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Pizza Garden Project Curriculum Guide
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Pizza Garden Project Curriculum Guide
Aim The Pizza Garden project will provide resources and activities to teach basic plant biology, basic environmental science, human nutrition, cooking and explore the cultural construction of growing and eating food for students in the 3rd grade.
Rationale City (and suburban) children are typically alienated from the source of the food they eat. The gardening activities are intended to involve students in the cultivation of edible plants. This experience will be enriched by a group of web-based lessons that will give students an understanding of the way plants function, as well as, the history of the plants they might grow in a pizza garden, their biology, their environmental needs and their culinary applications.

Audience &
prerequisites

The Pizza Garden is geared to begin at the 3rd grade, but it is a module that can easily be expanded to cover higher grades as well as intergenerational groups. It is necessary that the participants can read on the third-grade level and are able to use a mouse and keyboard to navigate through a website.

Description of subject-matter

Biology: Definition of a seed; Identification of plant parts; Identification of plant growth cycle; Nutrients needed for plant growth; photosynthesis

Environmental Science: Water Cycle; Soil Composition; Solar Power; Other creatures in the garden environment       

Human Nutrition: Food Groups; Calories as energy; Vitamins and minerals; Why we cook food

History and Geography: History of pizza; Where is Italy? History of individual plants in the garden; Where did they come from?

Learning objectives Applicable Illinois State Goals and objects.
Instructional plan

describes the activities the learners are going to engage in, and the sequence of those activities.  Also describes what the TEACHER is to do in order to facilitate those activities. (This is like the traditional "lesson plan" except for a curriculum it may include more than one lesson.)

Materials

lists materials necessary for successful teaching of the curriculum. Includes a list of web pages. Also includes the actual materials (worksheets and web pages) prepared by the curriculum developer, any special requirements for classroom setup and supplies, and a list of any specific hardware and software requirements.

Plans for assessment & evaluation

Iincludes plan for assessing learning and evaluating the curriculum as a whole. May include description of a model project, sample exam questions, or other elements of assessment.  Also should include plan for evaluating the curriculum as a whole, including feedback from learners.

Books, Links & Other Sources of Good Information and Equipment

Books
DOWN TO EARTH, Garden secrets, Garden Stories, Garden Projects You Can Do. Rosen, Editor. A project of Share our Strength (the nation's leading anti-hunger organization), this wonderful new book is a compilation of stories and pictures about gardening from forty-one children's book authors and illustrators. This inspirational book also features thirty-three adventures you can enjoy in your own garden and kitchen, from making pole-bean tents to growing giant watermelons or fixing a dandelion salad. Contributors to this book donated their writings so that the proceeds from the sale of the book go directly to assist community gardening projects.
  THE GREAT SEED MYSTERY FOR KIDS by Peggy Henry Published by Harper Collins ISBN 1-880281-11-2 Summary: Projects and experiments demonstrate the significance of seeds, how and why they grow, and how to plant and care for a garden.
DIGGING DEEPER, Integrating Youth Gardens into Schools and Communities. Keifer, Kemple. As the Chinese proverb goes "every flower of every tomorrow is in the seeds of today." This guide offers an indispensable cornucopia of practical ideas for educators interested in utilizing gardens to grow both food and ideas. While the media pounds the concept that life fulfillment comes through buying more things, school gardens offer students authenticity, deep appreciation for the real, lasting relationships, fresh air and exercise. With land and some simple tools, students will soon be reaping the benefits of these gardening programs, including the tasty joys of garden fresh produce. Grades K-8
BEYOND THE BEAN SEED, Gardening Activities for Grades K-6. Jurenka, Blass. This activity book connects gardening with literacy and children's literature. As early as 1916, John Dewey came out in strong support of gardening as a core part of childhood education. He understood that gardening can be a template for the study of science, art and literature. In this guide, each section (botany, flowers, vegetables, fruits, garden habitats, ecology, soils, etc.) combines gardening tips with creative projects that integrate with other disciplines. For teachers, parents, camp directors - anyone involved in children's gardening programs
THE CHILDREN'S KITCHEN GARDEN, A Book of Gardening, Cooking and Learning. Brennan. Designed to "awaken the senses of children" by teaching them to grow and appreciate fresh and healthful foods, this book contains fascinating projects for children and adults to explore together. This book is based on a program developed in a California school where it received rave reviews. Includes cultural instructions for vegetables and herbs, along with dozens of recipes children can help prepare. A celebration of the joys of growing, cooking, and sharing fresh food with children
  USING PLANTS TO BRIDGE THE GENERATIONS. Lalli, Tennessen, Lockhart. A superb tool for linking the generations, encouraging the elderly to increase physical and mental activity while introducing grade school children to the concepts and joys of horticulture. Learning from elders, human companionship, and volunteer help become additional bonuses. Activities include planning an outdoor garden, planting bulbs and seeds, drying flowers, building birdhouses, making terrariums and a cornucopia of seasonal activities. Appendix includes directions for raised-bed gardens, gardening timelines and program evaluation criteria. Grades 1-6
  JANE BRODY'S GOOD FOOD BOOK.Brody, Jane. Toronto, Canada:  Bantam Books, 1985.
  THE SCIENCE CHEF. D'Amico, Joan & Drummond.  New York:  Wiley & Sons, Inc.
  ROOTS, SHOOTS, BUCKETS & BOOKS. Lovejoy, Sharon. New York:  Workman Publishing Company, Inc. l999.
  FANNY AT CHEZ PANISSE. Waters, Alice.New York, New York:  Tango Rose, Inc., l992.
A. C.O.R.E. Teacher's Edition from the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Equipment & Things
Worms Cape Cod Worm Farm: http://members.aol.com/capeworms/private/wormhome.htm.capeworms@aol.com
Flowerfield Enterprises: http://www.wormwoman.comnancy@wormwoman.com
Let's Get Growing: http://www.letsgetgrowing.com

