The Garden Classroom: Hands-On Activities in Math, Science, Literacy, and Art

by Cathy James

Creative ways to use the garden to inspire learning, for kids ages 4-8

Packed with garden-based activities that promote science, math, reading, writing, imaginative play, and arts and crafts, The Garden Classroom offers a whole year of outdoor play and learning ideas—however big or small your garden.

Every garden offers children a rich, sensory playground, full of interesting things to discover and learn about. There's a whole lot of science happening right before their eyes. The garden can also be a place to develop math and literacy skills, as the outdoors offers up plenty of invitations to weave learning into everyday gardening. The garden classroom is a place where plants grow, and where children grow too.

Genres: Gardening, Education, Nonfiction, Parenting, Nature, Teaching, Science

232 pages, Paperback

First published April 7, 2015

Reviews

[Lorilin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many good gardening activities in here...

[Terri Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a top-notch book not just for classroom teachers in private and public schools but also for homeschool families, homeschool co-ops, scout troops, youth programs, and for any parent, teacher, grandparent, day care worker, or anyone who loves kids to use. There is something for everyone. You'll learn the basic of gardening in easy steps and then there are so many fantastic projects! You can help kids make a scarecrow, create fairy gardens, hold a snail race, cook some pesto with the basil they grew, discover edible flowers, and do all sorts of cool art projects. I wish I was a kid! I want to do all of this.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many great tips--this book is wonderful for my own two girls, ages 4 and 7.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really useful ideas for using your garden (or really just outside in general) for teaching
/reinforcing early academic concepts in a more natural way. Wish I’d read this in the spring as I think the garden journal in particular would have worked well for my kids.

[Lynda · Rating 2 out of 5]

A variety of nature based homeschool science nature projects that do not require a lot of supplies.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome little book

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and fun activity ideas for kids!

[Tim Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were a few good ideas in this book but for the most part it wasn't really what I was looking for. if you are thinking about starting a gardening program with kids this is probably not the book for you. In fact, I would venture to say that less than half the book is actually about gardening. And aside from that fact, all of it is for someone that has already established a garden.

If you are wanting to learn the mechanics of setting up a garden and teaching kids botany with practical advice (and recommendations for those of us with tight budgets) then keep searching.

[JoMama · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful gem of a book. It is going to be our guide for our summer homeschool. I love the ideas, the pictures, everything. It is a delightful read and magical book. Definitely a new classic for us as far as creative play projects go.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

a book to go back to for ideas