\u201cWant to see my squirrel trap?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
First grade scientists worked in the garden this week, growing skills and content knowledge with hands-on activities while also tending to our campus. Students have been caring for the many animals and plants that live in our Science Gardens throughout the year. Team jobs this week included adding mulch (\u201clike a blanket for the plants\u201d) to our raspberry and other plant beds, watering recently planted plants, turning the large compost aerating screw in our compost piles, watering our compost drum, tending to our chickens, taking worm compost out of the sub-pot, and chopping vegetable and fruit scraps from our Kitchen team into smaller pieces to be added to the composting process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their teacher shared about the current phase of compost our piles are in\u2014you can feel the warmth they generate, and see baby millipedes, rolly pollies, and lots of worms are growing and thriving, along with a whole microscopic ecosystem of good fungus and bacteria. Their teacher also showed photos of the larger animals that have been getting into our fenced gardens and eating some of the just-growing kale and pea shoots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThis one says \u2018shake here\u2019. The squirrel hears this marble and then crawls in this tube. It has a flap here so then the squirrel can\u2019t get the plant!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
When they finished their team\u2019s garden job, students used recycling scraps (various cardboard and plastic containers that have been thoughtfully rinsed and dried) to design and build \u201cplant protectors.\u201d These student inventions let the plant still get light, air and water, while protecting its base from being pecked and nibbled by ground squirrels and birds. Some students even thought about ways to build distraction and trapping inventions: \u201cThis one says \u2018shake here\u2019. The squirrel hears this marble and then crawls in this tube. It has a flap here so then the squirrel can\u2019t get the plant!\u201d Thanks to our students for caring for our community resources and also to our parent volunteers for support!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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