Garden Features/Tools

School Gardens = Natural Playgrounds

Submitted by cynthiad on Mon, 08/13/2012 - 15:07

By:

Cynthia Domenghini, NGA Staff

Right Side Box:

Teachers at the K-State Center for Child Development use the produce from the garden to prepare simple dishes with their students. Here’s a recipe for Caprese Salad that is easy to make in a classroom.

Ingredients:

Thick slices of a Ripe Tomato (enough for each child to have at least one)
An equal number of slices of fresh mozzarella cheese
Twice as many leaves of fresh basil
A pinch of salt and pepper
Olive oil

Make sure everyone washes their hands and the work surface prior to touching the food.

Starting at the edge of a serving platter, place a slice of tomato, a basil leaf, a slice of mozzarella and another basil leaf. Continue in that pattern, forming a spiral from the outside in, until all the ingredients have been arranged. The salad should end in the center of the platter. Drizzle the salad with olive oil and sprinkle with black pepper and salt.

Upon arriving at the Center for Child Development (CCD) on the campus of Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, visitors quickly recognize the uniqueness of the facility.

Creating Color in the Winter Garden

Submitted by sarahp on Wed, 02/16/2011 - 12:11

By:

Paul Simon

This year has been an exceptionally snowy year for many families across the US. The frequent snowfall has provided my family with opportunities to ski, play outside, and spend quality time shoveling out the driveway again and again, and again. Our home landscape has been a monochromatic color of white with a handful of dark colored trunks emerging here and there.

Garden Structures: Grades 6-12

Submitted by sarahp on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 16:44

Question: What are some simple garden structures that I could build with my Grade 6-12 class?

Garden Structures: Grades K-2

Submitted by sarahp on Tue, 01/04/2011 - 16:42

Question: What are some simple garden structures that I could build with my K-2 class?

Garden Gifts for Kids

Submitted by sarahp on Wed, 12/22/2010 - 01:30

Author: Paul Simon

December is a busy month of decorating, parties, shopping, shopping, and oh yeah, shopping. Like my spouse, my children love to shop – they are happy to spend hours browsing through the stores, especially toy and book stores. This month, I offer up some of my family’s favorite garden-related holiday gift ideas for kids:

Building a Maze

Submitted by sarahp on Fri, 07/23/2010 - 00:55

Overview

Mazes are an engaging and fun addition to any youth garden. They can be made from a wide variety of materials depending on the resources and space available. Design and installation of the maze hones math and art skills.

Creating a Letterbox Activity

Submitted by sarahp on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 23:54

Overview

Letterboxing is a popular recreational pastime that involves following clues to find a box stowed in a scenic or interesting place. The hook? Searching for 'hidden treasure!'

Personalizing the Garden

Submitted by sarahp on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 22:16

When kids develop a sense of ownership in your youth garden both the program and the children thrive. Children engaged in planning and caring for the garden tend to take on responsibility and put more effort into garden maintenance and learning activities. You can also nurture the child-garden relationship by inviting them to add a personal touch to the space. Here are a few ideas...

Accessibility Inventory

Submitted by sarahp on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 01:37

Objectives

complete a site analysis
learn the elements of an accessible garden design
brainstorm ways to make the garden accessible

Central Concepts

Gardens should be accessible to everyone.
There are specific elements to incorporate into a garden design to make it accessible.

Materials

pencils
rulers or tape measure
copies of the site analysis questions
clipboard (or pieces of cardboard and paper clips)

Developing Symbols for Your Peace Garden

Submitted by sarahp on Sun, 07/18/2010 - 23:31

Right Side Box:

Ideas for Peace Garden Design Elements:

Plants
Sculpture
Murals
Flags/banners/signs/plaques
Benches
Paths
Water features
Designated spaces (performance/gathering space; quiet space)

Objectives

Students will:

learn that images and objects can convey meaning;
conceptualize symbols of peace, and describe how they connect the idea of peace to their symbols;
plan to integrate their symbols in a garden/habitat setting;
grasp the importance of good communication in promoting peace and conflict resolution;
practice good communication skills.

Materials

White board, chalkboard, overhead projector, or flip chart for recording discussion points; examples of symbols (optional)