The Growing Classroom Workshop

The Growing Classroom: An Introduction to Garden Based Learning Audience:  Anyone interested or involved in garden-based learning Location and Cost Options: Life Lab's Garden Classroom on the UC Santa Cruz Campus: $300/participant (2 days) or Your site (in California): $1,500 for 1 day or $2,800 for 2 days, plus travel for one trainer.  25 participant maximum. or Growing Classroom Workshops held outside of California are hosted in collaboration with the National Gardening Association. Click here to learn more. Check our workshop page for scheduled workshop dates here at our Garden Classroom or contact us to set up a workshop in your region. 1 unit of semester credit available per day

Chime Charter School Teachers sharing their Sensual Soil Lesson - Soil Rap at a Growing Classroom Workshop.

Workshop Description

This two-day workshop, located at the amazing Garden Classroom or at your school site, is ideal for those interested in supplementing their existing science program with garden-based learning. Using The Growing Classroom activity guide for grades 2-6, you’ll experience hands-on activities, learn basic science concepts and gardening techniques, and develop management strategies for a school gardening program. Find out how to teach the standards while you guide students through the natural cycles of the garden. You’ll receive Life Lab’s 480 page book, The Growing Classroom as well as many other ideas and resources. Two days 9:00-3:30.  One-day Growing Classroom workshops can also be arranged.

Key Workshop Components

Learn ...

• How to lead garden-based learning activities from The Growing Classroom activity guide.
• Basic gardening skills, including composting, making seed flats, preparing garden beds, transplanting, and garden planning

Discuss ...

• The Life Lab approach to Science
• How to make outdoor, inquiry-based education work for different student populations
• The resources inside of The Growing Classroom activity guide, including sections on:  Creating a garden, garden-based learning activities, gardening "how to's," and connecting garden-based learning to academic content standards.

Take home ...

• The Growing Classroom activity guide
• An action plan for your school garden

View a sample workshop agenda.

 

Participant Comments:

This workshop "far surpassed my expectations - excellent info from presenter and participants."

"I received a wonderful experience that will boost and sustain my quest for a learning garden area for my school."

"This is exactly what we will need to further the commitment of a garden program district-wide."

"We will be able to implement your program at each school -- easily!"

"The book and demonstration lessons were great."  I came away with "the knowledge that Life Lab can be used for teaching in every subject [and] lots of ides to improve our life lab."

"I received what I expected and a whole lot more!  I'm very pleased with all of the great info and ideas!"

I came away with "lovely lesson ideas [and] renewed enthusiasm for the bigger picture."

"Workshops like this are very helpful."

View all scheduled upcoming workshops.

All workshops require advanced registration and deposit. 

To set up a workshop for your school site, please call Life Lab Science Program at (831) 459-4035 or email us at gardendirector@lifelab.org.