Planting the Seeds of Learning at Highland Elementary

This fall, we had the pleasure of working with Ms. McGovern and her amazing class at Highland Elementary in Stow-Munroe Falls School District to plant a beautiful new daffodil garden. It was an unforgettable experience filled with hands-on learning, outdoor exploration, and plenty of enthusiasm from the students!

Indoor Exploration: Learning About Plants

Our day began indoors, where we kicked things off with a fun, interactive lesson on plants and daffodils. The students were full of curiosity as we uncovered what they already knew and what they wondered about plant life. Through guided discussions and activities, we explored plant biology basics—learning about bulbs, roots, and how flowers grow. The class was engaged, excited, and ready to take their knowledge outside!

Dig, Plant, and Grow

After our Plant Bio 101 session, we grabbed our gardening tools and headed out to the school’s front garden. Each student had a chance to dig, plant a daffodil bulb, and backfill the hole with nutrient-rich compost generously provided by our friends at Rubber City Reuse. The students worked together with enthusiasm, showing teamwork, determination, and joy in getting their hands dirty for a great cause.

Nature Scavenger Hunt Adventure

While out in the garden, the students also participated in a nature scavenger hunt focused on discovering local macroinvertebrates and their above-ground friends. It was a perfect way to connect ecological concepts with real-world observations. The excitement of finding critters and learning about their habitats added an extra layer of adventure to the day.

Extending the Learning: Indoor Plant Science

To wrap up, we gathered as a class to reflect on what we had learned throughout the day. We introduced a special learning extension project: forcing paperwhite bulbs indoors. The students will be caring for their bulbs, observing changes, and documenting their scientific discoveries over the next few weeks. We can't wait to hear about their findings!

Thank You!

A huge thank you to Ms. McGovern, her incredible students, and our friends at American Meadows for making this experience possible. Watching students engage with nature, learn through hands-on experiences, and cultivate something beautiful for their school has been truly inspiring.

Stay tuned for updates on the students’ indoor plant project and their new garden!