Welcome and Introduction
We will circle up by the garden to do a welcome and introduction with the children- What do they see growing in the garden? Who remembers planting it last spring? What did the plants do throughout the summer and what did those plants need to live and grow? What are the parts of the plants? It's the fall season and time to harvest- overview of what we'll be doing in the garden.
Harvesting and Planting
We will break the class into two groups. One of us will take half of the group to dig in the soil, discover what's living there, mix in compost, and plant garlic. One of us will work with the other group and teacher to harvest kale, wash and eat it, and continue the discussion on plant parts, what plants need to grow, and how healthy vegetables keep our bodies healthy. We will also be setting aside some of the harvested kale to donate to a local food pantry.
We will then circle back up to discuss what we learned and did, and provide the children the chance to tell everyone their favorite thing they did in the garden.
Now, think of how exciting it will be when that garlic pokes through the ground in early spring!