Checklist for Your First Class

You’ve taken that first step to volunteer.  Thanks!  And, you’ve discussed the basics with the teacher.  Now what?  These are a few reminders to help you ease into your first experience with a class in the garden.

ü      Please take the time to read through the manual for tips to focus your class, garden and tool rules, and locations of supplies among other things.

ü      Visit your class garden in advance and take inventory of what you find there.  If you have any questions, contact a staff member as early as possible.

ü      Check the schedule of activities on the website and review the weekly email to find out what’s coming up.  Review the lesson.

ü      About a week in advance, email your teacher and other class volunteers about the activity.   If a worksheet is needed, send an attachment and ask the teacher to make copies.  If students need to bring pencils, scissors, or clipboards (Many classes have a supply.  If the class does not, there are clipboards in the barn), tell the teacher in the email.  We recommend meeting the class in the classroom to briefly explain the activity before going outside. 

Email sample: 

On (insert date), we will (insert activity).  Please make copies of the attached worksheet for your class.  The student will need to bring (insert item).  I will meet you in your classroom.

ü      Several days in advance be sure you have the supplies you will need, non-tool things like seeds, plant markers, permanent markers.  Take scissors each time to cut flowers or use as a tool to loosen roots when harvesting.  Please be sure to sign out any equipment you borrow from the barn.  The sign out sheet is located on a bulletin board in the barn.

ü      Arrive early for your class to move tools and buckets to your garden location if you are using them, and return supplies to their proper locations when you are finished with them. 

ü      Sign in at the school entrance to receive a visitor’s badge.

ü      Please wear a Granny’s Garden School apron each time you take the class out.  The apron is your identification badge for our program.