A Fruitful Partnership: Experiential Learning at Carnegie Elementary

Ms. Kinds, an educator with over 30 years of experience and a key partner in the 61st Street Farmers Market’s healthy eating and gardening classes, is a testament to a successful partnership between the Market and CPS’ Andrew Carnegie Elementary School.

The Market provides grades 2-5 Carnegie students with in-school gardening, healthy eating, and cooking classes throughout the academic year, teaching the students about a plant’s growing cycle, and how to grow and prepare fresh food.

According to Ms. Kinds, Carnegie School would not be able to offer this type of programming without the partnership with the Market, since “we don’t have extra funds for this. It’s a rare opportunity.” She added, “everything they learn hits a core competency requirement in our CPS required learnings. [...] I am so grateful for it.” 

The experiential curriculum the Market offers Carnegie students, Ms. Kinds explains, “makes an impact on our kids in a way other things do not: it gives students and teachers an opportunity to step outside the classroom.” Her students were so excited to go outside to the hoop house garden, “they couldn’t control their enthusiasm for the class!”

The most exciting aspect of this partnership is the opportunity to spark a child’s curiosity in discovering the world around them. “Any little experience could lead to [...] something in the future. You never know what a child will do with that experience,” said Ms. Kinds.

In the coming year, the Market hopes to continue to expand its healthy eating and gardening offerings at Carnegie School, adding K-1 classes as well. “With further resources, there is great opportunity for growth,” said Emily Cross, the 61st Street Farmers Market Senior Manager.