Resources: ECO Arts/Literacy

THINKING WITH YOUR HANDSResources — here is a growing list of resources for you, your students and families. Please visit it often and feel free to leave a comment on the usefulness or extension of other resources. Lisanne, Rosemary, Mary Lisa, pat

The Growing Classroom. Revised Edition. Developed by the Life Lab Science Program, this award-winning second edition has been revised to meet current science standards. A wonderful collection of classic garden activities, The Growing Classroom is a teacher’s manual featuring step-by-step instructions and strategies for setting up a garden-based science program and outdoor classroom activities. Topics include planning a garden laboratory, facilitating investigative lessons on ecology and nutrition, and involving the community. Includes an expanded gardening resource section. This curriculum is a teacher and NGA staff favorite! 464 pages; gr 2-6.

Preschool Gardening Curriculum The garden is an engaging, stimulating, and — most importantly — fun learning environment for preschool children. Written for early childhood educators, this new book features 16 thoughtful, hands-on activities centered around 4 key questions: What is a plant? Where do plants come from? How do we take care of plants? Why are plants important? Each chapter includes horticultural teacher background information, interdisciplinary extension ideas, and a reproducible “family newsletter” describing an activity to complete at home. Equally suited for educators who are new to gardening and those who are experienced green thumbs, these inspired lessons will let you and your young students embark on a wonderful garden learning adventure. 96 pages. Preschool.

No Student Left Indoors by Richard Louv. Nature is not a destination, nature is everywhere — including right in your own schoolyard. This best-selling educator’s guide helps students discover, observe, and record nature in their urban, suburban, or rural schoolyard. A wonderful multidisciplinary hands-on project that teaches children to learn to appreciate nature, and find it in the most unexpected places! 178 pages. Grades K-8.

Sowing the Seeds of Wonder. Through these hands-on activities from the educators at Life Lab, preschool-age children will engage all of their senses as they discover the joys of gardening. Your young students will develop a lifelong connection to the outdoors as they dig into the soil; observe birds, insects, and other critters in the garden; and enjoy the tastes of fresh fruits and vegetables they have helped to plant, harvest, and prepare. 120 pages. Preschool.

Getting Started: A guide for starting a school garden (free download)The Life Lab Science Program distilled their years of world-wide school garden experience into a concise 50-page guide that asks and answers most questions you need to consider for creating an outdoor classroom garden. Items covered include your garden’s purpose; school staff, volunteers, and students; connecting with curriculum; site selection and design; theme gardens; fund-raising; public awareness; and more. Get this guide if you are thinking about starting a garden for your school or program, then move on to The Growing Classroom and Life Lab Science. This publication is available free as a PDF download, http://www.lifelab.org/store/curriculum/