School Gardening Conference 2013 Resource List
Websites
Boston Schoolyard Initiative. 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2013 from schoolyards.
This site has planning and design tools and ideas, lessons and curricula, and resources for creating and enhancing school grounds.
Center for Ecoliteracy. 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2013 from www.ecoliteracy.org
Educational resources and information for teaching about sustainability and food.
Chicago Home Composting. 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2013 from www.chicagohomecomposting.org
Colorado State University. 2010. Gardening with Children. Retrieved February 12, 2013 from www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/4DMG/Children/children.htm
Lists articles on gardening with children as well as several hands-on planting activities.
Earth Partnership for Schools. 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2013 from http://uwarboretum.org/eps/
A program from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum. Curriculum and resources related to creating and using school native plant gardens. Includes workshops for teachers and educators. Each year 1-2 workshops are offered by the Chicago Botanic Garden. Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Lake County Forest Preserve District, and McHenry Conservation District in the Chicago area during the summer for groups of teachers from a single school. These workshops include training in the EPS curriculum and some seed money for starting a native school garden.
Edible Schoolyard Project. 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2013 from http://edibleschoolyard.org
A variety of resources and news related to edible gardens and food curricula. Includes the opportunity for educational gardens, kitchens and lunch programs to network and share lessons and best practices.
GardenABCs. 2012. Lesson Plans and Curricula. Retrieved February 12, 2013 from www.gardenabcs.com/Lessons.html
Links to a variety of school garden related lesson plans and curricula.
Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom. Retrieved December 21, 2011 from www.agintheclassroom.org
This website has a variety of resources, lesson plans, and teacher workshops related to teaching about agriculture in Illinois.
Illinois Early Learning Project. 2013. Get Growing: Learning about Seeds. Retrieved February 12, 2013 from http://illinoisearlylearning.org/tipsheets/garden-seeds.htm
Ideas for studying seeds with young children including additional resources.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. 2012. Growing in the Garden. Retrieved February 12, 2013 from www.growinginthegarden.org/lesson--activity-ideas.html
Has several free lessons related to gardens, agriculture, soils, and more and also has several full curricula for purchase.
Kitchen Gardeners International. Retrieved February 12, 2013 from http://kgi.org
This website includes a variety of resources for creating food gardens including a garden planner.
Life Lab Science Program. Retrieved February 12, 2013 from www.lifelab.org
A variety of resources for educators including school garden resources and curricula and activities.
Michigan State University. Michigan 4-H Children's Garden. Retrieved February 12, 2013 from http://4hgarden.cowplex.com/
Great information on gardening with kids for teachers, parents and kids! Lots of fun, interactive pages for children and great links.
The National Gardening Association. KidsGardening. Retrieved January 5, 2012 from www.kidsgardening.org
Great information about gardening with kids including cultural connections and activity ideas. Visit the regular National Gardening Association website for more general information about gardening here: www.garden.org
Nourish: Food + Community. Retrieved March 7, 2012 from www.nourishlife.org
"Nourish is an educational initiative designed to open a meaningful conversation about food and sustainability, particularly in schools and communities." Site includes classroom curriculum, tools for teaching about food systems, videos, action ideas and more.
Openlands. 20 12. Green School Programs. Retrieved March 12, 20 12 from www.openlands.org/community-greening/projects/green-school-programs.html
This local Chicago organization supports protecting the natural open spaces of northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region. This section of the website contains information on their programs for school gardens.
PBS. 2009. Botany of Desire. Retrieved April 30, 2012 from www.pbs.org/thebotanyofdesire/
Information, videos and lesson plans from the PBS series based on Michael Pollan's book of the same name. The four lessons explore the nature and science of sweetness, perceptions of beauty and its role in natural selections, what happens when psychoactive plants alter the brain, and biodiversity, genetic engineering, and the challenges of controlling nature.
