School Gardens
What is a school garden?
A school garden is an outdoor teaching tool that allows educators to incorporate hands-on activities to their standard-based lessons, in an exciting, interdisciplinary way. School gardens engage students on so many levels, providing a dynamic environment to observe, experiment, discover, question and learn. In school gardens, children can discover the complexity of ecosystems, gain an appreciation for food and living things, and learn about plant and animal life cycles.
Why are school gardens important?
Educational philosophers from as far back as the 17 century have encouraged gardening with children to not only support learning objective, but to also stimulate the mental, emotional and social development of children. Simply being outside is so important to children, but school gardens also:
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Improve environmental attitudes
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Promote good nutrition and exercise
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Beautify the school campus
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Teach patience and a positive work ethic
- Provide rewards that are earned over time
School Gardens in our area:
*Don’t see your school garden listed? Let us know about your program. Email Melanie Mayo or call 423-493-9155 x10
Where can I get information about starting a school garden?
Check out these helpful websites for information, support, resources and ideas:
Who can I talk to locally about starting a school garden?
If you are interested in starting a garden for your school, please email Melanie Mayo or call 423.493.9155 x10 for more resources.