1. San Francisco Salad Days:
Youth Urban Permaculture Project (YUPP!)
The sun is shining, now is your hayday....
CREATED BY
Casey Gold
Casey Otter Cushing
Angela Goebel
Mark McQuillen
Vanessa Roland
2. Vision & Goals
Our goal is to redesign the backyard of the Bush/Baker
Preschool with edible and sensory plant guilds, as well as
develop a general vision of an educational garden and
permaculture curricula that can be implemented elsewhere.
The vision is aimed to create a site and corresponding course
of study that encourages learning in fun and engaging ways,
appealing to children’s natural curiosity and sense of play.
The idea is to demonstrate that permaculture principles,
the design process, and its implementation are multi-dimen-
sional teaching tools that can be used in many different
types of classrooms to varying degrees of complexity. Our
concepts can be fleshed out more through customizing lesson
plans from various books. For this project we referenced
The Growing Classroom by Roberta Jaffe and Gary Appel
applying a permaculture lens to the well established content.
The ethics of Earth care/ People care/ Fair share are meant
to be interwoven into all lessons, especially through
discussions during the closing circle, as students talk about
the day’s activities and which ethics they touched on and
how. As well as supporting an attitude of stewardship,
a curriculum based on permacultural principles supports
long-term observation and the vision process as deep
values to be nurtured by education.
Please view our video to see how we began the visioning
process for the project...
3. Base Map of Existing Space
chalkboard bench with planters
city
recycling
alley
city
step
sand box compost
water table
painting wall
gate
planter box 1
planter box 4
planter box 3
planter box 2
city
trash
light breeze
entrance
W
S N
E scale: 1/2” = 1’- 0”
4. Sand Box to Turtle Bed
chalkboard bench with planters
city
recycling
alley
city
step
sand box compost
water table
painting wall
gate
planter box 1
planter box 4
planter box 3
planter box 2
city
trash
light breeze
entrance
W
S N
E scale: 1/2” = 1’- 0”
5. Turtle Bed: Salad Family
peas peas
dandelion dandelion chalkboard bench with planters
sweet violet sweet violet
city
salad: recycling
lettuce
carrots
alley
radish lettuce
onion carrots
radish city
onion
step
sand box compost
water table
painting wall
gate
planter box 1
planter box 4
planter box 3
planter box 2
city
trash
light breeze
entrance
W
S N
E scale: 1/2” = 1’- 0”
6. Turtle Bed: Coastal Scrub Family
peas peas
dandelion dandelion chalkboard bench with planters
sweet violet sweet violet
city
salad: recycling
lettuce
carrots
alley
radish lettuce
onion carrots
radish city
onion
step
sand box compost
coastal
scrub:
yellow
bush
lupine
california buckwheat yerba
sticky monkey flower buena
water table
painting wall
gate
planter box 1
planter box 4
planter box 3
planter box 2
city
trash
light breeze
entrance
W
S N
E scale: 1/2” = 1’- 0”
7. Turtle Bed: Shady Perennial Family
peas peas
dandelion dandelion chalkboard bench with planters
sweet violet sweet violet
city
salad: recycling
lettuce
carrots
alley
radish lettuce
onion carrots
radish city
onion
step
sand box compost
pepino dulce
nasturtiums
tree collard
coastal
scrub:
yellow
bush
lupine
california buckwheat yerba
sticky monkey flower buena
water table
painting wall
gate
planter box 1
planter box 4
planter box 3
planter box 2
city
trash
light breeze
entrance
W
S N
E scale: 1/2” = 1’- 0”
8. Turtle Bed: Rainbow Flower Circle
peas peas
dandelion dandelion chalkboard bench with planters
sweet violet sweet violet
city
salad: recycling
lettuce
carrots red
alley
