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Black Bean Salad with 4th and 5th grade 1/29 and 1/30

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Black Bean Salad with 4th and 5th grade 1/29 and 1/30

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This week fourth and fifth graders learned how to make black bean salad with Mrs.Aifra a plant based chef!

Black bean salad is made with protein packed and fiber rich black beans. Mrs.Aifra told everyone that black beans are a part of the legume family and eating them makes us feel strong. Legumes are found in recipes from all around the world! With the help of our volunteer and educators Mrs.Elena, Teacher Dante and Teacher Rune students worked as a team to measure, cut, squeeze and combine ingredients for black bean salad.

The IB learning objective for January is healthy snacks.Today second graders tasted legumes a perfect ingredient for snacking. What a yummy experience!

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B.S. Geosciences, Hobart and William Smith Colleges

B.A. Studio Art, Hobart, and William Smith Colleges

Certificate of Climate Education, University of Antioch New England

Howdy, my name is Emma :)

I'm from a small town in Minnesota, Moorhead, where I was

surrounded by prairie and farmland. I grew up learning to garden from my Mom and how to create works of Art from my Dad. From day one my parents inspired and supported my passions.

After High School, I moved to Geneva New York for college where I studied art and geosciences. After college, I returned to Minnesota to study environmental education at the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center on the north shore of Lake Superior.

I moved to New York City inspired to learn more about urban green spaces. I am thrilled to be allowed to be a part of the Beazer's Garden workshop team where I can inspire youth and learn more about gardening in this beautiful city!

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We are now in room #328 and the Rooftop Garden!

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Dante is a passionate and open-hearted young man whose interests in gardening go back to his roots when he lived in his grandparent’s house with his mother during childhood.

He would watch his grandfather gardening and help with the upkeep of various plants, and with time, they enjoyed the vegetables of their labor. His grandmother would use their produce to accent delicious meals that they’d enjoy as a family.

Witnessing this direct transfer from farm to table inspired Dante and fueled his interest to find ways he could farm and provide for the people and community around him.

Dante looks forward to serving and becoming a part of the community of Beazer’s Garden Workshop and the students who bring excitement and curiosity into the space.

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B.S. Geosciences, Hobart and William Smith Colleges

B.A. Studio Art, Hobart, and William Smith Colleges

Certificate of Climate Education, University of Antioch New England

Howdy, my name is Emma :)

I'm from a small town in Minnesota, Moorhead, where I was

surrounded by prairie and farmland. I grew up learning to garden from my Mom and how to create works of Art from my Dad. From day one my parents inspired and supported my passions.

After High School, I moved to Geneva New York for college where I studied art and geosciences. After college, I returned to Minnesota to study environmental education at the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center on the north shore of Lake Superior.

I moved to New York City inspired to learn more about urban green spaces. I am thrilled to be allowed to be a part of the Beazer's Garden workshop team where I can inspire youth and learn more about gardening in this beautiful city!

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Hi, my name is Ammy (she/her/ella), and I’m 24 years old. I’m currently studying Environmental Studies at Hunter College, with a special interest in environmental outdoor education. 🌿

I’m passionate about teaching and have a strong background in environmental science and a love for gardening. Bilingual in Spanish and English, I’m skilled at making learning accessible to all students, no matter the language. With two years of experience working in an elementary school garden, I teach students valuable skills like teamwork, plant care, and environmental stewardship. 🌱

I’ve also worked with city kids, guiding them on backpacking and canoeing trips to help them build connections with both urban ecosystems and the natural world. 🌳🚣‍♀️ I love fostering curiosity and responsibility in young learners by creating engaging, hands-on lessons that connect them with nature, help them understand the world around them, and encourage sustainability.

Currently nearing completion of my bachelor's degree in environmental science, I’m excited to continue nurturing a love for the environment in students. Outside the classroom, I enjoy incorporating creativity into lessons, whether through gardening, cooking, or other interactive activities. Let’s explore, learn, and grow together! 🌱✨

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Fourth Grade Overview Lesson Matrix 25-26

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Fourth Grade Overview Lesson Matrix 25-26

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ES Garden Content Connections for IB, Science, and Social Studies.

