Bringing School Gardens to Life By Ground Education Holland Brown, Karen Taylor, and Nancy Schmitt holland@groundeducation.org karen@groundeducation.org Nschmitt@lbschools.net
Who are we and why are we smiling?
If you don t have a garden yet Get staff and teachers excited Form a team Think about sunlight, water, and space for learning Look for building partners: Boy Scouts American Heart Association Annie s, Lowes, and other corporate sponsors Your school district grounds department Start a garden fund Build a garden big or small
You ve built a school garden, now what?
Go ahead and plant the seeds! of exploration of history of imagination of culture of nutrition of confidence of community of compassion of critical thinking of resilience of wonder This limitless potential makes a thriving school garden a perfect canvas for integrating ideas about how the world works and our critical role in nature.
Why garden during the school day? It builds connections and community It encourages patience, observation, and a sense of wonder It s fun and builds self esteem It increases willingness to eat fruits and vegetables It supports STEAM (including NGSS) We want to raise critical thinkers and compassionate human beings It positively impacts the lives of all children and families (CA PTA mission) Shocking Fact: Americans spend 93% of time indoors
Garden education is multi disciplinary
Gardens are used to teach all core subjects Subjects Taught in School Garden Lessons Math 67% ELA 75% History/Social Studies 56% Science 97% www.lifelab.org/schoolgardensurvey
Teachers see the potential 84% of classroom teachers exposed to school gardens think gardens help students learn more effectively (Skelly and Bradley 2000)
The kids say it all
So use your garden intensively for all students Find a curriculum that supports your goals Consider a garden educator Make a plan for garden management Make a master lesson schedule Look for ongoing funding sources Plan a groundbreaking/work party and dig in!
Find a curriculum that supports your goals Explore the many free or inexpensive curriculum resources available online: The Edible Schoolyard Project Collective School Garden Network Mystery Science Acorn Naturalists Life Lab Work with teachers at each grade level to meet their learning objectives Determine how many garden lessons each class will have during the year (we aim for once a month, 8 total)
Consider hiring a garden educator Educators bring a curated curriculum, lesson supplies, garden knowledge, and teach/facilitate all garden lessons Educators can perform garden maintenance and routine trouble shooting Educators can manage soil health and the master planting calendar
A sample of our curriculum Fifth grade: Cultivating a colonial dooryard garden Planting herbs and journaling Exploring medicinal uses of herbs (apothecary kits) Making tea and lavender sachets Using plant dyes Making corn husk dolls
Make a plan for garden management Soil Health Testing Amending Watering schedule Seeds vs. seedlings Pest management Community workdays Summer maintenance
Make a master lesson schedule Consult bell schedule and school/district master calendar Plan for 1 hour lessons with a short break in between to reset Determine lesson frequency (weekly, once a month) Consider teaching one grade level per day Invite parent volunteers, interns, or local master gardeners to support lesson delivery
Look for ongoing funding sources Community partners Whole Foods/Whole Kids Foundation CNPS Lowe s Local business associations Grants California School Garden Network Kids Gardening Slow Food USA National Gardening Association The Foundation Center
Case Study: Seed Exploration
Case Study: Zucchini Race Cars (NGSS Exploration)