Garden, Grow and Learn

While focusing on the Ontario Health and Physical Education curriculum, make connections to food and nutrition across all curriculum strands.

Here are some examples...

Math

Count and record the number of different plants and vegetables.
Estimate the length and width of the garden, rows, paths and height of plants.
Explore patterns and display results on different types of charts and graphs.
Measure growth rates of plants.
Review graphs and tables to determine which plants grow best in various climates.
Calculate an area of land and crop yield.

Science

Investigate the functions of different plant structures.
Use five senses to explore various vegetables and herbs.
Learn about the ways that food is grown and impacts on water systems.
Observe a real-life water cycle experiment using a salad cup terrarium as the moisture in the soil heats up and forms condensation around the lid, then cools and drops down to the soil again.
Learn about food decomposition and food waste.
Learn about environmental sustainability.

Language

Read and discuss books about food and where food comes from.
Sort plant names or garden tools into alphabetical order.
Keep daily journals tracking observations in the garden such as plant changes, weather conditions, wildlife sightings, and classroom activities.
Investigate a vegetable or fruit and create an illustrated pamphlet with information about the food (e.g., best growing conditions, when it’s in season, how to prepare it).
Write a poem, letter, song or other narrative to describe experiences visiting the garden and exploring using five senses.

Art

Create paintings, drawings, prints or sculptures of vegetables growing in the garden.
Create a collage using pictures of plants from seed catalogues.
Make a step-by-step video of students planting a garden or how to harvest vegetables from a tower garden.
Create music with a makey makey piano using carrots or other vegetables from the school garden.
Make a time-lapse film of a plant growing using a movie camera with single-frame capability.

Social Science

Trace the path of a fruit or vegetable from the field to the table.
Identify activities related to having a garden or farm and identify everyone who contributes to these jobs in your community.
Explore traditional ways to grow, hunt, fish, harvest or prepare food.
Plant a three sisters garden.
Discuss climate change and its impact on our food system.

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