Education and Curriculum Overview
Garden Expectations
1. Be kind to all living things.
2. Be safe: walking feet and ask to pick.
3. Be responsible.
4. “Don’t yuck my yum!”
5. Be brave and try new things!
Program Goals & Learning Objectives
Academic Learning: Students will engage in hands-on environmental science learning and practice observation skills connected to classroom learning objectives (i.e. life cycles, plant parts and functions, soil properties, pollination, water cycle, weather patterns & seasons, habitats and ecosystems, and the impacts [positive and negative] of humans on the natural environment).
Social Emotional Learning: Students will engage in collaborative and independent gardening activities to encourage community building, mindfulness, and respect for all living things.
Gardening Knowledge: Students will demonstrate understanding of basic gardening skills such as planting seeds, weeding, watering, harvesting and the needs of plants.
Connection to Nature: Students will spend time outdoors and become familiar with their local, natural environment, building awareness and connection to Nature.
Receptive to trying new foods: Students will show positive attitudes toward and willingness to try new vegetables in the garden.
Monthly Curriculum Themes (may shift annually)
September- Welcome to the Garden!
October- Signs of Fall & Garden Stewardship
November- Soil: The Health and Science Beneath Our Feet
December- Water: The Key to Life
January- Local Birds: Adaptations & Garden Ecosystems
February- Food Systems
March- Plant Parts & Functions
April- Insects & Pollination
May/June- Garden Celebrations and Summer Planting!