Gardening - A Living Classroom

With grocery bills climbing and product availability beginning to be a concern, your family gardening efforts are likely seeming more essential and even vital. Gardening can provide a much-needed supplement to your freezer and pantry storage efforts. In addition, it can enrich your homeschool curriculum by blending science, math, life skills, health, environmental studies, history, fine arts, and spiritual awareness into one single activity. 

 
Garden projects vary among families, depending on circumstances. Some families plant personal gardens. Others participate in homeschool group or community gardens. Some use raised beds. Some use pots and containers. Faith, butterfly, and herb gardens are popular with families, as well.

Students learn about plant life and water cycles, soil science, and environmental conservation to reinforce the wonder of God’s creation. Character traits like patience, responsibility, charity, and problem-solving skills are developed. A garden journal to record planting dates, weather, and observations encourages writing and helps to demonstrate God’s providence. Add art by including plant sketches or dried flowers to the garden journal, too. 

Lessons learned extend well beyond the growing of seeds to include learning about insects, local predators, weather and the interconnectedness of nature. Very young children can plant seeds that bear familiar foods, such as lettuces and radishes, in order to connect with the idea of where their food comes from. Real-world, practical skills are gained, as well as a love of nature and a tendency toward healthier eating habits.

By integrating gardening into your homeschool curriculum, you can turn a simple outdoor activity into rich, year-long lessons where hand-on learning, faith, and character grow side by side. HOME's gardening unit and nature study journaling unit are available to assist families in maximizing the learning process!  

Build community! Join us in our Fun and Fitness Facebook group to tell ius about your garden! Share photos, questions, tips, books, and gardening lessons!  

Homeschoolers are a do-it-yourself kind of people! Learn more about the skills that will serve your family well in times such as these. Read more.

“For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.”   -- Isaiah 61:11