Resources
...compiled by Brad Shone, CERES, Melbourne
Gardening with Children
Kindergarden: An introduction to the many ways children can interact with plants and the outdoors.
Ideas for gardening with kids.in school and community gardens available at
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/kindergarden/kinder.htm
Gardening Launchpad
www.gardeninglaunchpad.com/kids.html Loads of links to activities and curriculum for gardening with children
The Ian Potter Children’s Garden, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne
This magical garden is designed to encourage children’s ‘delight in nature’ and ‘discover a passion for plants’. It ‘celebrates the imagination and curiosity of childrens and fosters the creative nature of play’. Information at www.rbg.vic.gov.au/projects/childrens/index.html
Gaia’s Garden, Living Earth Games Pty Ltd.
A co-operative board game where players plant vegies and outwit pests using organic methods. $29.50.
Most local libraries have books about gardening with children.
Gardening with schools
Dig in: Creating an Edible School Garden. Queensland Health (2003)
Comprehensive guide to the gardening aspects of school learnscapes including gardening methods, site analysis, tools, maintenance, worm farms, plant selection and calendar, and pests and diseases. 65pp.Free. Can be ordered at http://www.health.qld.gov.au/activeate
Greening School Grounds: Creating Habitats for Learning, Grant, Tim and Gail Littlejohn, (eds), 2001, Green Teacher, Toronto
This anthology from the Canadian Green Teacher magazine includes step-by-step instructions for numerous schoolyard projects, for reception to year 12. Articles on rooftop gardens, practical tips on minimising vandalism, maximising participation and raising funds, outdoor classroom activities and curriculum links.144pp. ISBN 0-86571-436-3. Table of contents and orders at http://www.greenteacher.com/gsg.html
The Edible Schoolyard www.edibleschoolyard.org
This middle school garden in the US has been an inspiration to many school gardens. The site contains resources and tips for starting a school garden, the process of their garden’s creation, lesson plans, and lots of useful information.
“The Case For More High School Gardens” in Urban Agriculture Notes. Wei Fang
Available at http://www.cityfarmer.org/highschool77.html
School and Community Cooperative Landcare Projects: Best practice guide, PIRSA Sustainable Resources Group (2000) PIRSA, Adelaide
Available from Primary Industries and Resources, 101 Grenfel St Adelaide, or can be downloaded from www.affa.gov.au/corporate_docs/publications/pdf/nrm/landcare/school_landcare.pdf
Organisations & Programs
Australian Association of Environmental Educators
AAEE seeks to foster education for a sustainable future by developing people’s understandings of the interrelationships between the elements of their environments and positive attitudes towards them. The Association brings together educators from diverse areas such as schools, universities and further education centres, industry, field study centres, zoos, museums, parks, State and local government agencies, community and conservation groups http://users.chariot.net.au/~aaee/ you can
, Phone: (08) 8344 4966 (Convenor) or (08) 8264 1778 (Secretary) Fax: (08) 8395 7778
Sustainable Schools Program
Becoming a sustainable school as part of the Qld Sustainable Schools Program will involve your school developing ways of including environmental action and sustainable practices in all areas of learning, decision-making and school management. Having created a whole school plan for becoming sustainable, your school will take action to make it happen.
Learning with gardens
A Children’s Food Forest: An Outdoor Classroom
Nuttall, Carolyn (1996) Food Forests and Learnscapes in Education, Brisbane
Based on a school garden project in Brisbane. Curriculum focus. Permaculture perspective. 72pp. AU$15 plus $3 p&p
The Environmental Workshop: Valuable Learning Outcomes in School Gardens
Nuttall, Carolyn and Mary-Anne Cotter (1999) Dellasta, Vic
Teaching resources for involving children in the development and maintainance of school gardens, and for linking gardening to curricula. Primary school focus. Many worksheets included. 48pp. ISBN 1 875 640 428. AU$20 + $3.50 p&p within Australia. Both Carolyn’s books can be obtained from the author Ph 07 3844 7272 or
Primary School Excursions in Landcare Education: Teachers’ Resource Book
Fairfield City Farm (1995) Fairfield City Council and Dept. of Land and Water Conservation NSW
A guide for teachers bringing primary school students on excursions to Fairfield City Farm. Includes activities at the farm and in the class room, worksheets, background information for learning about animals, local history and permaculture, and links to curriculum outcomes. 57pp. ISBN 0 7310 5035 5
Heritage Fruit and Nut Trees in Schools: A bridge from past to future generations
Jude Fanton and collaborators have prepared this kit for students in years five to ten. Includes activities based around a story of a boy and his grandmother. Download from http://www.seedsavers.net/schoolgardens/
Bio-what? A starter kit for primary schools to conserve and promote biodiversity in their school community
SA Urban Forest Biodiversity Program (1998)
Lesson plans for upper primary school students linked to the SACSA curriculum framework. Includes many ideas easily adapted to use with school gardens. Available from SA Urban Forest Biodiversity Program www.urbanforest.on.net
Children’s Participation
Hart, R (1997) Earthscan UK
Involving young people in community development and environmental programs.
Special Places, Special People
Titman, W WWF UK in association with Learning Through Landscapes.
Available from Australian Association of Environmental Educators http://users.chariot.net.au/~aaee/
Grounds for Celebration
Learning through Landscapes 1995
A 14 minute video excellent for presentations to the school community. Available from Australian Association for Environmental Educators http://users.chariot.net.au/~aaee/
Learning through Landcare
Department of Primary Industries Forest Service (1994), DPI Brisbane
