pp creating a learning garden
- 1. Creating a Learning Garden Teaching organic growing skills to Early Years students
- 2. Introduction What can gardening in school achieve? Gardening can enrich a curriculum Teach children life skills Contribute to students emotional and physical health Demonstrate a pivotal role in developing active citizens of the future
- 3. How do gardens help our children grow stronger? As well as helping children lead happier, healthier lives, research shows gardening helps them acquire essential skills they need to fulfill their potential in a rapidly- changing world and make a positive contribution to society as a whole. -Royal Horticulture Society
- 4. Gardening in schools encourage children to: Become stronger, more active learners capable of thinking independently and adopting their skills and knowledge to new challenges at school and in life. Gain a more resilient, confident, and responsible approach to life so they can achieve their goals and be positive members of a community. Learn vital job skills such as presentation skills, communication, and team work as well as fuel their entrepreneurial spirit. Embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle as an important tool for success at school and beyond. Develop the ability to work and communicate with people of all ages and backgrounds.
- 5. How do I get my students interested in gardening? Keep it simple Give children their own space Involve older children in the planning and design of the garden Use lightweight, easy-to –use tools and equipment Encourage children to dig in the dirt Plant to attract butterflies, humming birds, ladybugs Make a scarecrow View community gardens, farms, or botanic gardens
- 6. Safety in the garden To make a garden safe for children: Select the correct-sized tools Keep sprays and fertilizers out of reach Do not use chemicals. Garden organically! Provide safe storage for equipment and tools Secure fences and gates Provide shade Watch for animals and scat
- 7. What should we plant? Take into consideration climate, time of year, and what you want the outcome to be. Here are some veggies that grow in the Las Vegas climate well. Beans *Kale Beets *Lettuce Broccoli *Onion Cabbage *Peas Carrots *Peppers Cauliflower *Potatoes Cucumber *Spinach Eggplant *Tomato
- 8. Activities for children in the garden Watering Digging Picking flowers Planting vegetables, fruits, and flowers in the correct season Harvesting fruits and veggies Preparing healthy food from harvested plants Weeding Gathering seeds and dried flowers Preparing soil Deadheading flowers
- 9. How do I extend the garden to the classroom? Using classroom skills in the garden or bringing gardening skills back to the classroom is fun! Math Measuring space Counting seeds Spacing seeds or plants Comparing sizes of seeds or plants
- 10. Art Draw pictures or a series of pictures of fruit or vegetables from seeds to full grown plant. Make row markers by drawing a picture of the plant on card stock and laminating it. Language and Reading Read books on gardening Look at seed catalogs and let children choose what to plant. As harvest time gets closer, look at recipes to use with harvested items
- 11. Where can I get help? Community or local gardening groups Plant store like Star Nursery, Cactus Joe’s, and Plant World Co-op farming groups Ask at Farmers Markets
- 12. Things to remember: Gardening is a fun, healthy activity for children. Children develop new skills and learn about science and nature by growing their own food. There is a variety of activities children can be involved in, such as planting, mulching, weeding, and cooking. Make sure your garden is a safe place with suitable equipment, tools, fences, gates, and paths for children to use.
- 13. Acknowledgements Royal Horticultural Society- case study Gardening in schools Better Health Channel- Fact sheet Gardening for Children The Old Farmer’s Almanac- Planting calendar for Las Vegas area Sean Roszell’s brain
Editor's Notes
- #2: For ages 2 to 5