In an Immersion Week, students come to the garden every day for a week. Our seventh-grade classes come for two weeks of immersion, one in each semester. Eighth-grade classes come for one week in the spring.
Fruit and vegetable consumption has grown significantly in the past two decades as the health benefits of these crops have been emphasized. Unfortunately, the incidence of food borne illnesses has also increased.
In the garden, we rely on a variety of practices to assess our teaching and our students’ knowledge. Reporting out in a group setting, playing interactive games, and applying skills in the field can be used successfully throughout garden class as assessment practices.
This resource provides an overview of practices that teachers at the Edible Schoolyard Berkeley use to make lessons inclusive and engaging. These methods help students of diverse learning styles access curriculum and achieve learning goals.
When developing science lessons for the garden setting, we rely on four primary methods of integrating content into a typical garden class: opening circle demonstrations, rotating labs, small working groups, and hands-on experiences that take the entire class period.
When choosing ingredients for making a good potting mix or when selecting a potting soil mix that
is already made, check to make sure the ingredients of the mix you choose are organically grown so
that no toxins or chemical sprays are present in the ingredients you are handling.
This resource provides three soil mix recipes. Each of these mixes is a healthy and effective combination of ingredients, whether you are working on a larger plot of land or seedling trays.
This resource, compiled by farmer and Edible Schoolyard Project adviser Wendy Johnson, provides an overview of organizations that advance environmental causes, as well as websites, films, and books that explore ecologically sound growing practices.
