Taking students outside adds interest and excitement to the learning process. Research shows that students are happier, healthier, and higher achievers when they learn and play in nature. You can reinforce that by rewarding the entire class or individual students with additional time in the garden or with special privileges, such as Gardener(s) for the Day or Week. A special hat, apron, or garden gloves can emphasize the award. School gardens offer opportunities for:
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- Active learning that involves students in the learning process.
- Cooperative learning among classmates, within grade levels and school wide.
- Developing environmental stewardship.
- Quiet or small group endeavors.
- Reinforcing good health habits and the importance of nutrition.
- Meeting with counselors. The garden provides a less formal setting to reduce student anxiety.
- Engaging students with special needs and Special Ed students.
Many Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards are easily taught in school gardens and schoolyard environments. The garden also accommodates cooperative learning, connecting with nature, art, music and special activities Common Core Connections.
Use the Garden linked NGSS Performance Standards at the end of this section or go to NGSS in the Garden.
Life Lab also has links to the Common Core and NGSS standards as well as to their Standards Database. They provide suggestions for using the garden to meet curriculum standards while learning basic gardening principles.
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