radish lettuce
onion carrots
radish city
purple orange onion
step
flower
blue sand box yellow compost
circle
pepino dulce
nasturtiums
tree collard
coastal
green scrub:
yellow
bush
lupine
california buckwheat yerba
sticky monkey flower buena
water table
painting wall
gate
planter box 1
planter box 4
planter box 3
planter box 2
city
trash
light breeze
entrance
W
S N
E scale: 1/2” = 1’- 0”
9. Shady Climber Family
peas peas
dandelion dandelion chalkboard bench with planters
sweet violet sweet violet
city
salad: recycling
lettuce
carrots red
alley
radish lettuce
onion carrots
radish city
purple orange onion
step
flower
blue sand box yellow compost
circle
pepino dulce
nasturtiums
tree collard
coastal
green scrub:
yellow
bush
lupine
california buckwheat yerba
sticky monkey flower buena
bamboo, nasturtiums, crimson clover
water table
painting wall
gate
planter box 1
planter box 4
planter box 3
planter box 2
city
trash
light breeze
entrance
W
S N
E scale: 1/2” = 1’- 0”
10. Native Medicinal Family
peas peas
dandelion dandelion chalkboard bench with planters
sweet violet sweet violet
city
salad: recycling
lettuce
carrots red
alley
radish lettuce
onion carrots
radish city
purple orange onion
step
flower
blue sand box yellow compost
circle
pepino dulce
nasturtiums
tree collard
coastal
green scrub:
yellow
bush
lupine
california buckwheat yerba
sticky monkey flower buena
bamboo, nasturtiums, crimson clover
california poppies
water table
golden yarrow
pineapple sage
painting wall
gate
planter box 1
planter box 4
planter box 3
planter box 2
city
trash
light breeze
entrance
W
S N
E scale: 1/2” = 1’- 0”
11. Tuber Towers
peas peas
dandelion dandelion chalkboard bench with planters
sweet violet sweet violet
city
salad: recycling
lettuce
carrots red
alley
radish lettuce
onion carrots
radish city
purple orange onion
step
flower
blue sand box yellow compost
circle
pepino dulce
nasturtiums
tree collard
coastal
green scrub:
yellow
bush
lupine
california buckwheat yerba
sticky monkey flower buena
bamboo, nasturtiums, crimson clover
california poppies
water table
golden yarrow
pineapple sage
painting wall
gate
potato planter box 1
tower
planter box 4
planter box 3
hardy
yams
planter box 2
city
trash
light breeze
entrance
W
S N
E scale: 1/2” = 1’- 0”
12. Five Senses Family
peas peas
dandelion dandelion chalkboard bench with planters
sweet violet sweet violet
city
salad: recycling
lettuce
carrots red
alley
radish lettuce
onion carrots
radish city
purple orange onion
step
flower
blue sand box yellow compost
circle
pepino dulce
nasturtiums
tree collard
coastal
green scrub:
yellow
bush
lupine
california buckwheat yerba
sticky monkey flower buena
bamboo, nasturtiums, crimson clover
california poppies
water table
golden yarrow
pineapple sage
painting wall
gate
potato planter box 1
tower
planter box 4
planter box 3
hardy rainbow chard
yams peppermint
stevia planter box 2
english lavendar
chinese lantern
city
trash
light breeze
entrance
W
S N
E scale: 1/2” = 1’- 0”
13. Santa Rosa Plum Tree Family
peas peas
dandelion dandelion chalkboard bench with planters
sweet violet sweet violet
city
salad: recycling
lettuce
carrots red
alley
radish lettuce
onion carrots
radish city
purple orange onion
step
flower
blue sand box yellow compost
circle
pepino dulce
nasturtiums
tree collard
coastal
green scrub:
yellow
bush
lupine
california buckwheat yerba
sticky monkey flower buena
bamboo, nasturtiums, crimson clover
california poppies
water table
golden yarrow
pineapple sage
plum tree painting wall
nz spinach
pigeon pea
gate
potato planter box 1
tower
planter box 4
planter box 3
hardy rainbow chard
yams peppermint
stevia planter box 2
english lavendar
