STUDENTS DIG INTO GARDENING AT ANNETTE PERRY GREENHOUSE
On a sunny Wednesday afternoon , dozens of Pre-K students at Annette Perry Elementary School waited as patiently as they could near the campus ’ brand-new greenhouse . Sitting in rows outside , the little learners held small plastic pots waiting for the chance to plant a seed .
When it was Niko Santiago ’ s turn to plant his seed , he put on a gardening glove and carefully scooped dirt into his plastic pot . Niko meticulously placed his seed in the pot and tried his best to spray water into it before receiving some help from his teacher Chelsie Schwab . to study plants or biology .” Chaires said that when she first introduced the idea of the greenhouse to her students , they weren ’ t sure what it was . Schwab said she received a similar response from her students , but both classes were curious to see it .
“ I was getting them excited all week , and they have not stopped talking about it ,” Schwab said .
“ Pre-K involves a lot of handson learning and learning through play ,” Chaires said . From putting on gloves , to scooping dirt , to watering , students are moving while learning in the greenhouse .
“ Students learn best when they are involved in hands-on experiences , like planting a seed and watching it grow ,” said Alycen Phan , director of early learning . “ These experiences help build background knowledge and vocabulary in students so that they are college and career ready .”
Student Fernanda Rivera enjoyed her recent lesson in gardening .
“ I felt happy in the greenhouse because I love growing some plants ,” Fernanda said .
“ That ’ s how plants grow ,” Niko said about the watering process , adding that the sun helps , too .
Pre-K teacher Mariana Chaires was awarded a Mansfield ISD Education Foundation grant to purchase the greenhouse . The district ’ s maintenance department assembled it , and Chaires worked with her students ’ parents and her own family to fill the building with books and gardening tools . Chaires shared a sign-up form with her campus ’ teachers so any classroom can make use of the space .
“ A lot of kids might not get the chance to garden ,” Chaires said about her motivation to build a greenhouse . “ It could open their eyes to some passion
Left : Pre-K teacher Mariana Chaires helps water her students ’ plants they ’ ve just planted .
Right : Pre-K teacher Chelsie Schwab helps her students fill pots with dirt before planting seeds .
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