These workshops will give you insights on how to connect kids to the garden, and create, maintain and sustain youth garden projects. Also check out these helpful resources:
Just like a garden, our community is GROWING! Learn how to become an official partner, advertiser, and more! Contact us.
Square Foot Gardening Foundation Certified Speaker / Teacher Course
As you become certified, not only will you become more knowledgeable and able to create your own spectacular Square Foot Garden, but you will also have the opportunity to officially teach in your community and elsewhere.
Green Teacher Network 2010-2011 Workshops
Chicago's educational resource network for schools with gardens or “growing windowsills" that use gardening activities to support curricular goals. The first workshop will be at Tarkington Elementary School in Chicago on October 23rd.
Small Hands in the Garden: A Workshop for Early Intervention Providers
August 11 at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Fee: $75, Grade level: Birth-PreK, CPDU credit: 7, Early Intervention credit: 6, Lane credit: NA, Graduate credit: NA
Join us for a fun-filled day open to anyone who works with infants and toddlers. This workshop will focus on the importance of introducing nature to our youngest explorers. Participating in hands-on learning “stations” will inspire you to incorporate nature into your daily routine. This class is designed for persons who work with infants to three-year-olds, and is adaptable for those who work with preK children.
Plant It, Grow It, Eat It: Garden-Enhanced Nutrition Education
Sept 17, Life Lab, Santa Cruz, Calif. $150
1 unit of graduate education credit from the University of the Pacific
The Growing Classroom: An Introduction to Garden-Based Learning
Bringing Up Bookworms: Using Children’s Literature to Teach Plant Biology Exploring Desert Ecosystems
Sept 30-Oct 1, Life Lab, Santa Cruz, Calif. $300
1 unit of graduate education credit from the University of the Pacific
2010 National Conference: In Our Nature
Oct. 13 – 16 at the Chicago Botanic Garden
Conference Sessions: October 14 – 16, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Chicago educators are eligible to register for Saturday only and receive CPDUs.
Grade level: PreK-12
CPDU credit: 1 per hour, CPS Lane credit: 1, Graduate credit: 1
Recent research on psychological development and education has demonstrated the positive influence of exposing individuals of all ages and abilities to the natural world and plant rich environments. The Chicago Botanic Garden and the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA) will address the programs and benefits of interaction with nature at the 2010 AHTA Annual Conference / Chicago Botanic Garden 13th Annual School Garden Conference. Specifically, the conference program will focus on how nature, horticulture, and environmental studies are integrated in a variety of contexts to support educational, vocational, social, and therapeutic goals. Individuals with special challenges are recognized as an increasing segment of the general population, particularly as early diagnoses, medical technologies, and “mainstreaming” or “inclusion” programs improve. Welcoming individuals of all abilities, particularly those with special challenges – physical, cognitive, and behavioral – to a plant rich environment poses particular challenges to educators, therapists, and human services workers alike.
Sowing the Seeds of Wonder: Discovering the Garden in Early Childhood Education
Oct 23, Life Lab, Santa Cruz, Calif. $150
1 unit of graduate education credit from the University of the Pacific
Nov. 13 & 20 at the Chicago Botanic Garden
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $150 ($140 for Educator Members)
Grade level: K-8
CPDU credit: 15, Lane credit: 1, Graduate credit: 1
The Garden brings you the latest techniques for fostering literacy through science and science through literacy. Learn how to develop practical lesson plans that inspire kids to read, write about, and discover science and nature. We will look at some of our favorite books and learn a number of bookmaking techniques.
Dec. 4 at the Chicago Botanic Garden
Dec. 11 at the Brookfield Zoo
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Fee: $150 ($140 for Educator Members)
Grade level: PreK-12
CPDU credit: 15, Lane credit: 1, Graduate credit: 1
Why are deserts important? Why are some spreading? Why should we protect them? Join educators in the Garden’s greenhouses to explore desert plants. Then, seek out desert animals at the Brookfield Zoo. At both locations you will learn about the importance of deserts through hands-on activities that support interdisciplinary instruction.
New! Wander through Wonderland: An Evening for Educators
Dec. 8 at the Chicago Botanic Garden
5 – 7:30 p.m.
Fee: $25
Grade level: PreK-12
CPDU credit: 1 per hour, CPS Lane credit: NA, Graduate credit: NA
Enjoy wine and cheese while you wander through the greenhouses, and experience a behind-the-scenes tour of Wonderland Express and the Lenhardt Library. See what the Garden has to offer schools, students, and teachers by participating in some of our most popular programs at hands-on activity stations. New this year, we will raffle special prizes including a free guided field trip ($115 value), a Sleuthmobile tram tour for a class ($75 value), Garden Shop and Garden Café gift certificates ($20 value), and more!
From Seed to Seed: Plant Science for K-8 Educators
National Gardening Association, At-home study
Natural Teachers Network
Whether you are a Natural Teacher in schools, parks, nonprofit organizations, or government agencies, or someone who wants to learn more about the process, the Children & Nature Network invite you to join the Natural Teachers Network. By joining, you will find support for your efforts, through teacher-to-teacher connections and sharing. Additionally, C&NN plans to provide a Natural Teachers toolkit, with resources that will help you continue to act on your conviction that “nature is often the best teacher."
Michigan Recycling Coalition Recyling Cerfication Program
Register your school! MRC Certified Recyclers will stand apart from their peers as they demonstrate a commitment to make choices that conserve resources, reduce waste, recycle, and purchase green.