chinese lantern
city
trash
light breeze
entrance
W
S N
E scale: 1/2” = 1’- 0”
14. Strawberry Family
peas peas
dandelion dandelion chalkboard bench with planters
sweet violet sweet violet
city
salad: recycling
lettuce
carrots red
alley
radish lettuce
onion carrots
radish city
purple orange onion
step
flower
blue sand box yellow compost
circle
pepino dulce
nasturtiums
tree collard
coastal
green scrub:
yellow
bush
lupine
california buckwheat yerba
sticky monkey flower buena
bamboo, nasturtiums, crimson clover
california poppies
water table
golden yarrow
pineapple sage
plum tree stawberry painting wall
nz spinach borage
pigeon pea bush beans
marigolds
gate
potato planter box 1
tower
planter box 4
planter box 3
hardy rainbow chard
yams peppermint
stevia planter box 2
english lavendar
chinese lantern
city
trash
light breeze
entrance
W
S N
E scale: 1/2” = 1’- 0”
15. Pizza Family
peas peas
dandelion dandelion chalkboard bench with planters
sweet violet sweet violet
city
salad: recycling
lettuce
carrots red
alley
radish lettuce
onion carrots
radish city
purple orange onion
step
flower
blue sand box yellow compost
circle
pepino dulce
nasturtiums
tree collard
coastal
green scrub:
yellow
bush
lupine
california buckwheat yerba
sticky monkey flower buena pizza:
tomato
arugula
garlic
basil
bamboo, nasturtiums, crimson clover
california poppies
water table
golden yarrow
pineapple sage
plum tree stawberry painting wall
nz spinach borage
pigeon pea bush beans
marigolds
gate
potato planter box 1
tower
planter box 4
planter box 3
hardy rainbow chard
yams peppermint
stevia planter box 2
english lavendar
chinese lantern
city
trash
light breeze
entrance
W
S N
E scale: 1/2” = 1’- 0”
16. Scarlet Runner Family
peas peas
dandelion dandelion chalkboard
trellis bench with planters
sweet violet sweet violet
city
salad: recycling
lettuce scarlet runner,
carrots red sunflower, cucumber
alley
radish lettuce
onion carrots
radish city
purple orange onion
step
flower
blue sand box yellow compost
circle
pepino dulce
nasturtiums
tree collard
coastal
green scrub:
yellow
bush
lupine
california buckwheat yerba
sticky monkey flower buena pizza:
tomato
arugula
garlic
basil
bamboo, nasturtiums, crimson clover
california poppies
water table
golden yarrow
pineapple sage
plum tree stawberry painting wall
nz spinach borage
pigeon pea bush beans
marigolds
gate
potato planter box 1
tower
planter box 4
planter box 3
hardy rainbow chard
yams peppermint
stevia planter box 2
english lavendar
chinese lantern
city
trash
light breeze
entrance
W
S N
E scale: 1/2” = 1’- 0”
17. Three Sisters Family
peas peas
dandelion dandelion chalkboard
trellis bench with planters
sweet violet sweet violet
city
salad: recycling
lettuce scarlet runner, 3 sisters:
carrots red sunflower, cucumber corn,
alley
radish lettuce bean,
onion carrots squash
radish city
purple orange onion
step
flower
blue sand box yellow compost
circle
pepino dulce
nasturtiums
tree collard
coastal
green scrub:
yellow
bush
lupine
california buckwheat yerba
sticky monkey flower buena pizza:
tomato
arugula
garlic
basil
bamboo, nasturtiums, crimson clover
california poppies
water table
golden yarrow
pineapple sage
plum tree stawberry painting wall
nz spinach borage
pigeon pea bush beans
marigolds
gate
potato planter box 1
tower
planter box 4
planter box 3
hardy rainbow chard
yams peppermint
stevia planter box 2
english lavendar
chinese lantern
city
trash
light breeze
entrance
W
S N
E scale: 1/2” = 1’- 0”
18. Additional Design Elements
peas peas
dandelion dandelion chalkboard
trellis bench with planters
seedling table
sweet violet sweet violet planting experiments city worm
salad: recycling
