Some schools might teach students about food, but Stephen prefers to teach with food.

Stephen believes that the art and science of growing food translates into the art and science of growing academic performance and healthy students that become active participants in their communities. He uses his gardens to cover many different curriculum areas--something which he calls "farming across the common core ". Try to envision what that could mean for your classroom. Could your classroom garden become a hands-on lab for science class? A pantry for home economics recipes or a workshop for physics lessons? How about the subject of reading, writing or art assignments?

As you read through this section of the Guide, think about how the garden could increase student engagement levels and get students excited to participate in classroom activities. As curricula vary, we've organized this section of the Guide into general topics, rather than specific subjects or grade levels.

1. Creating Habits: The habits that children establish early in life will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Here we talk about how to use the garden to help form healthy habits in your students.
2. Reading (with Plants): Encourage reading and oral communication by having students read to (or with) the plants. (Trust us on this one, it works wonders).
3. Language/ Vocabulary: How to use your garden to improve students' vocabulary.
4. Science: Stephen practices what he calls "farming across the common core." This page discusses how to cover important curriculum subjects using the garden as a platform.
5. Organic Math: Make math fun by giving students practical illustrations of basic math principles.
6. Social Studies: Gardening activities can be used to teach students about specific historical events and cultures, and also to introduce current events, like how governments are facing challenges related to changes in the global climate.
7. Creative Writing & Art: The garden provides endless opportunities to inspire students' writing assignments.
8. Food & Nutrition What better way to teach students about food and nutrition than by letting them grow their own vegetables? This section also covers how to cook nutritious plant-based recipes with students.