Growing Together: Our Kindergarten Cycle Project

By Lauren Edward, Kindergarten Teacher

As I watch my kindergartners excitedly check on our worm farm, their faces lighting up as they discover new growth in our garden beds, I'm reminded of why I started this project in the first place. I believe it's really important for everybody to understand that we can help our world, no matter how big or small we are, and no matter how big or small what we're doing is to help.

Getting Started: Simpler Than You Might Think

When I tell other teachers about our year-long environmental project, I often hear, "That sounds like a lot of work!" But here's the secret: the kids love it, so it's not a lot of work for you. It starts with one simple conversation.

"Hey, you know you don't have to put that banana peel in the trash can. You can put it in here, and the worms will turn it into dirt." Tell this to one enthusiastic child, and they'll spread the excitement to everyone else. That's exactly how our project began.

The most important thing is to just do it. Be in the dirt. Start with what you have. We save our food scraps for the worms, who turn them into soil for our garden. We collect seeds from the fruits and vegetables we eat. We use recycled materials like empty milk cartons from the cafeteria for seedling planters, and repurpose wood found around the school property for our raised beds.

A Year of Cycles

Our project spans the entire school year in a beautiful cycle:

• Fall: Collecting seeds, starting our worm farm for composting

• Winter: Weekly worm feeding, planning our spring garden

• Spring: Building garden beds, planting seedlings

• Summer/Fall: Harvesting, cooking, and sharing food with the school community

  
  

While it represents about 20% of our curriculum time, it connects to so many required standards through the cycle of composting, seed collecting, planting, gardening, and sharing. We've integrated science units on plant and animal needs, and built skills around team building and civic responsibility.

The Surprising Impact

What has surprised me most is the level of responsibility these five-year-olds have developed. They check the seedlings first: "Do we need to spray them with more water?" I don't have problems with kids squirting each other with their water bottles because they understand how important it is for the seedlings to have that water.

They're more aware of how we can use things rather than just throwing them away. "Should we save this yogurt cup? Could we use that for something else?" they'll ask. When the principal tried to throw orange peels in the trash, one student quickly corrected, "No, the worms can use that!"

The academic benefits have been remarkable too. Children are motivated to write about what's happening with their seedlings. Their observation skills have sharpened—they notice details about the natural world that not all five-year-olds see, from the maple tree budding outside our window to the subtle changes in our garden.

A Community Effort

You don't have to do this alone. I found that once you start, there are many people in your community who want to help. A couple of volunteers have shared their expertise, and teachers from other grades have become interested too. It's contagious!

Our kindergartners have built strong relationships not just with the plants and natural world, but with these community helpers who share their knowledge.

Student Voice and Choice

What makes this project truly special is how much ownership the children take. They choose what we plant. They decide how they want to help. It was their idea to make applesauce and share it with the cafeteria so everyone in the school could enjoy it.

When I announce it's time for the worm farm or garden work, they literally jump up and down with excitement. Their love for school continues to grow alongside our plants.

Getting Funding

The financial aspect is important to mention. While you can start small, having resources helps tremendously. Our project costs about $1,000 for the year, which would be substantial out of a teacher's pocket but is quite reasonable for a grant. Look for environmental education grants in your area—many organizations are eager to support this kind of learning.

Start Your Own Cycle

If you're considering a similar project, my advice is simple: start small, but start now. Plant a seed—both literally with your students and figuratively in your curriculum. You'll be amazed at how quickly it grows and how deeply it takes root in your classroom culture.

The joy of watching kindergartners develop a relationship with food, with growing things, and with the earth itself is worth every minute. The lessons they learn about cycles, responsibility, and making a difference will stay with them far longer than many traditional learning experiences.

And when you see a five-year-old carefully tending to seedlings with the responsibility you'd expect from a much older child, you'll know that this project is truly special.

Lauren Edward, Kindergarten Teacher

Cornish Elementary, NH

Click to watch a video to hear Lauren and her students share project highlights.