Answer to a raised bed gardening question

I have received a number of requests for information regarding the material used to create our raised bed gardens. If you look at the picture of our garden you will see a plastic wall that is 6" thick, 24" tall and 8' long. It is hollow and interconnects at each end. A three foot metal rod goes through holes in the corners and is hammered into the ground (or in our case, hammered through a hole we drilled through the former concrete basketball court).

When I came to Camelot many years ago these border materials came as part of the package that was to be used in the construction of our primary playground. The border materials were not used and everything was in storage taking up a huge amount of storage space when I came to the school. Dr. Andrew Taylor, our former principal, let me have the materials for the school garden.

It originally had been my plan to use railroad or landscape timbers. These things were much better - no splinters!. But I know the source for them. What I can share is that Gardening for Kids, a resource of the National Gardening Association has a number of items very similar in their catalog. If you go to the Kidsgardening.com website you will be directed to the site.

I have seen raised beds using plastic wading pools, tires, bushel vegetable baskets and assorted pots. Areas of my garden use pots a great deal. I even have plants growing in an old worn out wheelbarrow. If you have the money I would consider landscaping blocks, or even cement building blocks (which I would probably let the kids paint).

I would love for others to share ideas about what works for raised beds in other schools. How about sharing a comment?

PRISM Awards Banquet

Thursday evening 24 teachers from eight Central Florida counties were honored by PRISM (Promoting Regional Improvement in Science and Math). Brevard, Hillsborough, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia counties each selected three district winners. From the twenty four three regional winners were named.

The PRISM event took place at Sea World's Ports of Call and the dinner was great! The special guest for the evening was the amazing, Steve Spangler, who kept us all laughing and excited about the fun found in science. PRISM sponsors included business from across Central Florida and is a testament to the support given to science education in our region. As a participant in the evening want to extend my thanks to Dr. Jim Schott, President of the PRISM Project and Mr. Mike Miller, The PRISM Project Chair.

What a great event! Thank you.

The writing process

A quick look at the small break out group I am a part of as we work to create Florida's new World Class Standards for science. The process is frustrating, painful, tedious, exciting, and fulfilling and I believe we are making great progress. Look for more to come in the future.

State Science Benchmarks

I have spent today, and will be spending the rest of the week, working as a member of a state committee tasked with revising our state science benchmarks. The process brings together teachers and experts from all levels of education, as well as business representatives. Our task is to create new state science benchmarks that demonstrate World-Class Education Standards.

The committee met over the summer and has reviewed the standards of high performing countries and selected states in our country looking for the elements that have contributed to their success. Over this three day period we hope to complete science benchmarks which will support excellence in grades K-12. Quite the task! Everyone left today quite tired, but excited by the progress being made.

Of all of the things I will be participating in this year, I'm the most excited by the importance of this event. As an elementary science educator I will continue to express the concerns and needs expressed by many of you to me. I really believe that in the future we will be teaching fewer benchmarks and will have the time for more in depth explorations and problem solving experiences.

A very busy day

Hopefully I will have pictures to share soon. Tuesday morning was spent attending and giving the keynote address at the Florida Association for Staff Development in St. Petersburg. What a wonderful opportunity to listen to the wonderful training opportunities for teachers which are taking place across the state. DOE Bureau Chief, Kathy Hebda shared "the DOE Update" and I learned a great deal. I appreciated the opportunity to share with the group and enjoyed sharing my passion for problem solving and making real world connection in learning.

I then hit the road and drove back to Orlando. I got home, changed clothes and headed to the University of Central Florida. I was honored to be allowed to speak at the kickoff celebrating the 40th anniversary of the UCF College of Education. Thank you Dean Robinson for allowing me to be a part of my alma mater's celebration. It was great to see the growth and excellence displayed at UCF and reconnect with many professors who were my inspiration. I'm proud of the education I received at UCF and the friendships that have lasted throughout my professional career. I will be back on October 19th for the Reunion Celebration as friends of the College of Education gather to continue to celebrate the 40th Anniversary. GO KNIGHTS!

W.D. Hartley Elementary School

My Wednesday afternoon was spent with the the wonderful staff at W.D. Hartley in St. Augustine. First grade teacher, Darlene Conner, and I met at the District Teacher of the Year Roundtable and I was excited to be able to visit this high performing school that she had shared so much about. I love science and it was a pleasure to share a bit of my lab with the staff. Thanks to Principal Mary Seymour and her staff for making time for me to share some of my science toys. Hopefully I will be back up that way soon!

Flagler Palm Coast High School

Thursday morning I drove up to Palm Coast and enjoyed myself immensely. My good friend, Diane Tomko (on of this year's state TOY finalist!), allowed me to visit with her IB and gifted classes of Future Problem Solvers. Many of the students have won international competitions and showed me why they represent Flagler's best! I learned about an elementary school playground they built to help combat juvenile obesity, plans to create a Fair Market Store to support artisans and communities around the world, ideas for working with the elderly, at risk teenage mothers and an exploration into future of body sculpting. I toured their campus, stopped by a few classes, enjoyed the effort of their culinary academy and was serenaded by the chorus (many we will someday see on Broadway!). It was a great day and I want to thank the students and staff for letting me interrupt their day.
PS: If any high school wants ideas on the most fantastic cafe and cafeteria I've ever seen, get in contact with this school. The Bulldogs are FANTASTIC!!!

