School Garden and Nutrition Education Programs
In support of school gardens, DUG offers an integrated nutrition and gardening curriculum to school communities. DUG workshops are taught inside and outside of the classroom and are held throughout the school year. On the basis of each school or teacher’s needs, the program is designed to be flexible enough to be shortened to a set of core lessons or designed to operate as an after school program.
The Curriculum
Our seasonal approach to teaching builds a bridge for students between gardening, nutrition and science. Between the classroom and garden, the full curriculum spans the 50 hours that evidence suggests is needed to impact individual behavior and knowledge in children. This year-round curriculum provides opportunities for student inquiry and investigation in earth and life sciences, with additional relevancy to math, literacy and social studies. Lessons are linked to Denver Public Schools Standards for easy integration into existing curriculum, and are written in a user-friendly format accessible to both teachers and volunteers. Click here to browse DUG's garden and nutrition curriculum.
The Volunteers
We believe the effectiveness of our work in school gardens is enhanced when it is supported by a committed group of volunteers, which might include on-site community gardeners, parents, grandparents or neighbors. In partnership with the University of Colorado School of Public Health, DUG initiated the Connecting Generations program by adapting the Experience Corps© model for intergenerational mentorship to bring older adult volunteers into schools to support and expand DUG’s school garden programming. The broad goals of the Connecting Generations program are to: strengthen school-based programming around gardens; support teachers and increase use of gardens year-round; support school science curriculum and improve academic achievement; improve the health and well-being of both the children and older adults; increase fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity; and strengthen social networks in the school community. Contact Jessica Romer, Community Initiatives Coordinator, about becoming a Connecting Generations volunteer.
Denver Youth Farmers’ Market Coalition
DUG, in partnership with Slow Food Denver, works with schools to coordinate summer youth-run farmer’s markets to bridge the school year, provide additional opportunities for learning, and establish year-round continuity between the volunteer mentors and the children. The youth markets offer healthy food to communities, promote nutrition, demonstrate healthy meal preparation in partnership with local chefs, and develop community capacity and leadership. Click here for the current schedule.
Helping Kids Get Healthy
A Workshop Series for Youth Educators
Denver Urban Gardens is offering seasonal School Garden and Nutrition Trainings to support facilitators and educators in teaching youth! Each train-the-trainer workshop will help you gain the skills needed to teach youth the basics of gardening and healthy eating. These are open to anyone wanting to work with youth, including teachers, parents, and volunteers. Teachers can earn professional professional development credits through these trainings. Click here to learn about upcoming workshops.
Denver School Garden Coalition
For over a decade, Denver Urban Gardens, Slow Food Denver, and Learning Landscapes have been collaborating on the grounds of Denver Public Schools to establish school/community gardens and associated education programs. The collaboration has manifested itself at dozens of DPS elementary schools, and has sought to serve the unique set of needs and circumstances within each school community, with the primary focus on student education and enrichment.
The Denver School Garden Coalition operating manual is intended for use by school and community partners and school districts in support of school gardens and related programming. Click here to view the manual.
