Do you have an incredible Lesson Plan that you would like to share with the rest of the LGT Teachers?  We would like to begin collecting lesson plans for LGT Teachers from LGT Teachers and have an amazing unveiling of them at the Teachers Workshop in 2010.  We will also post them on the website as soon as they become available to us (ie: you send them in!)

Please submit your lesson plans in a style that is easy to follow.  If possible, please include:

1. Your Name and School
2. Appropriate Grade Level
3. Objectives achieved with this lesson plan
4. Subjects covered
5. Materials required
6. Additional Resources (if available)
7. Lesson Instructions and Teacher Background info
8. Other information

Submit your Lesson Plans by June 1st, 2010 to be entered in the contest to win some wonderful AITC and LGT swag. You will recieve one entry into a draw per lesson plan submitted, and a draw will take place on June 3rd, 2010.

As Christmas is fast approaching, the Little Green Thumbs must add a few more things to the list of preparations before the holidays. In order to have a great garden growing when you return please ensure that the following checklist is taken care of prior to the last day of classes:

1. Ensure that all of your seedlings have been transplanted into the self-watering containers- they will dry out very quickly if you don’t!
2. Collect a 2 week supply of food for your worms and bury it deep at the bottom of the bins covered by paper and soil.  They will be just fine munching away over the break.
3. Fill your self-watering containers with water and remember to fertilize.
4. Prune and stake plants that will grow large over the holiday.
5. Speak with your custodian to ensure the power will be on during the holiday.
6. Double check your timer to make sure it is working while you will be away.

Last but not least, prepare to have the best holiday season yet!

Happy Holidays

from the Little Green Thumbs program and Agriculture in the Classroom Sask!

We hosted our third Little Green Thumbs Teachers Workshop here in Saskatoon on September 11th and 12th, 2009.  This years workshop featured lessons for first year teachers including garden kit set-up, composting with worms in the classroom, overview of the program, cultural components to the program, and a fabulous sharing session with experienced teachers.  We are also thrilled to be having our experienced teachers return to the workshop to extend their knowledge of in-classroom gardening and vermicomposting, as well as working together to plan and create the gardening experience in their school.  One of the best parts of this workshop was the feeling of community that was generated when so many wonderful teachers got together to share their experiences in hands-on education and helping their students to get in touch with nature.

This year, we had 37 teachers in attendance from Black Lake to Assiniboia and Lloydminster to Ochapowace First Nation.

Chief Mistawasis School hosted Janelle and I for a wonderful morning of gardening tips and a delicious lunch on May 14th, 2009.  The students prepared presentations about Flower Parts, Vegetables, Fruit, and read the story of Jack and the Bean Stalk aloud.

They were so proud of their garden and had great tomato plants and lettuce to show off.

On May 6th, 2009 Athabasca School hosted 4 other schools for a Celebration Event which included gardening and agriculture related sessions, lunch, and presentations with songs and skits.  They also hosted special guests from Heifer International as well as the Minister of Environment, Honourable Nancy Heppner, the Minister of Education, Honourable Ken Krawetz, and the Minister of Agriculture, Honourable Bob Bjornerud.  The students proudly showed off their Little Green Thumbs, and everyone had a fantastic time.

The teacher's hard work paid off when they were awarded Certificates for Excellence in Gardening! (L-R: Jean Wilson, Deana Kempel, Melissa McKechnie-Sullivan, Larry Bogdan and Adrianne Begg- Coordinator)

Students from Eyebrow, Avonlea, Athabasca and Robert Southey Schools

Here is an excerpt from the “Hot Jalapenos” School Blog where Queen Elizabeth Students share how their involvement in the Little Green Thumbs program is impacting the rest of their studies.  This is a tremendous example of how the garden experience can play a role in all different subjects and enhance the learning environment.  The students are very excited and proud of their accomplishments, and you can tell!

GREAT WORK LITTLE GREEN THUMBS! 

We have many schools involved in the Little Green Thumbs program and this year we are very excited to offer more french resources than ever before! This is a photo of the kindergarten class at an all French school in Prince Albert- École Valois.

The students at École Valois are so proud of their garden and their little beans, peas, worms and tomatoes are doing great! They have even been the stars of a newspaper article in the Prince Albert Herald!

Keep up the great work École Valois! Bonne Chance avec tous les plantes!