KINDERGARTEN
Since the establishment of the outdoor courtyard, each year Hillcrest's Kindergarten class has been responsible for the planting of a pumpkin patch. All 140 plus students get a chance to plant a seed while learning about what seeds need to grow and how deep to plant. The students learn about the growth of a plant, from seed to harvest, then bring pumpkins into the classroom to decorate in fall and harvest the seeds for the planting the following spring. In addition to the science lessons involved, students incorporate what they have learned into a writing exercise.
Kindergarten students keep seasonal journals where they often write about observations and reflections of various activities. These activities often include nature walks through the school gardens, weather observation, and the inspection of and related science lessons about the ladybugs and fish raised in the Kindergarten classrooms.
Baugher's Farm - This annual field trip to a local farm allows students to learn more about the growth cycle of apples, agricultural methods, and the importance of pollinators. While touring the farm students have the opportunity to pick apples and watch as apples are processed into cider. Back at school students have taste tests of the different apple varieties and make growth cycle charts and dramatize the growth cycle of an apple.