Farm to School Education
Lessons and Curriculum
Whether studying nutrition, cooking, gardening, agriculture or food systems, farm to school activities can also be used to teach standards in math, science, and language arts. Farm to school education can be done in the classroom, the cafeteria, the school garden, on field trips, or even while waiting in line for lunch. Additionally, when kids learn about food and where it comes from, they are more likely to make healthier eating choices and are more willing to try new foods. For more benefits of farm to school education, click here.
There are so many great resources that have been developed to help educators incorporate farm to school lessons into the school day, afterschool programs, or summer programs and camps. Below are links to help you find resources and lessons for specific grades, many of which are already linked to Common Core or Next Generation Science standards. Also check out our recommended reading list and lessons that are specific to Montana!
Looking for resources for the littlest eaters? Click here for farm to early care and education resources and lessons.
We would love to hear about any farm to school activities you have come up with or found that other educators may enjoy. Please share your story.
| Grades | Resource | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| K-8 |
This award-winning resource book for educators contains 480 pages of science, math, language arts, and nutrition activities that you can do with your students in the garden. Asearchable online database cross-maps each activity to Next Generation Science and Common Core Math and English Language Arts Standards. |
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| K-8 |
Searchable database of lessons by grade, topic area, and season. |
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| 3-4 |
A standards-based gardening nutrition curriculum. |
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| 5-6 |
Ten inquiry-based lessons that engage students in growing, harvesting, tasting, and learning about fruits and vegetables. |
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| All |
Common Core and Next Generation Science in the Garden database links lessons with standards.Some curricula for purchase. |
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| PreK-5 |
Search this database for programs and challenges to incorporate sustainability into your lessons. |
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| K-8 |
All activities were designed to support mathematics and science standards and were extensively trial-tested by educators and youth leaders nationwide. |
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| K-8 | Montana Ag in the Classroom | Linked to Common Core standards |
| 2-5 | Discover Montana Treasures Activities | Print this accompanying poster of Montana-grown foods. Printed posters available upon request. |
| All | KidsGardening.org | Find hands-on learning experiences for all grade levels. |
| K-5 | Montana Harvest of the Month Program | You must register for this program to receive lessons and promotional materials. |
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Author
|
Title
|
|---|---|
|
Borden, Lisa |
The Tale of Kale: Based on a Real Kid's Real Story |
|
Carle, Eric
|
The Tiny Seed
|
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Ehlert, Lois
|
Eating the Alphabet Growing Vegetable Soup |
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French, Vivien
|
Oliver's Vegetables
|
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Ganeri, Anita
|
From Bean to Bean Plant
|
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Gibbons, Gail
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The Milk Makers Apples: Apples From Seed to Plant |
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Gibson, Erica
|
Sell What You Sow
|
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Havill, Juanita
|
I Heard it From Alice Zucchini
|
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Jackson, Woody
|
A Cow's Alfalfa-bet
|
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Laske, Joe
|
Lentil Soup
|
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Maestro, Betsy
|
How do Apples Grow?
|
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Mattern, Joanne
|
How Peas Grow
|
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Morgan, Pierr
|
The Turnip
|
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Peck, Jan
|
The Giant Carrot
|
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Romero Stevens, Jan
|
Carlos and the Squash Plant
|
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Santucci, Barbara
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Anna's Corn
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Sayles Hughes, Meredith
|
Green Power: Leaf and Flower Vegetables
|
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Siracusa, Catherine
|
The Giant Zucchini
|
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Smith, Cathy
|
Plants on My Plate
|
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Stevens, Janet
|
Tops and Bottoms
|
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White, Linda
|
Too Many Pumpkins
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Williams-Paisley, Kimberly (with Gurney Williams III)
|
Henry and the Hidden Veggie Garden
|
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Grades
|
Resource
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
|
9-12
|
Lessons and activities for teaching nutrition to middle and high school students from Team Nutrition. |
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6-12
|
Lessons, books, movies and curricula compiled by a former high school teacher.
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9-12
|
The semester-long curriculum is designed to engage students in meaningful, hands-on
learning activities that also strengthen their school’s Farm to School program and
link them directly with farmers in their community.
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9-12
|
Standards-based, searchable curriculum map for all grade levels.
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6-12
|
Middle and high school lessons will be added in the future, but there are opportunities
for older students to engage in Harvest of the Month programming.
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Teens
|
Books for purchase and free curriculum and activities to introduce youth to food systems
and social issues.
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|
|
6-12
|
Search this database for programs and challenges to incorporate sustainability into
your lessons.
|
General Resources
Bringing Tribal Foods and Traditions Into Cafeterias, Classrooms, and Gardens
Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards webinar and additional resources for connecting garden education with standards
Thanks for visiting! Don’t forget to share any resources, links, or lessons that you
may have developed or utilized by sharing your story.