Project Food, Land, & People. 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2013 from www.foodlandpeople.org/
School Garden Wizard. Retrieved February 12, 2013 from http://schoolgardenwizard.org/wizard/
A variety of resources and information for planning and creating a school garden. It also has information and resources for learning in a school garden and keeping it growing. This is a partnership between the Chicago Botanic Garden and the United States Botanic Garden.
Soil Science Society of America. 2011. K-12 Education Resources. Retrieved September 26, 2011 from www.soils.org/lessons
Texas A&M University. 1998. KinderGarden. Retrieved February 12, 2013 from http://aggiehorticulture.tamu.edu/kindergarden/kinder.htm
This site gives an introduction to the many ways children can interact with plants and the outdoors. Information on children's gardens is broken down into three genres- private children's gardens, community gardens, and children's gardens at botanic gardens.
United States Department of Agriculture. 2011. Agriculture in the Classroom. Retrieved December 21, 2011 from www.agclassroom.org/index.cfm
United States Department of Agriculture. 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Retrieved February 12, 2013 from http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/
Interactive hardiness map for plants that is searchable by zip code.
University of Illinois Extension. Horticulture. http://web.extension.illinois.edulstate/hort.html
This website contains a wealth of information about gardening in general and local extension offices are fantastic places to contact for tip and assistance with gardening.
University of Illinois Extension, Illinois Vegetable Garden Guide. http://web.extension.illinois.edu/vegguide/default.cfm
This website includes general information on vegetable gardening and specific information on particular plants. It includes information on dealing with garden pests and tips for growing specific plants. While it is geared towards planting outside, the information can be useful for growing plants in general.
University of Illinois Extension. 2012. Schools Online. Retrieved March 9, 2012 from http://urbanext.illinois.edu/SchoolsOnline/
This website contains links to curricula, activities, and websites for teachers, students, and parents on a variety of science, gardening, and agriculture related topics.
Windy City Harvest: Workshops in Sustainable Vegetable Production. Retrieved February 12, 2013 from www.chicagobotanic.org/windycityharvest/courses.php
The Chicago Botanic Garden's Windy City Harvest offers a variety of half day workshops on sustainable vegetable production. Topics include seed starting, crop planning. season extension and more.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Got Veggies? 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2013 from http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/physical-activity/FoodSystem/Gardening/GotVeggies/index.htm
Resources for Educators
Almeras, B. G. and D. Heath. 200 I. Access Nature. National Wildlife Federation.
Appelhof, M., M. F. Fenton, and B. L. Harris. 1993. Worms Eat Our Garbage. Kalamazoo, MI: Flower Press.
Bales, S. F. 1996. Ready, Set, Grow: A guide to Gardening with Children. New York: Macmililian USA.
Broda, H. W. 2011. Moving the Classroom Outdoors: Schoolyard-Enhanced Learning in Action. Portland, ME: Stenhouse Publishers.
Broda, H. W. 2007. Schoolyard-Enhanced Learning: Using the Outdoors as an Instructional Tool, K-8. Portland, ME: Stenhouse Publishers.
Bucklin-Sporer, A. and R. K. Pringle. 2010. How to Grow a School Garden: A Complete Guide for Parents and Teachers. Portland, OR: Timber Press. Inc. (This is a great resource with practical ideas for designing and planning a school garden and lesson ideas.)
California School Garden Network. 2006. Gardens for Learning: Creating and Sustaining your School Garden. Irvine, CA: California School Garden Network.
Carlson, L. 1995. Green Thumbs: A Kid's Activity Guide to Indoor and Outdoor Gardening. Chicago: Chicago Review Press.
Clary, R. and J. Wandersee. 2011. Our human-plant connection. NSTA Science Scope 34 (8): 32-37.
Coleman, E. 2009. The Winter Harvest Handbook: Year-round Vegetable Production Using Deep-organic Techniques & Unheated Greenhouses. White River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green Pub.
