Community Gardens Greenhouse - Lowell, MA
Lowell Community Public Charter School
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The month of June 2007 was spent in class and out on the barren hardtop of the Charter school playground where a dump
truck full of soil was placed for the garden. Greenhouse volunteers met weekly with the students who learned about soil
cultivation, composting, litter, plant species, container gardening, manures, garden design, teamwork and garden insects.
They also learned to identify plants such as alyssum and herbs by scent.
This initiative was a hands-on, participatory, practical application of the skills and techniques needed to create an inner city
urban garden. All 12 of the students were tremendously interested and participated with great enthusiasm. There were
many questions about products and materials used.
While creating the garden, the class read the book "Seed Folks" which is a story about a community garden. As the garden
evolved, the teacher made connections between this garden and the story. There was a great amount of discussion on
some topics such as animal manures and worms which fascinated the youth. Having actual materials for the students to
examine was priceless!
The class visited the greenhouse where they were able to see a much larger operation of community gardening. They ran
throughout the gardens finding plants and materials that connected them to their learning experience. It was especially
good to see how they called out to each other as one would discover something of interest and call for a friend to join in and
observe. It was an exciting day for the students to tour the entire space and see their very own seed starting project
sprouting in the greenhouse.
This program ended back in the classroom as the Community Gardens Greenhouse awarded certificates to the students
and teacher for their participation in creating and learning about community gardens.
truck full of soil was placed for the garden. Greenhouse volunteers met weekly with the students who learned about soil
cultivation, composting, litter, plant species, container gardening, manures, garden design, teamwork and garden insects.
They also learned to identify plants such as alyssum and herbs by scent.
This initiative was a hands-on, participatory, practical application of the skills and techniques needed to create an inner city
urban garden. All 12 of the students were tremendously interested and participated with great enthusiasm. There were
many questions about products and materials used.
The garden site was a flat barren hardtop. A chain link fence was constructed around the garden. After the
garden was fenced in, wood barriers were placed along the chain link to form the container. Kids filled the
container with the soil, compost, and amendments then planted marigolds, alyssum, pineapple sage, peppers, squash.
While creating the garden, the class read the book "Seed Folks" which is a story about a community garden. As the garden
evolved, the teacher made connections between this garden and the story. There was a great amount of discussion on
some topics such as animal manures and worms which fascinated the youth. Having actual materials for the students to
examine was priceless!
The class visited the greenhouse where they were able to see a much larger operation of community gardening. They ran
throughout the gardens finding plants and materials that connected them to their learning experience. It was especially
good to see how they called out to each other as one would discover something of interest and call for a friend to join in and
observe. It was an exciting day for the students to tour the entire space and see their very own seed starting project
sprouting in the greenhouse.
This program ended back in the classroom as the Community Gardens Greenhouse awarded certificates to the students
and teacher for their participation in creating and learning about community gardens.
Located at 206 Jackson Street in Lowell
Sponsor - The Parker Foundation
Sponsor - The Parker Foundation
| Growing communities from the ground up! |
Sharon Penicaud, is a Visual Arts Teacher for the Lowell Community Charter
Public School. The student population, along with Ms. Penicaud agreed to
plant boxes and create gardens that are more portable as they are in grave
need of a playground and space cannot be committed for an in-ground
garden.
The garden development was used to primarily to teach students gardening
and environmental skills while creating an exciting botanical environment in
their neighborhood. There are no gardens at this location and the school
staff felt it was an excellent way to encourage students to learn and a great
outlet for their energy.
Public School. The student population, along with Ms. Penicaud agreed to
plant boxes and create gardens that are more portable as they are in grave
need of a playground and space cannot be committed for an in-ground
garden.
The garden development was used to primarily to teach students gardening
and environmental skills while creating an exciting botanical environment in
their neighborhood. There are no gardens at this location and the school
staff felt it was an excellent way to encourage students to learn and a great
outlet for their energy.
A temporary garden at best---a lifelong learning experience.