Woodstock school garden gives students hands-on experience

Woodstock School in SE Portland is getting updates to their outdoor garden classroom, and right now the school is a place of hands-on learning for all ages.

2nd grade teacher Jesse Hunter has used the garden to teach before.

"I've seen lots of examples of kids that have difficulty sitting still in their seat in the classroom. But
they get out here in this learning space and they're really engaged," Hunter said.

When he came to Woodstock, Hunter reclaimed planter beds, built more, and most recently got PTA and parent support to add a new tool shed. Volunteers with Sisters in the Brotherhood are building it, learning the ropes of their own trade — carpentry.

"A teacher like Jesse using hands-on learning in the garden is parallel to the apprentice in the Carpenters Union," said foreman Rose Swartz.

Hunter hopes the students learn a lot in this growing space "so that kids can become stewards of the environment, of their community."

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