Alice's Garden

Research shows that student participation in an outdoor classroom has many potential positive effects on student learning:

· Gardening as a component of environmental education can improve performance in math, science, writing, social studies, and overall attitudes toward learning

· Gardening improves student knowledge about and attitudes toward eating vegetables, increasing consumption of these foods, improving nutritional awareness and practices

· Caring for an ecosystem instills a strong environmental stewardship ethic

· Garden-based learning produces life skills such as teamwork, volunteerism, self-understanding, leadership, decision-making ability, and communication skills

Vision Statement

The Armstrong Elementary Garden will focus on raising edible crops, for students to learn about food production and nutrition. The garden will connect to the curriculum through life science studies, with additional opportunities including measurement lessons in math and numerous writing experiences. Planting and maintaining a garden will build community, collaboration, responsibility, and school pride.

Thank you to the following donors whose generous contributions will make this outdoor classroom a place of learning and discovery for the students.

An Anonymous Donor
Armstrong PTA Cafeteria Fund
Morgan and Parker Frame
Reed Graff
Todd and Valerie Istre
The Kath Family
Lawns of Dallas

Special thanks to the following individuals whose efforts have made this project possible.

Armstrong PTA Garden Committee Chair Caroline Trotman
Dallas County Master Gardeners Jana Beth Eidson and Georgia Rayna
Texas A&M AgraLife Extension Service Officers Tamra McGaughy and Jeff Raska

Dedicated August 2014