Today I am excited to share with you a special GUEST POST all about SCHOOL GARDENS by my friend Dawn from Cultivating Exceptional Minds. Keep reading to hear her thoughts on school gardens…
Ever thought about starting a garden but didn’t know the benefits of a school garden for your kids? There are many benefits of school gardens for teachers and students. Some of the benefits of school gardens include students learning about planting and gardening. In this post, we will discuss the 6 benefits of school gardens.
SCHOOL GARDENS BENEFIT ALL TEACHING SUBJECTS
One benefit of a school garden is the fact that all teaching subjects can be taught outside. Whatever subject you teach you can do it in the garden! Math lessons:
- arrays of multiplication
- lines and angles
- counting
- word problems
Therefore, the options are endless. Activities in reading include sequencing, background knowledge, building vocabulary writing prompts, even gardening for preschool. No matter the grade level, the lesson can be taught outside.
BENEFIT #2: HANDS-ON LEARNING
Hands-on learning is another benefit of school gardens. Kids reinforce skills that are taught in the classroom by repetition. Similarly, active learning allows helps students solve problems and find solutions independently. In addition to planting and gardening, students can complete activities in the garden to assess understanding.
SCHOOL GARDENS PROMOTE REAL LIFE APPLICATION
Also, another benefit of school gardens is the real-life application. Kids, no matter their age, can broaden their vocabulary, follow directions and learn about seasons without realizing they are learning. Therefore, the possibilities are truly endless.
BENEFIT #4: SENSORY NEEDS
Meeting students sensory needs is another benefit of school gardens. Some examples include: water and sand tables, or using gloves for the dirt, students needs can be met and also explores. Below are sensory opportunities that can be found in a school garden includes:
- bubbles station
- water beads
- sand tables
- water tables
- chalkboards
- wooden blocks.
Of course, gardening for preschoolers and students with special needs is very important to meet developmental and social milestones.
SCHOOL GARDENS BENEFIT A CHANGE OF SCENERY
Students behavior improves when moving around instead of being desk-bound. It is the next benefit of a school garden. Furthermore, a change of scenery allows kids (and teachers, including me) to stay engaged and involved. The four walls of the classroom need a break sometimes, right?
BENEFIT #6: BUILD INDEPENDENCE & OWNERSHIP
Finally, the benefit of school gardens promote independence but also ownership for students. Students will be responsible to help keep plants alive.
These are just a few benefits of a school garden. Above all, kids of all ages enjoy being outside and learning. Use this knowledge to your advantage. These are a few activities that can be done outside to get started.
Dawn has been a special education teacher for 10 years. She has taught preschool through fifth grade in various settings such as inclusion, resource, homebound and self-contained. Dawn has an Ed Specialist degree in Early Childhood Special Education but is also certified in general education too. She was the District V Teacher of the Year in 2017 for Alabama. She has also presented at district and state-wide conferences about her garden and other special education topics. On the weekends in the spring, she is a volunteer coach for the Miracle League baseball program in her town. She is married and has one son (age 2). When not teaching, Dawn enjoys being at the beach, reading and working on her teacher created materials/blog.
Finally, if you are looking for additional activities that support gardening and kinder students, my friend Jessica over at 4kinderteachers has a whole post for you. You can check that out here.
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