a jungle-like atmosphere in the classroom. Next the plants bloom and the students learn about pollinating as they try their best to do the job bees normally do. Finally, the plants produce delicious vegetables that the students share and enjoy! While the gardening process is taking place students also contribute to a healthier environment by composting their lunch food-waste using vermi-culture.
The results so far have been amazing! Teacher report that students
- Increased their appreciation of healthy food
- Are more conscious of how their actions affect the environment
- Improved their attitude towards farming
- Worked as a team to take care of the garden
Quotes from the teachers…
It has certainly made them aware of where their food comes from and the growing process. They were amazed that such a small seed could produce such a big plant. They also recognized that different plants start from different seeds. At the beginning some were hesitant to get their hands dirty by handling the soil but that soon changed. Some just liked to hold the soil in their hands and liked the feel of it.
- Anita King, Leask Community School, Leask
It has been an excellent opportunity for our students. They have been actively involved from the beginning of the project. They were just as excited about the garden at the end of the year as they were at the beginning. I often had kids say, "Next year we should..." or "Next time we need to try...". They really loved every part of the project and can't wait to start again. Some have also started gardens of their own at home.
- Marni Chadwick, Assiniboia Elementary, Assiniboia
The garden created…”Insight into plants, budding gardeners, preference for food without packages, absolutely fanatic about recycling, sparked interest in biology”
- Beverly Bzdel, Wynyard Elementary School, Wynyard
We gave away cucumbers and green peppers. We gave gladiolus to our moms and we made posters to share our knowledge. We did a musical for our whole community and we shared our granola with our parents and the new kindergarten students and our parents.
- JoAnne Lapierre, Laird School, Laird
We love to see the plants germinate, flower and produce vegetables. The results in the plants after the light was installed was amazing. Everyone in the school and community was impressed and pleased that their children were learning about plants. I hope that the students will be ready to plan, when they are leaders here, to build and operate a green house.
- Margaret Kriger, Father Porte Memorial Dene School, Black Lake
Quotes from the kids…
“Composting can save the planet!” – Grade 3 student, Delisle
“Kids can grow gardens, not just adults!” – Grade 6 student, Avonlea
"Early Girl had a baby and we named him Charlie!" – Grade 5 student, Rosetown
"My favourite part is teaching the little kids about the garden." – Grade 5 student, Rosetown
"I liked eating the vegetables the best" – Grade 4 student, Yorkton
"The garden smells so nice" – Grade 5 student, Ituna
Check out the Little Green Thumbs website for more information
www.littlegreenthumbssk.ca
Contact Information:
Adrianne Begg
Coordinator, Little Green Thumbs
Phone: 306-280-7240
Fax: 306-933-5715
Email: info@littlegreenthumbssk.ca
Located: 3830 Thatcher Ave.
Saskatoon, Sk. S7R 1A5
Mailing Address: RR#4 Site 412 Box 278
Saskatoon, Sk. S7K 3J7
Sponsors
Heifer International
Ministry of Environment
Environment Canada
Partners
