Posted at: 09/19/2012 5:38 PM
By: Brianna Long

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Rochester School Uses a Garden as a Teaching Tool

(ABC 6 NEWS) -- New technology has always made its way into schools; computers, smart boards, and iPads. But some schools are going old school by getting down and dirty with nature.

"We grew some pumpkins, we grew some mini pumpkins, we grew some squash, some button squash and zucchinis, lots of beans, and tomatoes," said 7th grade student Maria Jankowski.     

It's not your typical classroom setting; gardens full of vegetables and chickens laying eggs. However, at Rochester Montessori School, its all a part of the curriculum.

"This is our circle of life garden and it's a great opportunity to get the kids outside, working with the land, raising their own vegetables," said math and science teacher Greg Anderson.

The garden was started in the spring, and now the kids are experiencing their first harvest.

"I think it's really exciting that we get to pick the vegetables and then sometimes we get to eat them and I think it's really cool that we have those gardens out there," said student Roxy McKinley.

Teachers say it allows kids to put down the iPads, walk away from the computers, and just experience the basics.

"This is a great opportunity to get them outside, actually working with the land, able to see how we can plant seeds in the spring and have them end up being crops we can harvest in the fall," said Anderson.

"We learned what worked and what didn't, how much water to give the plants," added student Maya Khanna.

"It's nice to have the fresh air and its nice to just experience the world outside, cuz some kids are just stuck in their classroom all day," said McKinley.

The vegetables the students harvested this week, are actually going to be used this weekend at the school's 45th anniversary party. The chef at 4-Daughter's Winery will incorporate them into the menu for the event.