Habitat loss, (pollinators love herbs/plants in the mint family), offer opportunities for students to develop a reciprocal relationship to nature and opportunities to engage senses for younger students. The herbs will give them a way to give back to their school and community through the gift of herbs for culinary and floral and craft purposes and boost to pollinators. In addition, they will learn about plant medicine, as culinary herbs are health promoting
I will buy a variety of herbs to get started, and other supplies. I will work with the garden coordinator/teacher that works at the school with the 3rd and fourth graders to plant the herb garden with the students. At this activity they will learn about pollinators and the effects or our actions on their health, how we can help them. In other lessons, the students will take cuttings and propagate them, learning plant biology. Some herbs will also be planted at Woodside, the school that serves the kindergarteners and first graders. Herbs will be used to convey pattern recognition exercises, sensory exercises, and also to attract pollinators, which they will observe. The little ones will also propagate herbs, reviewing plant parts, and for the spring plant sale. The spring plant sale provides plants for all the community gardens. I will also plant herbs with the Middle School Garden Club. I will work with participants to make salves and craft with the herbs, and soap if that is permitted. It would be great to give them an alternative to soaps with palm kernel oil!!!!
