This short pdf from UW Extension is a great review of the benefits of gardening with youth. View Resource »
Outdoor Classrooms for Young Learners
Imagine a classroom with hills to climb, insects to observe, and special places to gather and reflect. Where does such a place exist? Outside! Outdoor classrooms teach children about the world around them. This brief outlines the benefits of nature play, suggests elements to include in an outdoor classroom, and highlights two Wisconsin schools combining nature, learning, and fun. Download Brief »
Outdoor Classrooms For School-Age Learners
Digging for worms, manipulating waterways, and exploring our surroundings know no age limit. Outdoor classrooms are ripe with opportunities for students of all ages to better understand and engage in the world around them. This brief outlines the benefits of outdoor classrooms, suggests elements to include when designing one, and highlights one Wisconsin school that has successfully expanded its classroom learning beyond the school’s four walls. Download Brief »
Sowing the Seeds of Success
Designed in partnership with the American Horticultural Society, Cornell University’s Sowing the Seeds of Success is designed to walk you through the organizational aspects of a gardening program, including planning & organizing, benefits & research, fundraising & promotion, and evaluation. View Resource »
Teaching In Nature’s Classroom
In Teaching in Nature’s Classroom: Core Principles of Garden-Based Education, Nathan Larson shares a philosophy of teaching in the garden. Rooted in years of experience and supported by research, Larson presents fifteen guiding principles of garden-based education. These principles and best practices are illustrated through engaging stories from the field. The book also features a collection of vivid paintings by mural artist Becky Redelings and connections to the research literature provided by Alex Wells and Sam Dennis of the University of Wisconsin Environmental Design Lab.
We are excited to be able to offer copies of Teaching in Nature’s Classroom in both English and Spanish, free of charge! Visit the book website to receive a free copy.