Web Links

  Kindergarden: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/kindergarden/
  Museum of Science & Industry Environmental Science: http://www.msichicago.org/ed/env/envhome.html
 

Bean There Grown That: http://www.curiousco.com/ is ideal for your 3rd through 6th grade science curriculum. It works well in either classroom or computer lab, guided by a teacher or self-paced by students. Teachers appreciate the focus on hands-on science learning as well as the emphasis on using the computer as a complementary tool. The Teacher's Guide and Teacher's Program are extremely helpful for lesson preparation and grading.

  Science Museum of Minnesota http://www.sci.mus.mn.us especially the book links /sln/tf/nav/bookscluster.html
  American Horticulture Society: http://www.helsinki.fi/kmus/bothort.html
  The Bulb Society: http://www.bulbsociety.com/
  National Gardening Association http://www2.garden.org/nga/home.html
  Rot Web: http://net.indra.com/~topsoil/Teacher_Resources.html Resources for composting and worms.
  Seeds of Change http://www.nmnh.si.edu/garden/ A Curriculum based on plants from the old and new worlds
  Fast Plants: http://fastplants.cals.wisc.edu/ A quick way to gardening gold.
  A Great List of the Uses of Herbs (dyeing, cooking, medicinal, etc.)
Good Site of Local Ecosystem Lessons

Field Trips
  Garfield Park Conservatory Educational Programs: Guided tours and hands-on environmental classes are available for students grades pre-K - 12 from schools, parks, and community-based organizations. A minimal cost (approximately $3) is charged per participant.
 

Chicago Botanical Garden

Bee'n a Bug (Grades 2-6) Explore insect life cycles. Compare insects' growth needs and the relationships they share with humans. Take a closer look at how insects change forms through metamorphosis. Enjoy their garden habitats as your class adventures through the Garden. Each student will build his/her own garden insect to take home. Materials fee $1.25/student

Plant and Harvest (Pre K-4) Visit a part of the new Children's Garden and discover "intercropping," a historical way to plant seeds. Students will observe, predict and infer plant growth cycles, while in an authentic vegetable garden setting. As a special treat, each student will harvest a plant to take home. (On arrival, your bus will be directed to take you to the Children's Garden for class.) Materials fee $1.25/student

Programs and Classes for Teachers
 

Chicago Flower and Garden Show
  Internet Directory for Botany -- Gardening