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Fourth Grade Overview Lesson Matrix 25-26

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Ms. Sherri has been thrilled to work with the PS84 Environmental Science Education Team since 2019.

She currently teaches ES in K, 1st, and 4th grade, and is the ES team liaison coordinator.

She became a Certified Garden Educator in 2021 from Life Lab Science Programs.

Before teaching at PS84, she had been volunteering with the Garden Program since 2009, advocating for the Roof Garden renovation since 2012.

She loves all things science, encourages inquiring minds, and her favorite question to help answer is: “Why?”

She believes the best way to learn is to use your hands, embrace “mistakes”, and figure it out~ surrounded by encouragement and community.

She holds a BFA from Pratt Institute, was trained in couture and costuming, and worked as a design director for 20 years in the fashion industry, creating solutions between designers and corporations.

Her favorite sports are volleyball, soccer, and waterskiing, and she loves to sew, write poetry, and solve mysteries, especially in math!

Both sets of her grandparents were farmers, and she is happy to take this heritage to the rooftop garden in New York City, connecting students to soil, vegetables, and healthy eating.

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B.S. Geosciences, Hobart and William Smith Colleges

B.A. Studio Art, Hobart, and William Smith Colleges

Certificate of Climate Education, University of Antioch New England

Howdy, my name is Emma :)

I'm from a small town in Minnesota, Moorhead, where I was

surrounded by prairie and farmland. I grew up learning to garden from my Mom and how to create works of Art from my Dad. From day one my parents inspired and supported my passions.

After High School, I moved to Geneva New York for college where I studied art and geosciences. After college, I returned to Minnesota to study environmental education at the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center on the north shore of Lake Superior.

I moved to New York City inspired to learn more about urban green spaces. I am thrilled to be allowed to be a part of the Beazer's Garden workshop team where I can inspire youth and learn more about gardening in this beautiful city!

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Dec 6 marks the second to last garden class of the fall semester 🥲 December 20th, next garden class, is the last class until March for 5th grade Lions! All semester students have been building up to the long awaited game of Jeopardy!

December 6 was all about reviewing Fall content in preparation. Students will have to answer questions related to food origins, personal food history, consumers, producers, decomposers, healthy soil = healthy people, garlic bulbs and the water cycle. Whew thats quite the list! Students showed spirit and that they are ready for Jeopardy!💡📚🌳

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Fifth Grade Overview Lesson Matrix 25-26

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Fifth Grade Overview Lesson Matrix 25-26

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Fifth Grade Overview Lesson Matrix 25-26

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ES Garden Content Connections for IB, Science, and Social Studies.

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Fifth Grade Overview Lesson Matrix 24-25

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Though the garden has been put to bed for the Winter, there is lots still growing in the garden!

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A beautifully diverse array of plants are grown in the garden!

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Making the seasonal garden plan is one of Ms. B's favorite activities. Check out what was growing.

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Today students built water cycle models visualizing how water flows through our world! 🌎💧 They built closed system terrariums out of recycled plastic bottles, layers of rocks, pebbles, sand, dirt, a spider plant, and of course water! The only thing this model does not include is Sunlight ✨☀️🌈 So, to watch the magic and take care of the terrarium find a sunny spot 💫🌱 If the leaves on your students terrarium start to brown see if you need to add more water by untwisting the cap!

Ask your student about what stage in of the water cycle is happening in their terrarium!

If you want to replicate this at home follow this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaJf2UrKe9A

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11/13- inheritance and traits- p1 + p2= offspring

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11/13- inheritance and traits- p1 + p2= offspring

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In this class, students continued their journey learning about inheritance and traits 🔬🌱 Today they learned how things inherit characteristic traits by playing a game where they drew an offspring flower from two parent flowers with different traits 🌼🌸

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In this class, students got to dive deeper into their previous lesson with an exciting review! 🌱📖 They revisited the concept of inherited vs. acquired traits, observing plants that scientists have modified. 🌿🔬 Out in the garden, they explored the differences between heirloom and hybrid plants, discovering how each type passes on unique characteristics. 🌼🌿

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In class, students learned about the "John Muir Web" which consists of both living (biotic; animals, plants) and non-living (abiotic; habitats, weather conditions) factors.

