Kansas School Gardens Activities
Kansas School Gardens Activities
These activities were developed BY Kansas teachers and school gardeners FOR Kansas teachers and school gardeners. Browse the activity list below, and download activities at the bottom of this page. These activities will be pilot tested during KACEE's Dig In to School Gardens workshop series, and revisions will be ongoing throughout the 2011-2012 school year. Please contact Ashlyn Kite-Hartwich, KACEE Education Specialist, if you have comments or suggestions regarding these activities.
Map it Out
Map your school grounds to find the perfect site for your garden.
Students will be able to: Read a map; Create a map that includes key, orientation, scale, and features; and Identify features needed for a school garden site.
Soil and Slope
Get the dirt on your dirt with these soil science investigations.
What's With This Weather?
Understand the weather and climate in your school garden and choose crops that will thrive.
Students will be able to: Explain the role of weather and climate in the survival of garden plants; Measure and interpret weather and atmospheric data; Select garden crops appropriate for local climate conditions.
Weather Faux-Yoga and Other Moves
Become the sun, wind and clouds to learn about weather in motion!
Students will be able to: Define weather and list at least three elements of weather; Use movement to demonstrate an understanding of weather patterns; Collect and interpret data from the weather station.
Explore the Roots of Your Food
Research & discuss what’s going on with your food and learn how school gardens are making a difference.
Students will be able to: Compare and contrast several methods of food production; Apply basic principles and strategies in debating food production issues; and Apply media literacy skills in evaluating commercials and films.
A Tale of Two Plots
Explore and experiment with gardening using historical Native American practices.
Students will be able to: Compare and contrast historical Native American and current gardening methods; Create a traditional Native American Three Sisters garden; and Explain how historical methods shaped current agricultural practices.
Seeds in Need
Find out what your seeds need and help them grow into big healthy garden plants.
Students will be able to: Identify seeds as the part of the plant that grows into a new plant; Sort and compare different seeds and understand that different seeds grow into different kinds of plants; Plant seeds under the right conditions and list the (general) needs seeds have to germinate (begin to grow); and List at least three seeds that humans and animals eat.
I'm Hungry: The Photosynthesis Picture
Discover how your school garden plants make their own food
Charting Growth
Observe and track your garden’s growth as you count down to harvest time.
Students will be able to: Predict seed and plant growth based on researched information; Track and chart the growth of plants; Compare ideal growing conditions to current growing conditions.
Fruit Gardens
Explore fruit from farm to table and learn how it can be grown at school!
Students will be able to: Explain how fruit travels from farm to table; Analyze a soil sample for pH and nutrient levels; and Research fruits that can be grown in a school garden and prepare fruit beds.
Song of the Seven Herbs
Garden produce is nutritious, delicious, and sometimes even medicinal!
Pizza Garden
Bring the importance of nutrition & eating locally grown food to life with a subject all students love!
Chicks and Salsa
Grow a salsa garden and make salsa for a delicious learning experience.
Insects: Good, Bad or Both?
Learn about a variety of insects while participating in a scavenger hunt in the school garden.
Students will be able to: Identify beneficial garden insects; Analyze effects of conventional and sustainable pest controls; and Attract beneficial insects to the school garden.
Cooking with Class
Learning can be delicious when your class cooks together.
Dust Bowl
Dig in to a book, dig in to history, then dig in to your garden to explore soil conservation.
Students will be able to: Read and comprehend how Kansans living in the 1930’s experienced the Dust Bowl; Develop an understanding of soil conservation practices; and Apply soil conservation practices to the school garden.
Oh Beans!
Sort, grow and get to know beans from many cultures.
Students will be able to: Identify a variety of bean seeds; Understand the origins and cultural significance of beans; and Select and grow bean varieties appropriate for Kansas.
Scroll to the bottom of the page for a High School Standards Alignment compiled by Stephanie Stark.