DO YOU SEE THEM???

Check out our very first flowers! They are really little yellow and purple crocus. They are so cute! I found them on the northeast corner of the garden. Please stop by and check them out if you have a chance! :)

Spring is in the air and bulbs are popping up through the ground!!! :)

Here are some pictures I took this morning of our bulbs that are coming up. I am so excited! I went through the school this morning announcing to anyone who would listen that this was happening.

The containers have moved outside!

I managed to get all of the 1st through 6th graders in the room at some point this week. We planted like crazy. You should ask your child what they planted in their container. It was fun to watch them get their hands dirty and we weren't even out in the garden, yet! Here are a few of the move from inside to their new home!


North counter in the classroom. It took up the enter wall of counter space.


Same north wall from another angle. Just wanted everyone to see how many containers we really have!


Emma and Robin are two of the 6th graders who helped me move the containers from the classroom out to their new temporary home.


Tyler and Noah also showed their strength by carrying these trays outside by themselves!


Home sweet (temporary) home! I am sure those seeds are wondering what in the world happened to their new cozy WARM old home. It is supposed to rain some this weekend, so I wanted them to be outside to start getting acclimated as soon as possible.


The next set of pictures should be getting the outline of the garden set using some of the tree stumps from the trees we cut down in the fall, adding wood chips for a walking path and most anxiously awaiting the arrival of some buds from our bulbs. :)

Today we started out winter sowing! I started with the 4th graders. They really did a fantastic job of following directions and planting both cosmos and baby's breath seeds. I was very proud of them!




The 5th graders prepared their marigold and red poppy seeds. They, also, helped me prepare the 1st graders containers. The first graders came in and planted marigolds, red poppy's and cosmos. I was sad that I didn't have enough hands to take pictures of the first graders.




A huge thanks go out to Robert's dad for collecting most of these containers and Ms. Polly for helping provide the special potting soil we used. I sure appreciate all the contributions!

Second, Third and Sixth graders will need to plant theirs and we will take the trays outside to let them "do their thing". I keep reminding the students this is an EXPERIMENT and if it succeeds awesome, if not that is ok, too.

If anyone knows of how I could get a hold of some plain stepping stones, I sure could use the help. I have sought donations, but have been unsuccessful.

Thank you, GOD for the beautiful sunshine this week! We look forward to seeing our bulbs start poking up through the soil outside, soon! :)

Winter Sowing

The 6th graders and I are currently preparing all the containers for our winter sowing experience. Each of the 1st-5th graders will have a container they will nurture in the coming weeks. The 6th graders will be "in charge" of the containers and making sure that they are cared for properly. Winter sowing is a process that is supposed to help to strengthen the seeds as they acclimate themselves to the wonderful Wisconsin coldness. Old milk jugs are filled with potting soil and the seeds, then taped shut with the top left off. These jugs are left outside from around the end of February until they germinate in their own time, sometime during the spring months. I am anxious to see if this process will be successful. We are conducting a true experiment that the whole school will watch in anticipation. Wish us luck!

WOW!!!!

I have been overwhelmed by the number of people who have brought in dirt and empty plastic clear bottles. Thank you so much for remembering to bring them in! If you happen to look around your garage and want to get rid of your half full bag of potting soil OR would like to donate a new bag, feel free to drop it by the science lab anytime. I am also collecting clear or translucent large plastic bottles. (empty juice bottles, milk cartons, water/pop bottles, spaghetti containers, etc...) Please be sure that they are clean when you send them in (yes, I know I am being picky). :) Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity! Kim

Happy Veteran's Day

Just wanted to say thanks so much to those who dedicate themselves to serve our country! We, at St. Dennis, truly love each and everyone of you!!!