November 2012 – Tending Our Common Ground

Garden Update: November 30

My kindergarteners found some little bugs on our green leaf lettuce! I’m not sure that we have correctly identified them but the kindergarteners decided that they were aphids. The kids thoroughly enjoyed researching them and looking at close up pictures of them once we got back to the classroom!

Home-School Connection: Amelia and Connor

Amelia and Connor grew their own sweet potato in their vegetable garden at home!

Special Dine Out at Murphy’s

I’m excited to announce that we raised $1,740 for our garden program through our Dine Out at Murphy’s Restaurant in Virginia Highland! We can not thank Chef Ian enough for inviting us to bring some of the leafy greens out of our rooftop garden for him to include in his menu on Monday, October 22nd. Murphy’s alsoContinue reading “*Special* Dine Out at Murphy’s”

Leaf Rubbings and Parts of a Leaf

This week, we took a hike around our campus to collect different leaves. Then we did leaf rubbings and identified the different parts of the leaf and the purpose of each.

Thanksgiving Lunch in the Cafeteria

We loved having everyone’s friends, families, and neighbors join us for our Family Day for Thanksgiving! The menu included… Home-style Turkey Cornbread Dressing Garden Cheese Salad w/ Chickpeas Locally-grown Baked Sweet Potatoes Locally-grown Radishes (Our Produce of the Month for November!) Locally-grown Collard Greens Locally-grown Fresh Apples (Click here to see to see the previousContinue reading “Thanksgiving Lunch in the Cafeteria”

Thought of the Day

What color is my shirt, today? Well… gingko-leaf-in-the-fall yellow 🙂

Family Meals Around the Table

“Every time we put a plate in front of our children, that’s a teachable moment.” – Sam Kass The preparation and enjoying of a meal together is an invaluable learning opportunity. Here are a couple things that can be learned around a dinner table… Learn about each other… Joining for a meal in community isContinue reading “Family Meals Around the Table”

Trees – Deciduous or Evergreen?

Kindergarten classes learned to compare and contrast deciduous and evergreen trees this week. Yes, even five year olds could pronounce the words and explain what they mean! Evergreen – Trees with needles or leaves that remain alive and on the tree through the winter and into the next growing season. Deciduous – Trees that shed allContinue reading “Trees – Deciduous or Evergreen?”

Tasting with Chef Andrew: Kale Chips

Chef Andrew from Atkin’s Park came by today to show us a new way to eat the kale we grew in the garden. We made Kale Chips! The kids compared the crunchy, salty taste to potato chips but they were made from kale! First, he removed the ribs from the kale. Then he tossed themContinue reading “Tasting with Chef Andrew: Kale Chips”

Edible Flowers: Pansies

We have planted pansies every winter since we started our garden. They are pretty winter hardy and can survive light freezes – even short periods of snow cover (just in case, we get any this year!) They are great for the roof because they grow well in the sun and in well-drained soil. The kidsContinue reading “Edible Flowers: Pansies”