lettuce 3 sisters: home
scarlet runner,
carrots red sunflower, cucumber corn,
alley
radish lettuce bean,
onion carrots squash
radish city
purple orange onion
step
flower compost water
blue sand box yellow storage
circle
pepino dulce
nasturtiums
tree collard
coastal
green scrub:
yellow
bush
lupine
california buckwheat yerba
sticky monkey flower buena pizza:
tomato
arugula
primary water source
garlic
(water catchment)
basil
bamboo, nasturtiums, crimson clover
california poppies
water table
golden yarrow
pineapple sage
plum tree stawberry painting wall
nz spinach borage
pigeon pea bush beans
marigolds
gate
potato planter box 1
tower
planter box 4
planter box 3
hardy rainbow chard
yams peppermint
stevia planter box 2
english lavendar
chinese lantern
city
trash
light breeze
entrance
W
S N
E scale: 1/2” = 1’- 0”
19. Completed Space Redesign
peas peas
dandelion dandelion trellis
seedling table
sweet violet sweet violet planting experiments city worm
salad: recycling
lettuce 3 sisters: home
scarlet runner,
carrots red sunflower, cucumber corn,
alley
radish lettuce bean,
onion carrots squash
radish city
purple orange onion
step
flower compost water
blue yellow storage
circle
pepino dulce
nasturtiums
tree collard
coastal
green scrub:
yellow
bush
lupine
california buckwheat yerba
sticky monkey flower buena pizza:
tomato
arugula
primary water source
garlic
(water catchment)
basil
bamboo, nasturtiums, crimson clover
california poppies
golden yarrow
pineapple sage
plum tree stawberry painting wall
nz spinach borage
pigeon pea bush beans
marigolds
potato
tower
hardy rainbow chard
yams peppermint
stevia
english lavendar
chinese lantern
city
trash
light breeze
entrance
W
S N
E scale: 1/2” = 1’- 0”
20. Proposed Timeline
SEPTEMBER
Send out emails to parents get material donations.
Acquire materials. Set up the worm bin
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER
Continue to acquire materials and begin work to transform
the sand box to turtle bed. Get other the boxes ready
before the rain starts. Parent and community work days.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
Plant fava beans, clover, some perennials
Set up rain catchment system
SPRING 2011
Start planting. If class decides to take the seed route, start
seeds in TP tubes and egg cartons OR sow seeds directly into
garden after first frost (i.e. February). Outdoor lessons may
begin one month later (i.e. March) as starts are maturing.
SUMMER 2011
Plant On! Observe most productive cultivars, taking into
consideration sectors such as wind, sunlight, pests, etc. Make
notes for future reference. Replace failed crops with alternative
ones- Trial, Error, and Feedback Loops the permaculture way.
Fall 2011
Let most successful yields go to seed.
Collect seeds and save for next spring (learning activity)
21. Proposed Budget
FIRST SOURCE
Ask parents for donations, utilize local community seed
libraries, recycled materials (tp, paper towel rolls, egg cartons,
used six packs for starts, yogurt containers for watering and
scooping, thrift stores for turkey basters or other measuring de-
vices) Flowercraft or Sloat donations
BUY
perennials/seeds/starts/tree
$50-$500 for plants depending on fundraising
0-$300 for soil (if not feasible to build then Whole Foods 2 for $7)
0-$250 for Containers/Wood/Materials/Tools for potato towers,
edging, planters (burlap, hardware cloth, chicken wire)
TOTAL ESTIMATE
Low: $0 with all donations and community support (esp. parents)
High: $1,500 (bake/garage/rummage sale to generate income)
Unknowns
There is a chance that the preschool will be moving, therefore our
design would not be able to be implemented in its current form.