Coblyn, S. 2001. French Fries and the Food System: A Year-Round Curriculum Connecting Youth with Farming and Food. Lincoln, MA: The Food Project.
Danks, S. G. 20 I O. Asphalt to Ecosystems: Design Ideas for Schoolyard Transformation. Oakland, CA: New Village Press.
Dennee, J., J. Peduzzi, and J. Hand. 1996. In the Three Sisters Garden: Native American stories and seasonal activities for the curious child. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.
Ezrahti, T. 2000. Garden Detectives: A Guide to Using Your Powers of Observation to Solve the Mystery of Creating a Healthy Garden. Santa Barbara, CA. Community Environmental Council.
Farenga, S. and D. Ness. 2010. Going locavore: teaching students about the benefits of food produced locally. NSTA Science Scope 33 (5): 52-56.
Grant, T. 2001. Greening School Grounds: Creating Habitats for Learning. Toronto, ON: Green Teacher Magazine.
Jabbour, N. 2011. The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener: How to Grow Your Own Food 365 Days a Year No Matter Where You Live. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing.
Jaffe, R. and G. Appel. 2007. The Growing Classroom: Garden-Based Science. South Burlington, VT: National Gardening Association.
Junior Master Gardener. 1999-2005. Junior Master Gardener Series. Texas Agricultural Extension Service.
Jurenka, N. A. and R .J. Blass. 1996. Beyond the Bean Seed: Gardening Activities for Grades K-6. Englewood, CO: Teacher Ideas Press.
Kiefer, J. and M. Kemple. 1998. Digging Deeper: Integrating Youth Gardens into School & Communities. Common Roots Press.
Kite, P. L. 1995. Gardening Wizardry for Kids: Green Thumb Magic for the Great Indoors. Hauppauge, NY: Barron's.
Kneidel, S. 1997. Slugs, Bugs, and Salamanders: Discovering Animals in Your Garden. Fulcrum Kids Press.
Lightbody, M. 2011. What's so special about plants? Inquiry in the classroom. NSTA Science Scope 34 (8): 50-55.
Lord, T. R. and H. J. Travis. 2011. School Yard Science: 101 Easy and Inexpensive Activities. Arlington, VA: NSTA Press. (Contains a chapter specifically related to schoolyard gardens and nature areas, Chapter 6, pages 49-63).
Lovejoy, S. 1999. Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots: Activities to do in the Garden. New York: Workman Publishing.
Mannes, J. 2000. Seeds of Change: Learning from the Garden. Dale Seymour Publications.
Masabni, J. G. Vegetable Gardening in Containers. AgriLIFE Extension, Texas A&M System. http://aggiehorticulture.tamu.edu/publications/guides/e-545_vegetable_gardening_containers.pdf
Mayer-Smith, J. and L. Peterat, eds. 2010. Get Growing! Activities for Food and Garden Learning. Canada: Really Small Vernon Press.
Patten, E. and K. Lyons. 2003. Healthy Foods from Healthy Soils: A Hands-on Resource for Educators. Gardiner, ME: Tilbury House Publishers.
Paye, G. D. 2000. Cultural Uses of Plants: A Guide to Learning about Ethnobotany. Bronx, NY: The New York Botanical Garden Press.
Pranis, E. and J. Cohen. 2002. GrowLab: Activities for Growing Minds. Burlington, VT: National Gardening Association.
Pranis, E. and A. Gifford. 2002. Schoolyard Mosaics: Designing Gardens and Habitats. Burlington, VT: National Gardening Association.
Pranis, E. and J. Hale. 1999. GrowLab: A Complete Guide to Gardening in the Classroom. Burlington. VT: National Gardening Association.
Rich, S. 2012. Bringing Outdoor Science In: Thrifty Classroom Lessons. Arlington. VA: NSTA Press. (Contains a chapter on plants and on rocks and soils.)
Stone, M. K. and Center for Ecoliteracy. 2009. Smart by Nature: Schooling far Sustainability. Healdsburg, CA: Watershed Media.
