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The Iroquois believe corn, beans and squash are precious gifts from the Great Spirit, each watched over by one of three sisters spirits, called the De-o-ha-ko, or “Our Sustainers". The planting season is marked by ceremonies to honor them, and a festival commemorates the first harvest of “green” corn on the cob. By retelling the stories and performing annual rituals, Native Americans passed down the knowledge of growing, using and preserving the Three Sisters through generations. This crop knowledge and growing tradition, helped the Pilgrims survive their first very cold winter.
Credits: web site, web link
After a few short weeks we already see plants like squash, corn, beans, and radish popping up from the soil. (Radishes are the reliable, and fast sprouters). All this planting took time and volunteers. Thank you to all the classroom volunteers who came out to help. Karie and I really appreciate the parent and teacher support. Believe it or not we planted with every student grades preK-5th grade. The current 5 grade class holds the record for most consecutive years gardening at the Mine. Fantastic.
Multiage plants seeds, wonders what part of a plant they eat, and then plant their Red Ribbon Week messages about making good choices all year long.
First and second graders compare seeds, and talk about root vegetables, and learn that when they eat a pea - they are eating a seed. Neat!
Third graders compare seeds and check the seed packets for useful growing information. Some classes write observations in their garden journals when they returned to class.
Fourth graders listen to the story of the 3 sisters. Corn (center ring) Bean (middle ring) and Squash (the outer ring). They read important graphed information on the on the back of their seed packets.
With jobs like raising the lowering the flag, caring for the solar fountain in the courtyard, looking after red wigglers, and keeping an eye on the golden and red poppy seeds. The fifth graders are a busy bunch.
