Great School Garden Resource

While searching the web for school garden resources, I stumbled upon Florida Bureau of Curriculum and Instruction's website.  Not only does Florida's Board of Education support school gardens but they have a fabulous list of resources for educators.

Rather than reinvent the wheel, I encourage you to check out their website for inspiration.

In particular, I loved the page about lesson plans.  One of my favorite ideas--the "Mix-A-Salad" Game--was in the "Team Nutrition Fruits and Vegetables Lesson Plans for Preschool Children."

1. Children stand in a circle to form a pretend bowl.
2. Each child is given a picture of a fruit or vegetable.
3. The leader says "I'm going to make a salad...and in my salad I am going to have _________ (name of a fruit or vegetable) that is _________ (say an action). 
• Suggested actions include:
• Twirling
• Jumping
• Running
• Hopping
• Waving
• Flying
• Dancing
• Clapping
• Kicking
• Rolling their arms
• Walking on tip-toes
• Splashing
4. After 3-4 fruits and vegetables are called, the leader says "Let's stir up the salad!" Then all those in the center scramble around, and all those forming the bowl make stirring motions until the leader says, "Stop! Let's eat."
5. All the children fall down, rub their tummies, and say "Yum, that was a good salad!" 
6. Play again calling different fruits or vegetables to the salad bowl.

What a fun and wonderful activity!

Thanks Florida Board of Education for the great resources and for your support of school gardens!