The intention is these pieces could be implemented in similar
small, urban schools all over the city with adaptations based
on space, microclimate, and age group.
Our assessment and synthesis of the principles is intended as
a starting point for designing lesson plans and environments
for kids to learn and practice permaculture. How the curriculum
would be used depends on adaptations to the particular
circumstances, age group, and space as well.
22. 1. Observe & Interact
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”
LANGUAGE & CONCEPTS TO EMPHASIZE
• Close Examination
• Lengthy Assessment
• Activate the Senses
ACTIVITIES
1. Walk into the garden each morning of the week
What do you:
See? (Monday)- i.e.. bees, new growth
Hear? (Tuesday)- i.e. birds, traffic
Smell? (Wednesday)- i.e. flowers, compost
Feel? (Thurs.)- i.e. lambs ear, soil
Taste? (Friday)- i.e. herbs, farmers market snacks
Reconvene and Discuss, Draw or Paint Observations
Repeat every week to observe the changes
Find magic spot or tree to return to each time
2. Observe and teach feedback loops. Sample lessons:
Water coming out of faucet.
Where does it come from? Where does it go?
Why are plants different colors?
Why do some plants grow better here than others?
3. Observe plant growth stages, needs, conditions for optimal
growth (trials with water/sun/nutrients/interplanting)
CURRICULUM RESOURCE
The Growing Classroom
Unit 2: We are all scientists: Awareness & Discovery
23. 2. Catch & Store Energy
“Make hay while the sun shines”
LANGUAGE & CONCEPTS TO EMPHASIZE
• Solar, Wind, Hydro Energy
• Water/Rain Catchment
• Energy Storage & Transportation
• Active & Passive Use of Resources
ACTIVITIES
1.Create a small-scale water wheel to demonstrate water power
2. Use cob or solar oven on-site to make food
3. How do plants use the sun’s energy and water?
4. Study plant functions and parts
5. Make pinwheels to explore wind power
6. Blow bubbles to help visualize wind and its energy
7. Worm Bin: how do worms capture and store energy?
8. Seeds studies: how do seeds store energy?
9. Catch and measure rain water or water from table then
use to water garden, do dishes, or explore simple storage.
CURRICULUM RESOURCE
The Growing Classroom
Unit 4: Growing & Unit 10: Weather & Climate
24. 3. Obtain A Yield
“You Can’t Work On An Empty Stomach”
LANGUAGE & CONCEPTS TO EMPHASIZE
• Tangible Yield vs. Intangible Yield
• Immediate, Short-Term, Long Term Rewards
• Predictable vs. Unforeseen Yields
• Successive Planting, Harvesting
• EROEI (Energy Return on Energy Invested)
ACTIVITIES
1. Plant seeds, care for starts, grow & harvest food
2. Cooking & nutrition projects with harvested food
3. Seed saving
4. Explore seasonal eating and microclimates in area
5. Maximize yield through beneficials, companion planting
6. Metaphor: Class evolves through stages (Seed, Sprout,
Sapling, Tree, Flower, Fruit) as curriculum progresses.
