Around the World in the Garden: Growing Curriculm
Emerson Junior High School, Davis, CA
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Emerson Junior High School is located in the Central Valley, where it is hot and dry in the summer, and cold, but not freezing, in the winter. The student population is about 500. The garden is mainly in-ground beds on about a half acre. Five years ago, there was nothing but asphalt and bare dirt. It now features a diversity of crops that range from grains, to annuals, perennials and herbs. |
The Emerson garden program developed over several years, originating with interest among a few passionate teachers and parent volunteers. With vision and persistence, they worked with the school district, and school administrators to establish a true learning environment. Parent volunteers helped provide inspiration, encouragement and support to expand the garden program to its existing size. While relatively small, it hosts over 300 species and attracts a wide variety of insects. In addition, students are actively involved in composting, as they work to increase the fertility of the soil.
The original garden was begun by science students, and now has expanded to include social studies, math, Spanish, language arts, art, industrial arts and special education students. This could not have happened without the help of two particularly dedicated parent volunteers, Marlene Sisemore and Patricia Carpenter, who worked with administrators, teachers and students to teach about the importance of gardening. They also worked with teachers to develop a variety of garden-based learning curriculum that is used for all social studies classes. Culinary activities, featuring the produce harvested from the garden, are also a distinctive feature of this program.
Emerson’s Garden Curriculum
Emerson’s outstanding feature is a rich set of curricula that takes students around the world, combined with a garden of crops designed to support core subjects.
Tips from Emerson's Garden Team
Suggestions for types of plants appropriate to a Middle School Garden curriculum.
Sustaining the Garden Program
How did we get here? What keeps us going? Sustaining school garden programs is a challenge. Emerson has developed a variety of unique logistical tools and gardening best practices for sustaining their program.