11 Ways students can explore core subjects in the garden

School gardens are a powerful teaching tool, and now our new, comprehensive guide makes it easier for educators to use them in the classroom and after school. Grow a Garden Classroom was created by KC Healthy Kids and KC Community Gardens to empower teachers to bring their students to the garden.

You can get an in-depth look at the guide at a free workshop set for September 22 in KCMO. ​

Fostering an environment where children can learn in the garden has powerful benefits. It promotes nutrition and exercise and can improve self-esteem. Students can learn where food comes from, increase their awareness of the environment and gain respect for the process of growing food. When provided the opportunity to learn in an outdoor garden setting, children enhance their ability to work in small groups, develop a sense of pride in their school, and get excited to try new fruit and vegetables.

“With schools’ busy schedules, a seamless transition from classroom to garden is necessary. Grow a Garden Classroom allows an opportunity to build on both classroom learning and garden experiences, creating a fruitful environment for both students and teachers,” said MaryAnna Henggeler, garden coordinator for Kansas City Community Gardens.
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Here are 11 ways students can learn math, science, English/language arts, history/social science, health/P.E. and fine arts concepts in the garden. You’ll find detailed lesson plans for all of these and more in Grow a Garden Classroom.

1. Keep daily garden journals documenting observations, weather conditions, and classroom activities.
2. Research plants in the garden and create a class garden guide.
3. Use a garden taste test to determine the mean, median, and mode.
4. Host a bean race. Plant a number of beans at the base of a trellis and track their growth on a chart. Determine the rate of growth and award the fastest plant a blue ribbon.
5. Dissect flowers to identify adaptations that make pollination possible, then observe pollinators in the garden to determine what color of flower attracts the most pollinators.
6. Observe lima bean seeds during germination to determine how different growing conditions effect germination.
7. Create a garden weather center.
8. Develop garden rules and then vote on them.
9. Research and grow plants that were indigenous to this area and the agricultural practices of the Native American Tribes of the region.
10. Brainstorm your favorite foods and work to create healthy alternatives. Create a classroom recipe book.
11. Make instruments from gourds and learn how to play them.

“Educators have so many responsibilities in the classroom, and this user-friendly guide is a great tool for integrating the garden with mandatory curriculum,” said Rachael McGinnis Millsap, Farm to School Director for KC Healthy Kids.
Come grow with us and help reshape our school communities for a brighter future!