Whole class moves on together to emphasize equality
CURRICULUM RESOURCE
The Growing Classroom
Unit 4: Growing, Unit 11: Food Choices, Unit 12: Nutrients
25. 4. Apply Self Regulation
& Accept Feedback
“The actions of our fathers are visited
on the children of the seventh generation”
LANGUAGE & CONCEPTS TO EMPHASIZE
• Constant Feedback Loop
• Slow Transition Period: 1 Week, 1 Month, 6 Months…
• Connect Personal Behavior Patterns to Global Issues
(Climate Crisis, Personal Responsibility)
• Feedback and Solutions can be Slow to Emerge
ACTIVITIES
1. Water plants in the garden: use watering tools like measuring
cup and turkey baster to regulate watering
2. Explore different watering techniques & record feedback
3. Collect waste from one week. Note abundance of food
packaging to teach action item: Wean off packaged foods
4. Listening activities to nurture intuition (i.e. listen to your body)
5. Exercises to develop communication skills and team building/
problem solving
6. Nutrition and assessing diet
7. Study Native American culture and writings about “seventh
generation” philosophy and other practices we can adopt
CURRICULUM RESOURCE
The Growing Classroom
Unit 1: Let’s Work Together: Problem Solving & Communication
Unit 6: Cycles & Changes
26. 5. Use & Value Renewable
Resources and Services
“Let nature take its course”
LANGUAGE & CONCEPTS TO EMPHASIZE
• Resources are Finite
• Abundance of Natural & Free Energy (Sun, Wind)
• Reuse & Repurpose Whenever Possible (Biodiesel, Containers)
• Four Elements: Earth, Air, Water, Fire
• Natural Resources (Top Soil)
• Soil Building
ACTIVITIES
1. Reuse yogurt containers, bottles, cans as watering cans,
measurement tools, scoop for soil, vessel to gather materials
2. Reuse Toilet Paper, Paper Towel Tubes, egg cartons to start
seeds or do crafts
3. 5 Senses Scavenger Hunt: Each child takes a toilet paper roll
on his/ her adventure, holding the tube eye or ear or mouth
for a deeper dive into the mysteries of the garden
4. Install a clothesline at school for drying soiled clothes, rags
5. Use Chalkboard vs. Paper Waste
6. Make natural dyes or paints and paper
7. Trace favorite foods back to origins to illustrate four elements
8. The $1,000,000 orange to demonstrate the high cost of food
and resources used to acquire “ordinary” foods eaten daily
CURRICULUM RESOURCE
The Growing Classroom
Unit 3: The Living Earth: Soil, Unit 4: Growing,
Unit 13: Food Systems and Consumerism
27. 6. Produce No Waste
“A stitch in time saves nine”
LANGUAGE & CONCEPTS TO EMPHASIZE
• Compost, Vermicompost, Decomposition
• Entropy
• Waste Stream
• Glean
• Biodegradeable vs. Non-biodegradeable
ACTIVITIES
1. Design and implement a mini 3-bin system to teach about
recycling & composting
2. Weigh trash and food waste each day and set goal to reduce
over time. Pull out items, discuss where they go, city landfills,
recycling, compost (collective trash per day).
Discuss alternative methods of disposal
3. Fieldtrip to Hayes Valley Farm to observe innovative ways
to tap the waste stream
4. Fieldtrip to local Farmers Market to see a utopia of
package-less foods and bringing your own bag
5. Create a worm bin to process all fruit and veggie scraps
6. Explore ways to creatively reuse and repurpose items
7. Make a compost cake or do compost bag activity
8. Study mushrooms and other decomposers
CURRICULUM RESOURCE
The Growing Classroom
Unit 6: Cycles & Changes 10: Weather & Climate
28. 7. Design from Patterns to Details
“Can’t see the forest for the trees”
LANGUAGE & CONCEPTS TO EMPHASIZE
• Patterns in Nature
• Concentric, Radial, Spiral, Turbulence, Flow, Rhizome,
Crenulation, Fractal, Surface Area to Volume, Streamline,
Gradient, Branches
• Grassroots
• Conservation of Energy/ Path of Least Resistance
ACTIVITIES
1. Design of the space based on what is already there: natural
patterns (spirals, keyholes)
2. Study of patterns: fingerprint science, leaves and flowers
(tracing/rubbing/pressing), collect examples from magazines,
drawings
3. Study how water flows in path of least resistance
4. Art in the garden: mosaics
5. Study personal patterns in space and time, make a record
6. Mimic natural forms to avoid erosion: “Day at the Races”
7. Mimic how seeds travel “Adapt-a-Seed” project
8. Sort food into categories (Flower, Fruit, Seed, Leaf etc)
9. Study Seasonal Patterns and Cycles (Water, Oxygen, Nutrient)
CURRICULUM RESOURCE
The Growing Classroom
Unit 3: The Living Earth: Soil, Unit 4: Growing,
Unit 6: Cycles & Changes
29. 8.Integrate Rather than Segregate
“Many hands make light work”
