The School Garden Curriculum

An Integrated K-8 Guide for Discovering Science, Ecology, and Whole-Systems Thinking

Kaci Rae Christopher (Autor)

Buch | Softcover

320 Seiten

2019
New Society Publishers (Verlag)
978-0-86571-905-7 (ISBN)

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The School Garden Curriculum provides an integrated K-8 framework and over 200 weekly lessons that weave science, permaculture, and environmental education into place-based, immersive learning. For teachers aiming to blend science and life skills while inspiring environmental stewardship.

Transform classroom learning into hands-on discovery that improves academic outcomes while teaching real-world skills. Complete K-8 curriculum connects science, ecology, and systems thinking through practical gardening projects that engage even the most reluctant learners and meet educational standards.

Why Garden-Based Learning Works:

Students learn better when education is tangible and relevant. Garden curriculum integrates math, science, and environmental studies naturally while developing responsibility, patience, and problem-solving skills traditional classroom methods can't teach.

What You'll Implement:

Season-by-season lesson plans integrating math, science, and environmental education
Standards-aligned activities that meet curriculum requirements through hands-on learning
Assessment tools measuring both academic progress and ecological literacy development
Community partnership strategies connecting classroom learning to real-world applications
Budget-friendly implementation for starting school gardens with minimal resources

Measurable Educational Impact:

Schools using garden-based curricula report 15-25% improvement in science test scores, increased student engagement, and enhanced environmental awareness lasting into adulthood.

Bring learning to life through nature. Essential for educators seeking to engage students while meeting academic standards through meaningful, memorable experiences.

Kaci Rae Christopher is the volunteer Farm and Garden Educator for Oregon's Redband Ranch. She was previously the School Garden Coordinator for the Springwater Environmental Sciences School, the Outdoor Educator for ERA, and worked on education farms, community supported agriculture initiatives, and farm schools. Her passion is fostering a healthy land ethic, personal empowerment, and environmental literacy in children of all ages through outdoor immersion and skill building in order to inspire generations of changemakers. Currently pursuing her MFA at OSU-Cascades, on most days Kaci Rae can be up to her elbows in soil or hiking new trails with her husband and two dogs. She lives in Bend, Oregon.

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Where Permaculture and Science Meet

Kindergarten: An Introduction to Gardening
    Fall: Getting to Know the Garden
    Winter: Pollination and Seeds
    Spring: Insects and Garden Species

First Grade — Grade One: Seeds
    Fall: The Edible Parts of Plants
    Winter: Traveling Seeds
    Spring: Sprouting Seeds Experiment

Second Grade — Grade Two: Pollinators and Cycles
    Fall: Seasons and Garden Changes
    Winter: Beneficial Insects and Birds
    Spring: Observing Pollinators

Third Grade — Grade Three: Becoming Soil Scientists
    Fall: The Garden Ecosystem
    Winter: Soil Vitality Experiment
    Spring: Fostering Healthy Soils

Fourth Grade — Grade Four: Vermicomposting
    Fall: Becoming a Worm Expert
    Winter: Mini Worm Bin Project
    Spring: Worms Help Grow a Healthier Garden

Fifth Grade — Grade Five: Composting
    Fall: Composting Basics
    Winter: Compost in a Jar Experiment
    Spring: Healthy Soils and Garden Plants

Sixth Grade — Grade Six: Rain Gardens
    Fall: The Way Water Moves
    Winter: Rain Garden Design
    Spring: Building a Rain Garden

Leadership and Stewardship

Seventh Grade — Grade Seven: Renewable Resources
    Fall: Catching and Storing Energy
    Winter: Valuing Renewable and Natural Resources
    Spring: Using Small and Slow Solutions

Eighth Grade — Grade Eight: Leadership and Stewardship
    Fall: Energy Cycles and Conservation
    Winter: Designing Systems
    Spring: Supporting Biodiversity

Endnotes
Appendix A: Next Generation Science Standards
Appendix B: Resources
Index
About the Author
About New Society Publishers

Erscheinungsdatum	05.11.2018
Zusatzinfo	8 Plates, color; 70 Illustrations, black and white
Verlagsort	Gabriola Island
Sprache	englisch
Maße	203 x 254 mm
Gewicht	814 g
Themenwelt	Schulbuch / Wörterbuch ► Unterrichtsvorbereitung
	Naturwissenschaften ► Biologie ► Ökologie / Naturschutz
	Sozialwissenschaften ► Pädagogik ► Schulpädagogik / Grundschule
ISBN-10	0-86571-905-5 / 0865719055
ISBN-13	978-0-86571-905-7 / 9780865719057
Zustand	Neuware