Second graders grow their knowledge during Agricultural Literacy Week at Little Britain Elementary School

It’s Agricultural Literacy Week at Little Britain Elementary School, and students are taking part in activities that bring farm-to-table awareness. Second graders from Ms. Ashley Scelia and Ms. Mindy Fowler’s class came together to welcome master gardener volunteer Ms. Dianne Wilder from the Cornell Cooperative Extension. 

Ms. Wilder read “The Pie That Molly Grew,” a book detailing Molly’s seed to table journey as she carefully explores each stage in her pumpkin’s life cycle. Before diving into the story, Ms. Wilder stirred up excitement with one simple question: “Who likes pie?” 

From discussing the many colors and species of pumpkins to exploring their various uses, the children discovered just how versatile the fall-time fruit can be. She also passed out seeds for students to examine and brought supplies so they could sow their own pumpkins later this spring, giving them a hands-on connection to the story’s message. 

Along the way, they learned about pollination and the critical role bees, and other pollinators, play in helping plants grow, showing how nature’s hard work ends up in their favorite treats. 

“Flowers depend on bees to move the pollen from the male flower to the female flower,” Ms. Wilder explained. “Once female flowers have pollen, they can grow into pumpkins!”

By the end, students cheered as Molly’s pumpkin was transformed into a mouth-watering pie, which she shared with friends and family in a celebration of gratitude. “I learned how to grow a pie!” one student exclaimed, sharing her excitement to bring her newfound knowledge to the dinner table. 

Big thanks to our master gardener volunteers for helping Little Britain Elementary students cultivate their appreciation for agriculture.