EDU 4640 GARDEN-BASED LEARNING

The purpose of this course is to support school gardens in the local community. Students will facilitate planned and emergent lessons during after-school garden clubs, collaborate with teachers at partnering schools, and assist with the maintenance of school gardens, including planting, harvesting, composting, and watering. In addition to curriculum development, instructional methods, and assessment strategies, students will also learn about environmental literacy, sustainability education, nature pedagogy, food justice, and antiracism. Prior teaching experience is not required.

Credits

4 sh

Offered

• Spring

Notes

This course may be offered every other spring semester

1. Describe exemplary garden-based learning practices
2. Understand the components and complexities of maintaining a school garden
3. Explain experiential learning theory, environmental literacy, sustainability education, nature pedagogy, and food justice
4. Recognize the roles that culture and identity play in teaching and learning
5. Approach garden-based learning through an antiracist lens
6. Design standards-based lessons that meet the needs of diverse learners
7. Facilitate a safe, inclusive, and collaborative learning environment
8. Apply assessment strategies that enhance student learning
9. Evaluate curriculum materials, instructional methods, and programming related to garden-based learning