Growing Gardens for Growing Minds is an engaging new program offered by Santa Clara County Office of
Education, designed to reintroduce students and teachers to their school gardens. While having fun, children
will learn life sciences and gain an appreciation for where their food comes from. We believe we can help excite young
people to experience a deeper understanding of natural systems and become better stewards of the earth, by
cultivating and harvesting their own garden.
THE VISIT
A Garden Specialist will visit your school to involve teacher and class in a garden experience. The visit will
be 90 minutes and will require the assistance of parent volunteers and the classroom teacher. While visiting
various stations students will do hands on activities based in the garden.
THE COST
The cost is $100.00 for the 1st class and $75.00 for each additional class. Follow up visits are available for those interested. If you want a garden
specialist to visit your school please call the garden coordinator, Sarah Brummel directly at 472-4137 or contact
Walden West Center at (408) 867-5950.
OTHER PROGRAMS
School Year Programs
Summer Programs
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THE CURRICULUM
Grade specific curriculum is aligned to California State Standards. Each grade is full of hands on activities in
the garden.
Kindergarden: Dirt Detectives
A close inspection of soil will show students how much work goes into making soil. Students will plant seeds in different
soil types to see the effect this has on the seed's growth.
1st Grade: Seed Sprouts
Through exploring the different parts of a plant and planting seeds students will learn about plant life. Students will learn
what a plant needs to live and how various plant parts function.
2nd Grade: Busy Bees
A plant produces flowers to reproduce. Students will discover the art of pollination and look closely for
pollinators in the garden. A close look at seeds and planting of seeds will allow students to appreciate the
reproduction cycle of a plant.
3rd Grade: Garden Survivors
Both plants and animals have adaptations to help them survive. Students will hunt for plant adaptations and observe animal
adaptations in the garden.
4th Grade: Energy Round About
Energy flows in a cyclical pattern in natures. Students will plant seeds and explore where the seed gets energy to grow.
Investigating a compost bin will allow the decomposition process to come alive in their hands.
5th Grade: A Plant's Job
Plants work hard to grow. After dissecting a plant, students will look at each part individually to see how it helps
the plant grow. Students will explore photosynthesis and the transport of sugar, nutrients, and water.
6th Grade: CSI - Cycling Systems Investigation
Through observing nature in the garden students will discover the ability of a plant to capture the sun's energy. We will also see how energy is
transferred from plant to animal.
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