Garden of Learning
Curriculum

Garden of Learning will offer several packages containing a school year’s worth of lessons. These packages are put together to build on the program from year to year, for example each package will have a new worm lesson to rebuild your Worm Motel, a new Jeopardy game, a new insect microscopic study, etc. Each year your school can purchase a new package of lesson plans to keep your program fresh.

All of Garden of Learning lesson plans come with background information. Some are essentially academic; others are labor intensive, getting the jobs of a real organic garden done. Some have grade level worksheets, and require students to do some writing, math, observations, data collecting or microscopic work.

These Garden of Learning lesson plans are presented loosely in sequence of a typical school year. Garden Coordinators should feel free to manipulate the sequence and the lessons themselves to fit each school’s particular needs and circumstances..

On the back page of our lesson plans you’ll find “A Gardener’s Notes” page. These are in-depth directions and suggestions about the lesson, written for the Garden Coordinators. They’re also a handy place to put your own notes, or simply record things you’ll do differently next time.

Sample Lesson Plans

A Good Ol' Fashioned Hoe Down		Garden of Learning Journals		Sunflower Math
Lesson: (Basic Gardening/Science) Teaches the kids about garden maintenance while avoiding a weedy takeover.		Lesson: (Language Arts) Students make journals to be used all year for recording observations and written exercises.		Lesson: (Math) Students harvest their sunflower crop and use the seeds in math exercises. It’s a fun way to learn to count, sort, multiply, divide, estimate and chart.
Float Like a Butterfly		Butterfly Jeopardy		A B Seed
Lesson: (Science) Students use microscopes to examine two different types of butterflies and record their observations.		Lesson: (Science) Students learn about the life cycle and anatomy of butterflies while playing Butterfly Jeopardy.		Lesson: (Science) Lima beans are dissected to learn how seeds function.
Seedy Start		Just Plain Corny		Out of Your Gourd
Lesson:( Basic Gardening/Science) Students start seeds indoor for transplanting later.		Lesson: (Nutrition/Social Studies) We’ll examine how a single farm crop can have an amazing number of uses, and we’ll use a relay race to drive the point home.		Lesson: (Arts and Crafts/Social Studies) We make Native American gourd rattles, gaining an appreciation for indigenous culture.
The Days of Maize		Corn Husk Dolls		A Scarecrow in the Classroom
Lesson: (Social Studies) The history of corn and its role in Native American cultures.		Lesson: (Arts and Crafts/Social Studies) In this activity, students make dolls from corn husks, just as Native Americans and pioneer children did.		Lesson: (Creative Writing) Each class works together to make a scarecrow. Then, students engage in a writing exercise, imagining that their scarecrows come to life and join them in the classroom.
Harvest Celebration		Diggin’ the Doo		Lettuce Begin
Lesson: (Basic Gardening/Nutrition) Our students harvest their Autumn garden and have a celebration to teach an appreciation for where healthy food comes from		Lesson: (Basic Gardening/Science) Students add soil amendments and prepare plots for the winter crops.		Lesson: (Basic Gardening/Science) We plant our winter crops, including lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, kale, pansies, herbs, flowers and more.
Pumpkin Einsteins		Just Like the Lupine Lady		Like Totally Tuberous, Dude!
Lesson: (Math/Science) In this activity, pumpkins are used to teach students the Scientific Method. A question is posed; students conduct an investigation to gather data, then study what was observed and draw a conclusion.		Lesson: (Basic Gardening/Science and Language Arts) Students learn a valuable social lesson while planting bulbs on campus.		Lesson: (Science) Students study how bulbs grow, using worksheets that hone their powers of observation, while also creating a colorful display for next spring.
Can I Have a Blanket?		How Does Your Garden Grow?		Worm Diner
Lesson: (Basic Gardening/Science) Students lay down mulch, learning how it keeps roots warm, soil moist and soft, and inhibits the growth of new weeds.		Lesson: (Math) Students visit the garden to collect and record data on the plant they planted.		Lesson: (Math/Science) Students rebuild the contents of a Worm Motel, learning about vermicomposting while using their math skills.
Check-in Time		Worm With a View		The Soil Ecosystem
Lesson: (Science) We create a “worm motel.” The students will raise worms by recycling lunch or garden scraps all year long to enrich the soil.		Lesson: (Science) It’s time for some worms to check-out of the Worm Motel so students can view them under a microscope.		Lesson: (Science) Through the simple act of digging a hole in the garden students will evaluate and record vital information about the health of the soil.
Soil in Focus		Mad Soil Scientists		Seedy Art
Lesson: (Science) Students use microscopes to examine slides of the particles that make up soil, recording their observations.		Lesson: (Science) Students use a simple soil test kit to determine the pH level of the soil in various locations. This leads to a discussion of plants and their soil requirements.		Lesson: ()
Seed to Seed		Mosaic Stepping Stones, Part l		Mosaic Stepping Stones, Part ll
Lesson: (Arts and Crafts/Science) Students will make a mosaic picture of a flower from seeds and get a lesson in the jobs of the different parts of a plant.		Lesson: (Art) Students will create Mosaic Stepping Stones to beautify the garden and/or sell at the Farmer's Market.		Lesson: (Art) Students will grout their Mosaic Stepping Stones.
To Market We Will Go, Part l		Worm Traveler		Worm Jeopardy
Lesson: (Art/Economics) Students make posters for their Farmer's Market.		Lesson: (Science, Math and Language Arts) Students read the Diary of a Worm book. Then they will check one worm out of their Worm Motel to examine and make a passport for the worms travels.		Lesson: (Science) Students play a game of “Worm Jeopardy” and learn about worms and their role in gardening and the environment.
Check-Out Time		Ecosystem Evaluation		Ecosystem Jeopardy
Lesson: (Science) We check some worms out of our Worm Motel, learning about their anatomy and about vermicomposting.		Lesson: (Science and Language Arts) Students visit the garden, and using the scientific method, conduct an evaluation of its ecosystem.		Lesson: (Science) Students will learn about the ecosystem and the role of the plants and animals that live together in one place by playing a game of jeopardy.
The Garden Path		Branching Out		Balance of Nature, Part l
Lesson: (Basic Gardening) Students tend to their garden pathways and beds, pulling out weeds and spreading gravel, bark or other materials to block weeds.		Lesson: (Science, Math) Students visit a tree on campus to observe and record information about the animals, insects and plant life that inhabit it.		Lesson: (Science) Students visit the garden and gather information to be used the following week to create a food chain. This lesson will teach students there is a balance in the environment and a connection between all living things.
Balance of Nature, Part ll		Incredible Edibles		Near and Dear
Lesson: (Science) Students play a “Food Chain” game, using the information they gathered in the garden during the previous week. They will learn that all species are interdependent and the balance in nature must be cared for.		Lesson: (Nutrition) Students learn about edible plants, and diagram which parts of the plants they eat.		Lesson: (Science) Studetns use simple microscopes to examine some plants and organic material from the garden, recording their observations.
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