Growing seedlings from seeds isn’t just about getting a head start on next spring’s garden! It is a golden opportunity to learn about plant life cycles, seed structure, and little tricks that some plants have developed such as needing to expose seeds to cold temperatures before they will germinate. Take a look at this resource from Easy Science for Kids for tips and information on germination and plant reproduction. View Resource »
Forcing Spring Bulbs
Do you have any flower bulbs left over from fall planting? This great indoor-outdoor lesson can help students conceptualize some plants’ need for cold temperatures. Forcing is the process of exposing bulbs to necessary cold temperatures (usually accomplished by placing them in a refrigerator) and then planting them in an environment that makes them think it is time to grow. View Resource »
Persuasive Writing in the Garden
This activity incorporates Common Core learning standards for English in your garden planning! In this lesson, students will use a variety of strategies to convince their peers to choose a given theme for the school garden. Written for grades 4-6. View Resource »
Children’s Literature
This expansive list of children’s literature (600 entries!) can be sorted by title, subject, or reading level so you can find exactly what you and your students are looking for. The books cover topics on gardening, food, farms, and cooking. View Resource »
Preserving the School Garden Harvest
Drying your harvest is a great way to preserve your garden’s bounty to use throughout the winter — and a fun classroom activity as the weather starts to turn colder! This resources includes step-by-step instructions for drying a variety of foods, as well as some hints towards lesson ideas about the history of drying food. View Resource »
