Four Peaks Elementary - Third Grade

Basic Information

Grade Level: K-5
Address: Four Peaks Elementary School 17300 E. Calaveras Avenue Fountain Hills, Arizona 48568
Person of Contact: Kathleen Calhoun
Phone Number: 480-664-5100

Action Shots

Four Peaks Elementary - Third Grade
Four Peaks Elementary - Third Grade

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Additional Information

Student Size: 500+
Student/Teacher Ratio: 24:1
Number of Teachers: 6 in Third Grade
Hours/Week: 2
Funding: Grants
Gardens (Sq. Feet): 500 sq. feet
Program Highlights:

Each of seven third grade classrooms have a plot of land. Each classroom planted whatever they decided to plant and then watered, weeded, and watched the plants grow.

Mission Statement:

Growing plants is exciting. Who can believe that from a tiny seed, a 10 foot sunfower can grow? Wow!

Program History:

This is the third year Four Peaks has had a Third Grade Garden. We keep track of what we plant with photographs in the hallway. We see how it was and what is happening with our plants monthly. The local organization, Golden Eagle Foundation, has funded the cost of seeds, tools, and refurbishing our watering system each year. We appreciate them so much.

Volunteer Participation: Golden Eagle Foundation has funded this project each year. Some parents have helped with soil preparation. The Starbuck's has given used coffee beans for compost. The students have contributed a lot of work.
Program Information:

Third Grade at Four Peaks studies plants and light.  The classes use thier information to plan their garden plot.  This year we planted lettuce, carrots, sweet potatoes, white potatoes, strawberries, tomatoes, radishes and chili peppers.  Some flowers were planted, including giant sunflowers, multicolored sunflowers, and regular sunflowers.  We also had marigolds.  We did have trouble this year with javelinas.  They are a nocturnal desert animal which likes to root out food.  They ate the lettuce, potatoes and many of the carrots.  We did have good luck with the sunflowers.  Some were 10 feet tall.  The students enjoyed learning about planting, watching things, grow, watering, and suffering the loss of animals eating the plants.  Next year, a neighborhood group is supplying sturdy fencing for our garden.