Garden Based Learning Program:
In the past, our school gardens have temporarily thrived under the direction of individual teachers or volunteers. However, when interest wanes or parent volunteers move on, the gardens quickly revert to a state of disuse. Because of the time constraints imposed by state standards, teachers and students do not have the time to devote the level of involvement that a school garden requires. To address these issues, Food For Thought has adapted a novel curriculum called “Growing Great”, developed by Marika Bergsund for the Manhattan Beach Unified School District. This curriculum integrates California academic teaching standards with hands-on garden projects for various grade levels.
To give all of our students a chance to get their hands dirty, we’ve also begun garden clubs at our elementary schools. Garden Club members volunteer time during recess
to help our Garden Coordinator weed, prune, and maintain our school gardens.
After five hours of time volunteered, Club members earn a Food For Thought cap.
At the end of the growing season, Garden Club members harvest the produce from dedicated garden boxes and sell it at their very own school farmers market, with proceeds going back into the Club’s kitty. At last count, Topa Topa’s Garden
Club had 70 members and has sold out of produce at every farmers market!
Food For Thought provides funding for a Garden Coordinator and a Garden Assistant to oversee garden volunteers and the garden program in all five OUSD elementary schools. These knowledgable folks work with teachers and students to keep our
school gardens thriving and used for lessons in nutrition, history, geography, math,
and science, as well as a wondrous place to play, relax, and taste and experience the
joys of gardening. We also provide funding for garden tools, supplies and
maintenance. We welcome volunteers to help us grow our garden program!
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