We will… Consider how to integrate the school garden into your curriculum

With your team:  How did you use the garden to support student learning last year?  How do you plan on integrating the garden into your curriculum this year?  Create a concept map to illustrate learning in each subject area

 What is nutrition?  How can we engage students in nutrition, health and wellness?

 the act or process of nourishing or being nourished; specifically : the sum of the processes by which an animal or plant takes in and utilizes food substances

 Humans need a variety of healthy foods, exercise and rest in order to grow and maintain good health LE 5.3a  Good health includes…eating a balanced diet and engaging in regular exercise. LE 5.3b  The health, growth, and development of organisms are affected by environmental conditions such as the availability of food, air, water, space, shelter, heat and sunlight LE 5.2g  Food supplies the energy and materials necessary for growth and repair LE 4.2b

 Ask students to record their food intake daily. Was it nutritious? How do they know?  Assess the attitude and behavior of the school community about eating fresh, locally grown foods.  Learning about “food deserts”, or areas lacking access to fresh food, in the local community.

 Design the most nutritious garden bed.  Define “most nutritious”.  Form a hypothesis (i.e. “The plants we’ve chosen are the most nutritious because…”)  Each team will present their ideas and receive feedback

 The USDA recently redesigned the image associated with its recommendations for a healthy diet from the “Food Pyramid” to “My Plate”.  Plant a garden that represents the “My Plate” graphic.

 The new design is a better graphic representation of the USDA’s idea of a “healthy diet”. The plate is divided into food group portions and recommends at least 50% of your daily diet is fruits and vegetables, slightly more vegetables than fruits, and 50% of your diet is grains and proteins, slightly more grains than proteins.

 It is probably not possible, or is seriously impractical, to grow all of the plants representing your “Nutritious Garden” here in NYC in a small raised garden bed.  The following are some things to keep in mind when winnowing your “wish” list into a thoughtful and likely to succeed garden design.

 NYC is located in USDA Hardiness Zone 6B, meaning our average minimum temperature is approximately -20C. We usually have approximately 6 months of frost free weather between May and October. Not every plant can survive our winter, while others do not grow well in our summer.

 How much room does the plant need to grow? How wide, tall, deep, does it get?

 How much, if any, direct sunlight does the plant need to grow? Does the garden site afford this much direct light? Will the plant receive this much direct sunlight if it is growing next to a plant that is 5’ tall?

 Soil pH affects plant growth. Most vegetables grow well in ph 6, though some prefer more acidic or basic soil pH conditions.

 Some plants are prone to common diseases and pests. Be prepared to recognize these problems and employ organic techniques to prevent or treat issues that arise.

 Wrap Up  Review of resources on NING  Next Steps