The garden courtyard is springing to life at Greenbelt Elementary School as students learn about the life cycle of a plant. This past week third graders, under the direction of local artist Sarah Garcia, have been observing and planting peas in raised beds. Armed with artist pencils and journals, the students have been sketching their peas every few days, since they were planted two weeks before in the
classroom. Some plants were started in zip-lock bags and taped to the window so students could observe the growth of the roots.
Others were planted in dirt in plastic cups. Now that the plants are outside, the students will care for and observe the peas until the
end of school. This project was funded by an ACE grant and The Family Art Fund, a partnership between the PTA and the local nonprofit, Greenbelt Association for the Visual Arts.
GES Third Graders Plant, Observe and Sketch Peas
Nalani Minor records her observations in her art journal.