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MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR SEPT 10TH
Free seedlings, compost, straw available for pickup for priority Title 1 schools in D.C.
Learn gardening basics like what you can plant now, how to transplant seedlings, and how to manage a garden sustainably.
*Current Educator Coaching Program schools arrive at 10am to meet your cohort.*
Read below for garden tips from Emilia so you know what you need when you attend.
Register now!
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SPROUT FIELD TRIPS ARE BACK!
This Spring marked the return of on-site field trips to the Washington Youth Garden following two years of virtual programming. We welcomed 550 students back to our garden for exciting, hands-on field trips exploring various themes including: Basic plant anatomy, pollination, soil & compost, nutrition, and more! We also introduced new pre- and post- trip virtual sessions to introduce classes to their chosen theme, prepare them for their trip, and reflect upon what they learned and experienced.
For more information on this fall's offerings, check here. Register for a field trip below.
-Ehren
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SETTING THE TONE FOR GARDEN TIME
Each fall, every teacher starts the year by introducing their students to the expectations they have in their classrooms.
For many students, outdoor time is perceived as play time. To shift the focus to learning time outdoors, if you don't already, include your outdoor classroom or school garden as a part of your routine.
When students visit the Washington Youth Garden on field trips, we always use the same three garden agreements:
- Pick with permission
- Stay on the path
- Respect all living things
These agreements allow us to ensure all students stay safe and engaged throughout their visit.
Want more ideas on setting up your outdoor classroom routines and strategies? Check out our Outdoor Group Management techniques document.
-Brianne
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FOODPRINTS FALL LESSONS
With the start of the school year, it's a great time to reintroduce your students to the garden. The FoodPrints curriculum provides many great introduction lessons for grades Prek-5th during the fall. Have students explore the garden through learning about plant parts, cooking, ecosystems, seed dispersal, and more! Browse the rest of their curriculum here.
-Ashley
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WHAT SEEDS ARE YOU PLANTING?
Even if all you do this year outdoors is plant carrots, remember that you are creating positive experiences with growing food. That is a figurative seed that will stay with your students long after they're in your class. It might stay dormant for years, and then with the right book or experience (like water or nutrients), start to grow and transform your once student into an environmental steward, farmer, or urban gardener, like growing one watermelon plant did for me when I was in 3rd grade.
Read on to learn why growing an edible garden can transform yourself, your students, and the world.
The Healing Power of Garden Class by Danielle Dreilinger
-Allie
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HOW TO JUMP START A FALL GARDEN
Learn what to plant now for quick harvests, how to transition your space from summer to fall while Building Healthy Soil, and how to use Cover Crop to increase your garden's health and productivity.
- Rye, Hairy Vetch, Clover, and Field Peas (a good Spring cover crop) are all visible below
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UPDATE FROM OUR SUMMER
In early July, the School Garden Support team hosted our fifth annual Summer Institute for Garden-based Teaching! This year we had 32 participants from 13 different schools in D.C. with 11 of those schools bringing multiple team members.
Garden teams of educators, school staff, administration, and volunteers create stronger networks of support within each school.
We got silly (can you tell we were each being our favorite plant part from Plant Yoga above?), danced to the Save Soil movement soundtrack, and were inspired by trees and our fellow educators' school gardens. We wiggled like insects through the Washington Youth Garden, harvested fruits and vegetables, transplanted cucumbers, and used backwards design to make realistic goals and action plans for the new school year.
Summer Institute alumni teams are eligible for our Educator Coaching Program where we offer more targeted support during the school year. Our seasonal cohort trainings for garden-based teaching (including our Fall into School Gardening event) are open to any educator.
Many thanks to Sam Ullery and the OSSE team for funding.
-Ashley & Allie
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UPCOMING EVENTS & RESOURCES | |
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Teaching in Nature's Classroom: free online course
Sept 2-December 19
Registration is open now for the free, self-paced course from Rooted, LifeLab, and the Wisconsin School Garden Network.
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The Well at Oxon Run
A Ward 8 resident-led space
The Well is an intergenerational farm and community wellness space in the Congress Heights neighborhood.
Free events like chi gong, body therapy, community drumming, and yoga, as well as volunteer hours are open to the community.
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We find a lot of resources like these through other garden-based newsletters we subscribe to. Receive OSSE's Sprout it Out newsletter below.
Sign up for the separate Sprout it Out email group here to join D.C. garden educators resource and knowledge sharing.
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Come see us next time you're at the National Arboretum!
The Arboretum is open every day from 8 AM - 5 PM except December 25th. Some buildings and collections remain closed to ensure visitor and staff safety.
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