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Preparing our Garden Planters for the Fall with Ian - 4 Year old Class


We began the morning with a group discussion about Ian visiting our class to do some planting (in our planting boxes on the deck). The response from the children was mixed, with some children enthusiastic to get their hands into the dirt, using “real” garden tools and checking to see if there are “real” worms in the worm bin; whilst others not so sure if they even wanted to see the worm bin!!!

After a short introduction by Ian, we head onto the deck to begin loosening up the soil in the planters box, and looking at the lettuce that had been growing over the summer. We then transplanted the lettuce into another box so it would have room to grow. This the children did carefully, picking a spot in the box and making sure the lettuce is not planted to close together.

After washing our hands, Ian introduced the children to shelling beans, using fine motor skills, the children began the task of sorting beans to colors. Chloe found the beans to be “slippery” as she rubs them in her hand.

 
After shelling, counting and sorting the beans, the children make:




A Happy Face by Mia, who said “if you turn it upside down it is a sad face.”




Ava makes a pattern with the beans. 



Matthew made a line with the beans.



 
 
 
 
Here is what some of the children said they made:

 

Lily – Cat


Tiffany – Fireworks Monster


Taya – Fish


Cade  - Castle



 
The children transplanted the lettuce and thinned it out so it would have more room to grow.


 
Ian helping Tiffany squeeze the water out of bean which will then be ready to sprout in a few days




Ian explains to the children how to take care of the bean at home, once it is in a  plastic bag.
 
 
 
- Jess

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