Construction of the Latimer Garden & Outdoor Classroom has begun!
Background
Latimer is a STEAM-focused K-8 school that uses Project Based Learning (PBL) as a key instruction method. We teach Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards through in-depth project study and exploration, helping students learn in an engaging, integrated manner. A new garden and outdoor classroom space will enhance hands-on, PBL instruction at our school.
A garden planning committee spent the past year researching school gardens and considering uses, curriculum, funding and maintenance for a garden at Latimer. We’re planning a large outdoor space with 13 raised beds: nine to support PBL instruction across nine grade levels, two for our Special Day Classes, one for our Extended Day Program, and one for a soon-to-be-established Student Garden Club.
Plant and pollinator life cycles; health and nutrition; soil chemistry and biodegradation; ecosystems and adaptations; perimeter, area and arrays; collecting and analyzing data are just a few of the concepts that our “living classroom” will help to convey.
Click here for a Latimer Garden presentation from November 2019.
Get Involved!
We’re building a team of volunteers to assist with garden construction and maintenance.
If you’re interesting in installing drip irrigation, assembling garden beds, spreading wood chips, planting, weeding, or helping with other garden-related activities, please contact Amy Cody at amycody@gmail.com.
Site Plan
Location
School Garden Donors & Partners
A big THANK YOU to the many organizations & individuals providing monetary or other support for the Latimer Garden & Outdoor Classroom:
— Big Creek Lumber
— California Fertilizer Foundation
— Latimer Home & School Club
— Life Lab
— Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County
— Moreland Community Garden
— Moreland Education Foundation
— Moreland School District
— Office of San Jose VIce Mayor Chappie Jones
— Oster Elementary School Garden
— Raphdesign.com
— Saratoga Elementary School Garden