The class is STEAM related. Curriculum developed by Classroom in Bloom coincides with grade level NGS standards.

Cost: FREE with lunch included

School garden programs integrate classroom lessons with art and science disciplines into a dynamic, outdoor program for K-6 grade students. Classroom in Bloom’s team of educators will share curriculum developed for K-6 grade students which includes lessons, games, activities, and other educational tools that deepen art education while building a child’s sense of wonder and connection to nature. Teachers will learn how to inspire creativity for student learning and integrate state standard-based art education in the garden environment.

Elementary school teachers interested in teaching outdoor garden lessons that meet elementary school art and science standards. Any type of school garden can work for these lessons; one can easily incorporate a butterfly garden, vegetable garden, or area designated as native planting garden for this program.

Each participant will receive:

● Hands-on integrated lessons incorporating art and science education, while exploring children’s senses and wonder of nature;

● A copy of the Seeds to Schools Curriculum Guide – a curriculum covering multiple lessons per grade for North Central Washington garden art and science programs;

● Complete set of teaching activity tools such as hand lenses, laminated printouts, and other supplies for specific art lessons.

● Hands-on experience identifying, harvesting, and using plants and soils in a garden and native environment;

● Ideas and samples of garden snacks and seeds to include into school gardens;

● Continuing education credits for teachers.

This Professional Teaching Workshop is being offered in partnership by the Okanogan Conservation District and Classroom in Bloom.

Okanogan Conservation District works collaboratively with individuals and organizations to conserve natural resources in Okanogan County. They provide resource stewardship planning, conservation incentives, and adult and youth education. In the past ten years, Okanogan Conservation District provided quality standard based education for students K-12 in all of Okanogan County. District employees created a high school ecology course called Ecology of the Okanogan. The class connects resource professionals with high school students through field trips, class lectures, and data collection. Through this work, District employees formed and strengthened relationships with teachers at each school and have built a diversified network of educators.

Classroom in Bloom is a non-profit 501c3 farm to school program in existence for 20 years. The garden is on the Methow Valley School District campus. Staff teach K-12 garden and science education throughout the school year, science and children’s cooking classes during the winter months, and garden kids camps during the summer months. Elementary school classrooms visit the garden for one hour per week throughout the school year where children explore science activities and lessons taught by garden staff, participate in garden work activities and eat harvest snacks. Classroom in Bloom developed their own NGSS science curriculum for Methow Valley students, which it has expanded through its outreach, by teaching this garden curriculum at multiple schools with gardens throughout Okanogan County.