In our table activities, students were given the initiative to create their own John Muir Webs with provided resources in order to imitate living habitats. Through this we learned and demonstrated the interconnected aspect of nature and the world around us! 🌎🕸️🐇🐺

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In one of everyone's favorite lessons, we learned about bulbs and why they're planted in the fall—so we can enjoy a burst of flowers in the spring! 🌷 Fourth graders planted some North American native plants, including alliums. Native Americans harvested these plants for both their edible bulbs and leaves, and the “nodding onion” was even used to help treat fevers and colds! 🌱 We also learned about John Muir, a dedicated naturalist who studied the interconnected cycles of nature, inspiring a deeper respect for the environment. 🌍

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10/17 Viewing myself through the eyes of a Lenape child

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10/17 Viewing myself through the eyes of a Lenape child

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Fourth grade began their lesson with the stories of the Corn Husk Doll and the Dream Catcher. Students chose which one they wanted to create and learned about the symbolism behind each: why the corn husk doll has no face and how the dream catcher catches and filters dreams. 🌾🕸️ They also practiced tying knots as part of their crafting skills, bringing these traditions to life in a hands-on, meaningful way!

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10/03 Native American customs: Talking sticks

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10/03 Native American customs: Talking sticks

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Today, we delved into the origins of talking sticks and began with a discussion on the importance of listening, equal voice, and respectful turn-taking in conversation. 🎙️ Afterward, students crafted their own talking sticks, embracing the values they represent to take home and use thoughtfully. One memorable reflection from a student was, "Something sacred is like the art in a museum"—a powerful connection to the value of respect for what is meaningful and revered. 🪶

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During this session, fourth graders explored what it means to be "native" and learned how each Native nation identifies itself uniquely. They reflected on values they consider important and the symbols they use to communicate these ideas. To express their values, students created beaded bracelets and necklaces, carefully choosing colors to represent what matters most to them. This hands-on activity allowed them to connect symbols and values in a creative and personal way! 🌍🪶

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The fourth graders had an exciting journey back in time to explore “Manahatta”! They learned about the Lenape people, and their deep connection to nature. 🌍 Students discussed the importance of biodiversity—why diversity in plants, animals, and people helps sustain our world. They also explored the “Three Sisters” (corn, beans, and squash) and how the diversity of these plants supports each other’s growth. 🌽🌱 In the garden, students observed examples of Lenape food and clothing and even spotted a bee busy delivering pollen🐝

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The 4th grade classes have kicked off with a fascinating topic—focusing on how everything around us, from people to our environment, shapes who we are! 🌍✨ They took a deep dive into the idea that the people around us help influence our lives in so many ways. 💭

The highlight was their visit to the garden, where they explored not just its beauty but also how they want to feel when they're in it. 🌿🌸 The students had thoughtful discussions on what could be done to make the garden reflect their emotions and ideas.

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10/25- Inheritance & Traits- Apple Taste test

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10/25- Inheritance & Traits- Apple Taste test

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It’s everyone’s favorite class—Apple Tasting! 🍎🍏 This ties perfectly into our lesson on inheritance and traits because, just like the squash we studied, each apple has its own distinct taste, color, and texture, which makes them unique. Our 3rd graders had the chance to taste three different kinds of apples and used this experience to describe the apples’ textures and flavors! 🍎✨

Ask your student what their favorite apple was and how they would describe its traits! It’s a fun and tasty way to connect what we’re learning about traits and inheritance to something familiar! 🧬🍏

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The 3rd graders have taken a fun dive into learning about inheritances and traits! 🧬👀 This will lead to an exciting week ahead as they explore the difference between the two concepts. We used different types of squash to observe how they’re all related, but each one has unique traits that set them apart! 🎃🌱 It’s been a great way to visualize how inheritance works!

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Third Grade Overview Lesson Matrix 25-26

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Third Grade Overview Lesson Matrix 25-26

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Our ES Garden Content Connections for IB, Science, and Social Studies.

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Third Grade Overview Lesson Matrix 25-26

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The science that studies living things (the biota), the environment, and their inter actions.  The study of ecosystems.