Texas Agricultural Extension Service. 1999. Junior Master Gardener Teacher/Leader Guide. College Station, TX: Texas Agricultural Extension Service.
University of Minnesota. Schoolyard Ecology Explorations: An Inquiry Based Curriculum. St. Paul, MN: Monarchs in the Classroom.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Spring 2011. Reusing Potentially Contaminated Landscapes: Growing Gardens in Urban Soils. Retrieved March 9, 2012 from http://www.clu-in.org/download/misc/urban_gardening_fact_sheet.pdf (Contains information on gardening in urban environments with a specific focus on soil contaminants.)
Waters, A. 2008. Edible Schoolyard: A Universal Idea. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books LLC.
White, J., K. Barret, J. Kopp, C. Manoux, K. Johnson, and Y. McCullough. 2006. Math in the Garden: Hands-On Activities that Bring Math to Life. Berkley, CA: University of California and The National Gardening Association.
Books for Adults and Older Students
Eaton, E. R. 2007. Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Evans, A. V. 2007. National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Insects and Spiders of North America. New York: Sterling Publishing.
Kingsbury, N. 2009. Hybrid: The History & Science of Plant Breeding. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press.
Kingsolver, B. 2007. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.
Laws, B. 2011. Fifty Plants that Changed the Course of History. New York: Firefly Books.
Marshall, R. 2006. How to Build Your Own Greenhouse: Designs and Plans to Meet your Growing Needs. North Adams, MA: Storey Pub.
Mizejewski, D. 2004. National Wildlife Federation: Attracting Birds, Butterflies and Other Backyard Wildlife. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Creative Homeowner.
Pollan, M. 2001. Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World. New York: Random House.
Proctor, M., P. Yeo, and A. Lack. 1996. The Natural History of Pollination. Portland, OR: Timber Press.
Ruppenthal, R. J. 2008. Fresh Food from Small Spaces: The Square-Inch Gardeners Guide to Year-Round Gardening, Fermenting and Sprouting. White River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green Publishing Company.
Silvertown, J. 2009. An Orchard Invisible: A Natural History of Seeds. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press.
Whittingham, J. 2011. Backyard Harvest: A Year-Round Guide to Growing Fruits and Vegetables. New York: DK Publishing.
Books for Children
Aloian, M. and B. Kalman. 2004. The Life Cycle of a Flower. New York: Crabtree Publishing Company.
Arion, Penelope. 2006. Plant (DK Eye Know). Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc.
Aston, D. H. and S. Long. 2011. A Butterfly is Patient. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.
Aston, D. H. and S. Long. 2007. A Seed is Sleepy. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.
Ayers, P. 2000. A Kid's Guide to How Vegetables Grow. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group's PowerKids Press.
Bjork, C. and L. Anderson. 1988. Linnea's Windowsill Garden. Stockholm: R&S Books.
Blackaby, S. 2003. Buds and Blossoms: A Book About Flowers. Minneapolis, MN: Picture Window Books.
Brown, P. 2009. The Curious Garden. New York: Little, Brown and Company.
Bulloch, I. and D. James. 2000. Watch it Grow. Chanhassen, MN: Two-Can Publishing.
Burnie, D. 1992. Flowers. New York: Dorling Kindersley Publishing, lnc.
Burnie, D. 2004. Eyewitness Plant. New York: Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc.
Capon, B. 1994. Plant Survival: Adapting to a Hostile World. Portland, OR: Timber Press.
Cherry, L. 2003. How Groundhog's Garden Grew. New York: The Blue Sky Press.
Creasy, R. 2000. Blue Potatoes. Orange Tomatoes: How to Grow a Rainbow Garden. San Francisco, CA: Sierra Club Books for Children.
Cronin, D. 2003. Diary of a Worm. New York: Joanna Cotler Books.
Dietl, U. 1993. The Plant-and-Grow Project Book. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.