Latest update

Well I have spent the last two days trying to bring more to the blog. Donna Ritchie, of Orange County Public Schools created a couple of wonderful glimpses into my classroom and garden using film from an earlier district visit. Shelly Henriott, also from OCPS, gave each video a link in cyberspace and now I can share a few glimpses into my lab, students and garden. We also included a district news segment from some interviews. Look down the page and you will see the links.
Tomorrow I visit two schools in the north east part of the state: Flagler Palm Coast High School in Palm Coast and W.D. Hartley Elementary School in St. Augustine. Palm Coast is the home of Diane Tomko, Flagler County District Teacher of the Year and State TOY Finalist; and W.D. Hartley is home of Darlene Conner, St. Johns County District Teacher of the Year. I'm looking forward to learning a lot and bringing back some great pictures!

Council for Educational Change

Saturday I had the pleasure of attending the Wachovia Foundation Teachers and Teaching Initiative (TTI) . I was in Tampa with over 70 mentors, new teachers and project leaders from around the state who came together on a Saturday for discussion and training. This great event gives new teachers tools that they will take back to their classrooms tomorrow and use. Mentors receive great strategies for further supporting these new professionals and improve their own teaching. I learned so much, it was great! I want to thank Director Pete Bucholtz, Sisty Walsh, Ralph Hewitt, Dr. Billy Birnie and Sherry Clarke for allowing me to be a part of this great event.

A visit to the Panhandle Area Educational Consortium

I had the pleasure of taking a road trip from Tallahassee to Chipley (yes we visited the Central Time Zone!) . Joining me on this journey were K-12 Chancellor Cheri Yecke; Teacher Liaison, Nicole Flesvig; Office of Math and Science representative, Todd Clark; and Field Director, Kristina Abernathy. We met with the wonderful people of PAEC, the Panhandle Area Educational Consortium. Paula Waller and her fantastic staff made us feel at home as we taped a segment of Teacher Talk aired by the Florida Education Channel.

I'm celebrating!

Many have asked what do I do on days that I'm not out visiting. Lately you would find me glued to the computer completing the National TOY packet. And last night I completed it!!!! Now begins the editting stage as copies are being sent to various people for input. The packet consists of eight sections. Entries include everything from a biography sharing who I am; to my philosophy of teaching; to addressing trends in education and the topic of accountability. Now maybe I can get over my eyestrain and headache!
Today I'm on the road driving to Tallahassee with a quick stop at the University of Florida.

A look at Durrance Elementary

Michelle Thrift, science lab teacher at Durrance, plans with the first grade team. Science is a shared partnership at this Aviation/Aerospace Magnet Elementary.

A look at Orange Center Elementary

Fourth graders in Patrick Adam's science lab observe changes in an ice cube and make their predictions.

A look at Endeavor Elementary

The third grade students in Susan Botts' science lab share their predictions of an experiment through the creation of diagrams.

A look at Chickasaw Elementary

Third grade students share their knowledge of water cycles with us in Diane Johnson's science lab.

A look at Sunrise Elementary

Fourth grade students at work in Tricia LaChance's science lab at Sunrise Elementary.

Science Lab Visits

A wonderful day was spent visiting science labs throughout Orange County. Bev Cox, District Science Resource Teacher, took me for a whirlwind tour of five great labs. Thanks Bev! And a special thank you to the administration, teachers and students at Sunrise Elementary, Chickasaw Elementary, Endeavor Elementary, Orange Center Elementary and Durrance Elementary.

Fall Gardening in Florida

Fall gardening was the topic and our Camelot Garden was the site of the feature article appearing on the National Gardening Association website for kids: http://www.kidsgardening.com/Dig/digdetail.taf?Type=Art&id=2165

As a member of the advisory board I was asked to share our experiences gardening in the Sunshine State! If you have a garden you would like to share, or would like more information on registering your garden with the NGA send me an email. Happy gardening!

My Westminster Friends

Just three of the wonderful teachers who helped to make the Westminster Summer School a success.

And a special thank you to Melissa Bossert, Joe Trainor and Janelle Renda (I hope I didn't leave anyone out) and the staff at Westminster Towers for providing this unique elder learning opportunity.

I was moved by the excitement and dedication of everyone involved. This community gives, as well as receives. The wonderful people at Westminster Towers have partnered with Orange County's Grand Avenue Elementary School to provide school supplies, encouragement and support to children that desperately want to learn, but often have challenges that may discourage them. Their efforts should be a lesson to us all. Thanks to these wonderful people.

Life Long Learners

I was honored to spend Friday evening with the graduates of the Westminster Towers Summer School. This community of retired learners spent the summer taking classes in such diverse topics as finance through stock market basics, online banking, and checking; personal improvement in areas of etiquette, organizational strategies, and creative thinking; French, Spanish, and English classes were offeed; the arts were explored through ceramics, photography, scrapbooking, interior design, balloon art, lectures from the Orlando Museum of Art, and Chorus; physical exercise was encouraged with opportunities to swim, play water volleyball, table tennis and dance; such culinary delights as fried pickles nd panini sandwiches were created; and a diverse range of other learning opportunities including studies of marine biology, comparative religions, computer basics, creative writing and exploring the Wii phenomena. They truly epitomize the very definition of life long learners. It was exciting to share time with this wonderful group!