Ecosystems describe the web or network of relations among organisms (living things) at different levels of nature.

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As we talk about geography and maps, communities and biomes, we look at the Muir Web, a concept built around John Muir - farmer, inventor, sheepherder, naturalist, explorer, writer, and conservationist - who found that almost all living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) components of nature are interdependent and form a complex and beautiful web of inter connectivity.

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In our second class, we took an exciting trip around the world to explore where our food comes from! 🌍 We enjoyed a fun food origin scavenger hunt around our garden, uncovering fascinating facts about different plants. 🌿🕵️‍♂️ We took notes on our personal connections, noting if our families have used the plants and if we’ve seen them before. We also learned how people connect and share knowledge through cultural foods! 🍽️🤝

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Third graders have had an exciting start to the year in the garden! 🌱 In our first class back, we explored the concept of "sense of space," emphasizing everyone’s rights and responsibilities in creating a positive learning community. We also had the opportunity to choose three plants to observe and taste, applying the ABCs of scientific illustration in our activities. 🍅🌿🎨

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See where some of our food comes from.

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Wednesdays- 3rd grade- Inheritance & Traits- Apple Taste Test- P1 + P2= Offspring

Thursdays- 4th grade- Native American Heritage Crafts: Ethnobotany, Symbology, Values, Talking Sticks & Beading

Fridays- 5th grade- The Earth System- Modeling Matter- Terrarium Build

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An overview of the PTA-funded Environmental Science Garden Program.

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We can observe the whole world from our gardens!

"An ecosystem is a community of living organisms in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment, interacting as a system. These biotic and abiotic components are linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows." (Google Definitions)

PreK-K-1-2 Padlet

3-5th grade Padlet

Afterschool Padlet

Garden Volunteer Padlet

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Every student keeps a Garden/Field Journal.

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8 Science & Engineering Practices in The Garden

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8 Science & Engineering Practices in The Garden

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We keep notes in our garden ecology journal, so we can remember all the fun stuff we do in class.

Students add drawings, vocabulary, and thoughts about interesting things they observe.

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All the who, how, what, when, and where's in nature,

Informational Signage to spark discussion

Solve this problem Investigation Centers (pests, soil)

Connections to Nature of Science:

Scientific Investigations use a Variety of Methods

Scientists use different ways to study the world.

(P-PS2-1),(P-PS4-1)

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The Garden has 3 classroom areas for you to share.

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The Garden has 3 classroom areas for you to share.

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We are happy to see so many of you using the gardens with your students, meeting with your colleagues, and for some time in the sun! Please sign up here to reserve your space.

The garden is divided into three Zones. Each area has seats, shade, and access to whiteboards, maps, magnifying glasses, rulers, a vocabulary wall, and other classroom learning tools.

There are 17 numbered rectangle planters as our main growing spaces, 8 large round planters with popular plant staples, and a flower border edges around the perimeter of the garden bringing pollinators who help us grow organic veggies year round.

Zone 1: The Covered Classroom, beds #1-9, and north glass wall planters, rain barrels, and watering cans.

Zone 2: The Council Ring Area w/benches, display plantings, kiwi plants, beds #10-13, our large rounds, and blueberries.

Zone 3: The Herb Walkway, Tipi Reading Corner, The Fruit Tree Orchard, Monarch & Pollinator Habitats.

In our North Greenhouse Room, you will find garden tools, classroom supplies, thematic books, worksheets, and artifacts to explore.

There are also first aid kits and hand sanitizers on both sides of the garden.

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Eco Column Terrarium Build

Erosion Table (Earths Features, Modeling Earth)

Grab & Grow planting activity (plant needs, )

Green Roofs (Modeling Earth/ecosystems)

Compare models to identify common features and differences. (P-LS3-1)

Develop a simple model based on evidence to represent a proposed object or tool. (P-LS3-1)

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Please Do Not Harvest without Permission. 

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Please Do Not Harvest without Permission. 

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All Students will get to harvest during their classes.

Teachers, please ask for permission before harvesting from the garden as food is used during classes.

look for the HARVEST TABLE or signs for fruits and veggies you can take.