LANGUAGE & CONCEPTS TO EMPHASIZE
• Relationships
• Interdependence
• Stacking Functions: multiple use vs. multi-tasking
• Whole is greater than sum of its parts
• Natural Resources
ACTIVITIES
1. Garden/Ecosystem OR Community/School Web of Life with
yarn to show connections and interdependence
2. Emphasis on communication Skills and Team Building
3. “Eat the Earth” activity to illustrate portion of Earth able to
meet our needs and explore natural resources
4. Explore concept of Food Chain with “I Eat the Sun” activity
5. Study stacking functions versus multi-tasking/cultural mindset
6. Study tree or human body as example of stacking functions.
Can you list all of the things each does?
7. Give each child an everyday item and have them explore
alternate uses (i.e. tennis ball or a chair)
8. How do you stack functions? What functions can you do?
CURRICULUM RESOURCE
The Growing Classroom
Unit 1: Let’s Work Together: Problem Solving & Communication
Unit 7: Interdependence
30. 9. Use Small and Slow Solutions
“Slow and steady wins the race”
LANGUAGE & CONCEPTS TO EMPHASIZE
• Patience
• Small is beautiful
• Bite size pieces for projects
• Experimentation/Doing trials
• Local, Regional, National, Global
ACTIVITIES
1. Keep a worm bin (naturally need to wait for the castings
2. Make Compost, Build soil by mixing ingredients and planting
3. Water Conservation: every drop counts, small acts add up so
measure water caught
4. Germinate seeds and record varying times to sprout
5. Planting in succession to track growth
6. Do trials/variety tests in the garden to see what grows the best
7. Build root view boxes out of recycled materials (milk carton)
8. Discuss small actions that create big effects like planting one
seed or tree to produce large harvest, fruit, shade, etc
9. Explore small, local business and food versus going to super
market: “This Little Lettuce Went to Market”
10. Visit a small, local farm and possibly do a school farmstand
11. Practice Meditation & Breathing techniques to teach patience
CURRICULUM RESOURCE
The Growing Classroom
Unit 3: The Living Earth: Soil, Unit 4: Growing,
Unit 13: Food Systems and Consumerism
31. 10.Use and Value Diversity
“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”
LANGUAGE & CONCEPTS TO EMPHASIZE
• Monoculture/Polyculture: root depths, light and nutrient needs,
nitrogen fixing, dynamic accumulator, ground cover, pest
suppression, insectary, trellis, climber, wind break/shelter
• Guilds, Companion Planting, Interplanting, Perennial vs. Annual
• Balance & Competition
• Ecosystems & Biodiversity
ACTIVITIES
1. Memory game to match animals/plants/organisms/elements
with functions, ecosystems, guilds (create families)
2. Diversity log: Draw kinds of birds, butterflies, bugs they see
3. Role play:“Nothing is more competitive than a monoculture”,
when everyone/thing wants same resource creates inbalance
4. Divide class in half: ½ eats one thing for a day, the other ½ can
eat whatever they want (scientific experiments with choice)
5. Celebrate the beauty of different music, skin colors, culture,
plants, traditions, families, beliefs (Cross the Line Activity)
6. Create conditions for more life! animal/insect/spider friends
7. Study different kinds of soil: “Space Travelers” experiment
8. Study “weeds” and how they might have a purpose
CURRICULUM RESOURCE
The Growing Classroom
Unit 3: The Living Earth: Soil, Unit 7: Interdependence,
Unit 8: Garden Ecology, Unit 9: Garden Creatures