Frankland Fun-Time: A look into our 8 weeks at Frankland Community School

By Ella Laforme and Kelsey Docherty

November 28, 2024

A program-lead looking at what the students found and harvested

Here at Green Thumbs Growing Kids, we had the amazing opportunity to be at Frankland Community School every Thursday for 8 weeks, from September 19th until November 7th 2024. 

The first two weeks at Frankland were used as a way for the students to get to know Green Thumbs staff, and for us to gather some ideas of what the students knew about the garden and what was planted previously. It’s best to learn from the pros, which in this case was the students!

This meant the students got to show us what they planted, use all 5 senses to explore the garden, and then talk about future plans for the garden! 

Students touching a baby cucumber

As the weeks went by and fall started to creep in, we decided to give the garden a small break and take the students around their play field to take a closer look at the beautiful trees they have growing there. 

Students gathering around a program-lead to learn about the Ginkgo tree

Together we took a closer look at some of the trees such as Ginkgos, Silver Maples, Red Pine, White Pine and Blue Spruce! The students learned about the history of the trees, if they had any edible or medicinal factors, and if there were any significance to Indigenous culture! 

The students had such a great time learning about the different trees, they beat us by teaching their friends that were in different classes! Soon enough the students had no problem identifying the trees they see and play with everyday! 

students taking blue spruce needles to smell and chew on

Soon enough before we knew it, it was our last day at Frankland. To celebrate the students learning so much in just 8 weeks and to have a bit of fun, we decided to rake up the leaves in their play field for everyone to jump in!

students listening to safety rules before jumping in the leaf pile

From kindergarten to grade 6, no one was too cool for our leaf pile! Everyone had a wonderful time on our last day. 

Kelsey Docherty writes:

My First Semester at Green Thumbs!

This week wraps up my first semester at Green Thumbs! I am a first-year placement student

coming from York University, and I feel as though I hit the jackpot by getting to come and

assist programs every Thursday. I was immediately interested in the opportunity to work with

students in the outdoors, and teach them about nature, gardening, wildlife, and nutrition. As

a nature-loving teacher candidate, I couldn’t have gotten blessed with a better placement.

We have just completed 8 weeks at Frankland Community School, and I have met so many

wonderful teachers and students. I had so much fun working those jam-packed days of 6

back-to-back programs, led by our program leader, Ella, and assisted by myself and

Hannah, another placement student from York. Ella has been a great role model, as she is

extremely knowledgeable and great with the kids - funny and sweet, but firm when needed. I

love her style of teaching. My favourite days at Frankland were those where we could get

really hands-on. I had the opportunity to co-lead a garlic planting program, which was

definitely a highlight. The kids had so much fun picking a garlic clove to plant and getting

their fingers in the dirt.

Thanks to the parent and teacher organizers, and the garden managers prior to our engagement!