Dr. Bumblebee's Nature Garden School

“How this Curriculum Works” Explanation for teachers and parents:

This curriculum was designed to teach kids and their parents how to grow a garden, follow permaculture principles, forage for wild edibles and crafting materials, and find wonder in nature.  Each week we will focus on one topic and one permaculture principle. Several activities are listed for each week to illustrate the permaculture principle and to expand upon our chosen topic. 

The basic learning components that are the main focus of this course are the raised bed gardens that will be referred to as the Pizza Garden and the Tea Garden.    One of these two beds needs to be implemented in order to follow the curriculum.  That means that you need to have at least a 4 x4 ft space to make one of these gardens.  There are additional garden-based activities that require more space if you have it and a forest walk is incorporated into every session as well.  So having access to a forest or public space for a hike is recommended. 

Some activities will build on each other week after week and are therefore required in order to be able to follow the subsequent activities.  These activities focus on the school garden which is the keystone of the entire program.  Oftentimes, the lessons will build on the previous weeks’ lessons, so try not to skip anything involving the main garden.  Of course, if time does not permit thorough attention to an important aspect of the garden, such as watering or pest control, then the primary teacher will be responsible for taking care of the needs of the garden when the class is not in session. 

Several worksheets will also be provided throughout the program for kids to fill out. These need to be printed out before each class or they can be copied into their Garden Journal during the schooling period.  After the activities provided, a list of supplies needed will be listed for both the teacher and the students.  The Garden Journal, along with writing and drawing materials, will be required every week.  We will introduce the idea of a Materia Medica for our budding herbalists, as well. This can be included as a separate journal for older students or integrated into the garden journal for younger students.

Suggested books, links, or additional reading materials will also be listed at the end of each week’s curriculum before the worksheet for that week.  There are no tests or grading required to follow the curriculum.  It is up to the judgment of the teacher to follow the learning style of the students in the class.  Interrupting “class time” with play time will be up to the discretion of the teacher. Writing assignments are limited and, in some cases, optional in order to allow for a more fluid class teaching style.