News from Kitchen Garden

WEEK 4 | TERM 3

STUDENTS OF THE WEEK

Mel

Ms Laura 

Prep 

This term in Kitchen Garden, Prep students will discover how plants grow and learn where healthy food comes from through hands-on gardening and cooking experiences.

Through engaging activities, students will develop an understanding of plant life cycles, healthy eating, sustainability and the importance of working together to care for our garden.

Specific Skills:

• Explore how seeds grow into plants 
• Care for seeds while learning about germination and what plants need to survive
• Discover the important role of roots and learn how they help plants absorb water and nutrients
• Identify and sort a variety of fruits and vegetables 
• Recognise healthy foods and where they grow
• Learn about the four seasons and how different fruits and vegetables grow best at different times of the year
• Help care for our school garden by planting, watering, weeding and harvesting produce
• Prepare simple recipes, including fruit salad and garden salad, while practising safe food preparation and teamwork

Grade One 

This term in Kitchen Garden, Grade 1 students will explore how plants grow and learn the skills needed to care for a thriving garden while building their cooking knowledge and ability to understand and follow simple recipes. 

Throughout the term, students will develop confidence in caring for plants, working safely in the kitchen, and understanding where fresh food comes from through engaging, hands-on learning experiences.

In the Kitchen, students will:

• Learn about recipes as a type of procedural text 
• Identify key features of a recipe, such as ingredients, equipment and method
• Locate important information in recipes, including measurements, cooking times and equipment needed
• Build their cooking vocabulary by learning and practising common recipe verbs.
• Practise following recipes in the correct sequence
• In the Garden, students will:
• Investigate how seeds germinate and discover what plants need to grow
• Learn about the important role roots play in helping plants absorb water, stay anchored and grow
• Explore how the seasons and different weather conditions affect plant growth
• Identify changes they observe in the garden throughout the term
• Participate in hands-on gardening tasks such as planting seeds, weeding, maintaining garden beds and caring for the school garden.
• Grade Two
• This term, Grade 2 students will continue to develop their gardening and cooking skills while exploring where food comes from and learning how to measure ingredients accurately in the kitchen.
• Throughout the term, students will build confidence in the kitchen and garden while developing an appreciation for fresh, seasonal food and the journey from garden to plate.
• Specific Skills:
• Identify different types of seeds and discover how seeds are used for planting, cooking and eating
• Explore edible root vegetables
• Care for the school garden by watering, weeding, harvesting and identifying helpful insects, pests and weeds
• Learn natural ways to protect plants and understand how seasonal changes affect plant growth
• Develop measurement skills by using measuring cups, spoons, jugs and scales accurately when following recipes
• Compare the capacity of different measuring tools
• Prepare healthy recipes while practising teamwork, food preparation and kitchen safety.
• Grade Three
• This term, Grade 3 students will continue to develop their gardening and cooking skills while learning about plants, food production and Australia's rich food history.
• Throughout the term, students will strengthen their observation, teamwork and problem-solving skills while gaining a deeper appreciation of where food comes from and the importance of caring for our environment.
• Specific Skills: 
• Investigate how seeds germinate and discover the conditions plants need to grow
• Explore the different parts of plants, including roots and leaves, and learn how they help plants survive
• Harvest seasonal produce safely
• Identify when fruit, vegetables and herbs are ready to pick
• Discover the history of bread, including the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples played in making bread from native grass seeds
• Learn about traditional Indigenous foods, spices and food preparation methods
• Develop practical gardening skills through planting, weeding, caring for garden beds and harvesting produce.
• Build confidence in the kitchen by making a variety of breads, including wattle seed flatbread, saltbush damper and lemon myrtle scones.
• Grade Four
• This term, Grade 4 students will build their understanding of plants, food production and sustainability while developing practical gardening and cooking skills.
• Throughout the term, students will strengthen their thinking, observation skills, teamwork and confidence in the kitchen while developing a deeper appreciation of sustainable food production and Australia's rich Indigenous food traditions.
• Specific Skills:
• Investigate how seeds travel and discover the different ways plants spread
• Explore plant root systems and learn how roots anchor plants, absorb water and nutrients, and store food
• Discover how weather and climate influence gardening by measuring rainfall and temperature
• Explore the best conditions for growing food
• Learn about seasonal planting and how gardeners use weather observations to care for plants
• Explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge of native food plants, seasonal calendars and Caring for Country.
• Learn about a variety of Indigenous bush foods and how First Nations Peoples have sustainably used native plants for thousands of years.
• Develop practical gardening skills through planting, weeding, caring for garden beds and observing plant growth.
• Prepare a range of delicious recipes, including apple crumble, seasoned potato wedges, handmade chocolates and biscuits featuring native Australian ingredients.
• Grade Five
• This term, Grade 5 students will deepen their understanding of sustainable food production, plant science and seasonal gardening while continuing to build their practical gardening and cooking skills.
• Throughout the term, students will strengthen their thinking, teamwork, sustainability practices and confidence in the kitchen while gaining a deeper appreciation of where food comes from and how we can care for our environment.
• Specific Skills:
• Explore the importance of seed saving and biodiversity for future food production
• Investigate how plant roots help plants survive in different environments
• Learn how seasonal weather influences planting and food production
• Compare Victorian seasonal gardening with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander seasonal knowledge
• Discover Indigenous foods and how First Nations Peoples have sustainably cared for Country for thousands of years
• Develop practical gardening skills through planting, harvesting, seed saving and caring for the garden
• Learn about reducing food waste by using seasonal produce and preserving surplus harvests
• Prepare a variety of seasonal recipes, including kale chips, homemade pasta with tomato sauce, garlic bread and strawberry gum rice pudding
• Grade Six
• This term, Grade 6 students will investigate sustainable gardening practices, plant science and food production while building independence and confidence in the kitchen and garden.
• Throughout the term, students will strengthen their scientific inquiry, teamwork, sustainability practices and cooking skills while developing a deeper understanding of how healthy gardens support healthy communities.
• Specific Skills:
• Investigate the conditions that affect seed germination
• Explore the structure and function of plants, including the different plant parts we eat
• Learn how companion planting supports healthy, sustainable gardens
• Discover how seasonal produce can be used to create healthy meals while reducing food waste
• Explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives on Caring for Country and sustainable harvesting practices
• Learn about Indigenous ingredients and the importance of native foods in Australian culture
• Develop practical gardening skills through planting, harvesting, caring for the garden and monitoring plant growth
• Prepare a variety of seasonal recipes, including homemade pizza, silverbeet and feta couscous salad, and dishes featuring native Australian ingredients.