The PTO is happy to support our garden and Garden educator Deb Gries. Throughout the year she works with the students to grow various vegetables and plants, teaches about native species and hosts our very own Garden Club!

 

"The 3rd Grade Pea Project is based on the book, First Peas to the Table: How Thomas Jefferson Inspired a School Garden, written by Susan Grigsby. I started the project 9 or 10 years ago when the 3rd graders studied Colonial History.

 

 

In the book, the students learn that Thomas Jefferson had a pea growing contest with his neighbors. Whoever filled a bowl with peas first would host a dinner to celebrate. The book also describes growing vegetables in a school garden and growing peas.

 

 

We start the project in February by reading the book. Over the first couple of weeks, the students learn botany and garden terminology while studying 4-5 types of peas. They study and compare the pea varieties and decide as a group which peas they think are more likely to help them reach their goal of growing the most peas. 

 

I've modified the contest a bit. Instead of the first class to fill a bowl winning the contest, we measure the peas each class grows and whoever grows the most, wins the contest.   Since the peas don't ripen all at the same time, we pick peas for a few weeks as they ripen and shell them. The picked peas are put in a ziploc bag with the teacher's name on it and the bag goes in the freezer. The last day of garden for the school year is HARVEST DAY!

 

We harvest the last of the peas, shell them and combine them with the frozen peas. The peas are poured into my 4-cup measuring cup and I document it by taking a picture. They have a blast!  I saute the peas in a  little olive oil with garlic scapes from the garden. The students chow down and most of them love the peas. Throughout the 4 to 5 month process, the students learn about pea variability, how to germinate peas, pea anatomy (seed and plant), including the tendrils and what their function is and many other things.  It's a phenomenal project! "

 

-Deb