At Little Bay Primary, we are fortunate to have a courtyard with mature trees and large flowerbeds which, in the past, we have used as a butterfly garden.  Students have been able to observe and record all stages of the lifecycle of the Monarch butterfly. 

 In an effort to take full advantage of this natural space, we applied for and were awarded a grant to create a literacy and science garden—complete with outdoor classrooms, tools for investigating science, and books about plants and animals. 

“Cultivating Literacy and Science” was made possible through the Toyota TAPESTRY Grants for Science Teachers Program which recognizes outstanding science teachers and gives students hands-on exposure to science at an early age.  The project is one of 50 large grant awardees chosen  in 2008.  The grant is funded by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. and administered by the National Science Teachers Association.

We believe that using our garden for literacy and science activities enhances our instructional program and is an avenue for further parent participation.