ACADEMIC AND LIFE SKILLS TEACHABLE THROUGH SCHOOL GARDENING

Academic area

Skill/Concepts Taught

Activity

Needs, comments

MATHEMATICS

Measurement

 

 

Counting, dividing

 

 

 

 

 

 

Timing, 'backward thinking'

 

 

Graphing

Measure existing plots

Figure out possible new plots/beds

Determine soil needs (square/cubic feet)

Apportion seeds to beds

Apportion produce shares

 

Figure out sowing, germination, care and harvesting schedules

 

Record plant growth

 

 

SCIENCE

Scientific analysis

 

Understand minerals and other aspects of soil

Recognize link between climate and crops

 Needs of specific plants

Current issues in the environment

 

 

 

Interdependence, ecology, systems thinking

 

 

Biodiversity, sustainability, composting

Simple soil testing; what is soil?

Add minerals to soil based on testing

 Decide what plants are suitable for our area

 Determine best locations for plants

Study bee colony collapse/depletion

Plant bee-friendly forms

 

Provide plants (eg, marigolds) and animals (eg, toads) that deal with garden pests

 

 

Native species

 

Older students: help deal with invasive species

Tests bought in bulk

LITERACY

Writing:

 

Gardening journals

 

 

 

Writing reports

 

 

Reading

 

Oral presentations

Write, discuss preferences for garden design, content

Record daily/weekly activities about or in the garden

Embed own and others' research

Sequential writing re/ processes

Posters for school community

Read and discuss books on similar gardens

Give oral progress reports to other grades

 

SOCIAL STUDIES

Research on gardening:

 

History

 

Humans and food

 

 

Compare practices worldwide

 

Native American studies

tudy Victory gardens (WWII)

 

Potato famine, etc.

Research, report on gardening around the world, especially school gardens

 

Report on local results to international pen pals

 

Read about N.A. crops, attitudes toward land

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HEALTH

Nutrition science

 

Organic food awareness

 

Healthy eating

 

 

Protecting self from the elements

 

Avoiding exposure to toxic chemicals

 

Personal safety

 

Choose crops

 

 

 

Learn delicious recipes for many vegetables

 

Use of sunscreen, insect repellents

 

 

Focus on non-toxic materials

 

Use tools and materials properly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTS/DESIGN/ENGIN-EERING

 

 

3-dimensional thinking

 

 

 

 

Decision-making

 

 

 

Problem-solving

 

 

Use of recycled materials

 

Plan land use near school: logistics, foot traffic flow, sun/wind/visibility

 

Account for the needs of all in planning (light/air/ramps, etc.)

 

Create well-designed deer baffles

 

Make Toad Abodes

 

Design and make attractive scarecrows

 

Make insect-proof nets from mesh bags

TECHNOLOGY

Research on internet

 

 

 

 

Blogging

 

 

 

Using simple tools

 

 

Composting

Find examples of existing gardens

Weather science

Climate/growing zones

 

Share garden news and tips with others on the Internet

 

 

Help to build raised plant beds

 

Collect, compost appropriate materials

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMUNITY

Involving the community as helpers, watchdogs and stewards

Make posters for community awareness

 

Encourage residents and businesses to donate supplies, compostables, leaf mulch, etc.

 

Raffle off or sell prize vegetables and herbs

 

SOCIAL SKILLS

Cooperation, sharing and respect for others’ space and ideas

 

 

 

 

 

 

Planning garden

Sharing tools

Sharing garden space

Being considerate of fellow gardeners