After learning about pollinators and their importance in helping provide some of our favorite foods- like chocolate- students of the Orchard class of 2025, set out to help the variety of pollinators that live at or near The Orchard School. Together they researched several different options before agreeing upon the installation of a pollinator garden. 

 

A pollinator garden intentionally includes plant species that provide nectar and pollen for pollinators. Throughout the fall and winter, students learned that their pollinator garden would need to include a wide range of flower types, shapes, and sizes in order to serve as many different species of pollinators as possible. It was also important that they choose plants that would allow the garden to bloom throughout the whole growing season. They also discovered that if the garden was to succeed in attracting and supporting pollinators, it was critical that herbicides and pesticides not be used on the garden.   

 

Last October, students applied their beginning measurement skills to the task of measuring the chosen garden area to figure out the square footage. Using rulers, math manipulatives, and graph paper, student drew a scale drawing depicting the shape and size of the proposed garden. The drawings and some simple math calculations helped students identify how many plants would be needed for the garden. Early in the spring of 2018, students used seed catalogs to create a list of potential plants for the garden. Eventually the list was whittled down to three perennial flower species and four species of annuals. They then worked together to plant and grow more than 10 flats of the different flowers that were chosen in one of the school’s greenhouses. 

 

In May, students worked with their teachers to prep and plant the garden. Today many different species of pollinators visit the garden every hour. Depending on when you arrive and how long you stay, you can see everything from ants to bumblebees to spiders to butterflies. Hummingbirds and sphinx moths have been known to stop by, and we are even starting to see a few Monarch caterpillars munching away on the common milkweed that was included. 

 

The Pollinator garden is an excellent example of “student voice” at the Orchard School. Through their coursework, the class of 2025 saw a need and was inspired to use what they had learned to make a difference. While the original insect unit did not include the installation of a garden, the students’ interest, passion, and desire spoke volumes and the teachers worked together with their students to help their voice be heard- or in this case…seen. 

More on Kindergarten Academics: Orchard Kindergarten Teachers Use Fairy Tales To Enhance Academics

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