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Water in the Home- Grab & Grow worksheets, water in jar observation

What is Soil? Observation station

Plant Needs - Plant info signs in garden and here on padlet

Grab & Grow Seed Kit- compare the 3 seeds, will they need the same things?

With guidance, plan and conduct an investigation in collaboration with peers. (P-LS1-2)

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Water In the Garden (how much water do plants need?)

How much water can a greenroof hold?

Water in Our Home Worksheet

Record information (observations, thoughts, and ideas).(P-PS1-1)
Analyze data from tests of an object or tool to determine if it works as intended. (P-PS2-1)

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Sq. Ft. Garden

Measure Volume

Measure Dimensions

How many ____ are there?

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6. Construct Explanations & Design Solutions

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6. Construct Explanations & Design Solutions

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Inheritance & Traits, P1+P2= Activity

Problem solve worksheets

Why question sheets

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Problem Pests & Plants

Beneficial Pests & Plants

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8. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

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8. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

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Art & Poetry Slam

Worksheets

Scavenger hunts

Garden Info signage

Vocabulary wall

Flipgrid/ Flip Book content

Communicate solutions with others in oral and/or written forms using models and/or drawings that provide detail about scientific ideas. (P-LS1-1)

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The garden is the ideal location to see the learning standards in action.

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NGSS Performance Expectations in the Garden K-8_Life Lab

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There are many things to see and explore in our garden. Each section and plant groups of the garden is labeled to help connect to lessons or discussion.

Students can learn:

the names of plants and the varieties we have growing,

the difference between edible and ornamental plants,

plants that invite touch and smell,

plants that benefit pollinators and aerial wildlife,

the characteristics of our plants and their needs.

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4th grade Native American Heritage Unit Resources 

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We have a large library of natural items and are here to support you with inquiry projects, books, etc.

Also, please feel free to use the garden spaces as a resource, bring your class out for reading or scientific observations, relax, and take your lunch break or gather for teacher meetings.

In the South Greenhouse, we have bins with pencils, markers, rulers, magnifying glasses, binoculars, clipboards, and other items to make your time in the garden educationally productive.

You can use the artifacts and lending library in the North Greenhouse and room 318, where you can borrow books and materials such as planting tools, seeds, soil, watering cans, insect viewers, harvest bags, plant and insect ID cards and games, etc.

Please return promptly to us once you are done, so materials are available to all. Task a team of students the responsibility of returning these shared resources.

Please let us know if there are other items you may want to use in the garden.

There are also first aid kits, hand sanitizers and tissue paper available in the greenhouses.

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Kimberly Beazer, aka Ms. B, has been an eco-program manager and educator for over 27 years.

She started teaching the Pre-K-5th grade Environmental Science Garden program at PS 84 in 2017 and currently teaches 2nd and 3rd grades.

Ms. B guides the ES garden education team in curriculum planning for all grades, plans the year-round rooftop garden planting, and trains parent volunteers to help care for the garden.

Has an MS in Childhood Education, an MPA in Nonprofit Management, and a BA in Journalism/Media.

Loves road trips, hiking, museums, laying under trees, and flying kites.

Her favorite words are hope, respect, biodiversity, and interdependence.

Believes every child and every school should have environmental science education to develop an understanding of our interdependent connection with the planet.

Founded her business, Beazer's Garden Workshops as a way to help schools implement sustainable UEE programs for their students in day school and afterschool programming.

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Hummus with 2nd and 3rd grade 1/27 and 1/28

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Hummus with 2nd and 3rd grade 1/27 and 1/28

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This week Second and Third graders learned how to make hummus with Mrs.Aifra a plant based chef!

Hummus is made with protein packed and fiber rich chickpeas. Mrs.Aifra told everyone that chickpeas are a part of the legume family and eating them makes us feel strong. With the help of our volunteer and educators Mrs.Elena, Teacher Dante and Teacher Rune students worked as a team to measure, cut, squeeze and combine ingredients for hummus.

The IB learning objective for January is healthy snacks.Today second graders tasted legumes a perfect ingredient for snacking. What a yummy experience!