Joey’s Tips for Teachers

Create garden spaces and activities for each grade level.

• Little Farmers Garden for 5^th and 6^th graders
• GourdGarden for 7^th graders
• NorthFortyGarden for 7^th and 8^th graders

Create ownershipfor the students through hands-on projects—

• propagating and growing plants
• tending the garden—having real tasks to complete
• creating a special habitat for the turtle                            

Let students socialize while they work.

• Students at this level are all about socializing.  Mr. Somawang doesn’t mind their talking as long as they…
• “Stay on task! Stay on task!”

Break groups into smaller units of 6 – 8 students and give them specific jobs.

• Rotate students into the role of “Crew Boss.”
• This way, each student has a chance to take responsibility for maintaining the garden. 
• Be sure to rotate in both girls and guys.

Create venues that give students the chance to display and/or sell their wares—farmers market on campus; spring and fall festivals, etc.

• In the North Forty, they grow grape vines.
• In wood shop, students then make wine bottle stoppers and show them at the Fresno County Fair.

Explore creative ways to link the garden to social studies, science, math, art and language arts.  Joey, Ms. Herrick and the social studies teacher, Mr. Snyder all work together to keep the agriculture and gardening integrated with other subjects.

Hold a KidFest

• At Baird, they hold a KidFest a couple times a year, and students bring foods specific to their ethnic group. Food becomes a vehicle for appreciating other cultures.