Bailey Middle School Builds a Five Senses Garden

Bailey Middle School has a new five senses garden! Bailey's garden was initiated to promote and foster inquiry- and project-based learning. In conjunction with Stratford High School's vision of becoming the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) magnet cluster and with the help of Sharon Braden, principal of Bailey Middle School; Mr. Coleman, owner of Coleman's Home Improvement and Landscaping; the Bailey Middle School faculty; the Center for Science Outreach at Vanderbilt University; donations from Lowe's and Walmart; and the hard work of students, the garden that started as a dream has become a reality.

Research has shown that the variety and richness of natural settings contribute significantly to the physical, cognitive, and emotional development of children. Here at Bailey, our five senses garden will promote and encourage all students' learning by providing a natural setting as an enhanced learning environment offering opportunities for interdisciplinary lessons at all grade levels.

Submitted by Panthea Bryant-Jones, Bailey Middle School 8th grade science teacher and Scientist-in-the-Classroom Partnerships partner teacher.