Far Brook's Living Classroom

September 26, 2024

On a warm Thursday evening, our community gathered for Education Night to visit classrooms, hear from teachers, and learn about Far Brook's curriculum. This year, we had a special focus on our garden. The newest addition to our campus was built this summer and has already become an integral part of the student experience at School. After spending time in the garden with Specialist teachers as well as our community partners (Kaleidoscope Garden Design and Hadley Peterson Landscape Design), parents moved into Moore Hall where Head of School Amy Ziebarth gave her remarks. 

A school garden is so much more than just a space to grow plants; it’s a living classroom where children learn first-hand about sustainability, the cycles of nature, and the interdependence of all living things. It engages students in hands-on learning, teaching them responsibility, patience, and the rewards of nurturing something from seed to harvest. They will discover the importance of healthy food choices, environmental stewardship, and many of the sciences that explain our natural world.

In a progressive school like ours, where we value inquiry-based learning, collaboration, and problem-solving, a garden becomes an essential part of the curriculum. It offers opportunities to explore math, science, art, literacy, social studies, and even music, woodshop, and drama! More importantly, it cultivates a sense of amazement, wonder, patience, and respect for the earth.

- Amy Ziebarth, Head of School