the real school gardens program

We Build and Revitalize Learning Gardens

• Designed by students and teachers

• Created by community volunteers

• Tailored to each school’s unique needs

We Train Teachers

• Whole school training sessions

• On-the-job training

• Multi-School training

We Provide Support and Programming

• Ongoing programs ensure long-term success

What We Do

DESIGN & DINE• Student design competition builds

engagement and sense of ownership

• Community dinner unites staff and parents to review winning entries and discuss priorities, and roles and responsibilities

• Community-building process includes calls to volunteer, donate services etc.

• Professional Landscape architect uses input to produce tailored design

DESIGN & DINE• Staff, student and parental input used to inform final

design so that garden will produce academic results, and be well-maintained.

THE BIG DIG

• REAL School Gardens effectively and efficiently leads school through planning and execution for a fun day of service

• Hundreds of corporate volunteers work side-by-side with teachers and students’ families

• Press outreach and speaking opportunities give school leaders a chance to shine

• Parents of different backgrounds and income levels can all give back in a meaningful way

OUR LEARNING GARDENS

• Created with ease of use and effeciveness for teachers in mind

• Not simple raised veggie beds, but rich living laboratories designed to serve as a tool to help your school achieve your academic objectives

• 97% of our school gardens are still well-used and well-maintained years after their three-year partnership ended

Vegetable & Perennial Beds

Herb Gardens / Shade & Fruit Trees

Ponds

Shaded Gathering Areas & White Boards

Small Animal Habitats

Tree House / Stage

Composting & Storage

Drip Irrigation & Rainwater Collection

Art in the Garden

• 350 Contact hours of training including:

– Two on-site day-long full staff training sessions

– On the job training for teachers

– Region-wide Garden Coordinator trainings

• Teachers also receive

– Grade and subject specific outdoor lesson plans

– Expert advice for particular gardening or

teaching issues

Training Sessions

REAL RESULTS

REAL School Gardens = Effective Teachers

• The REAL School Gardens Teacher Training Program is proven to increase garden usage and teacher job satisfaction.

• 94% of educators said our program was a major contributor to increased engagement in learning.

• 90% of educators said that our program was directly connected to the state curriculum standards, and that they’d be able to use our training and lesson plans right away.

REAL Results

REAL School Gardens = Engaged Students

• 84% of students reported high levels of engagement in math and science when in a REAL school garden.

• 15% increase in test scores --Partner schools have seen standardized test score pass rates increase between 12% - 15%, with the largest gains in Science.

REAL Results

• 100 learning gardens

• 5 districts in Texas

• 3,000+ teachers trained

• 50,000 students regularly use garden

• 9,000+ volunteers

Where We Are

“The garden reaches across all subject areas.

You can use it to teach math with perimeter and areas, you can use it to teach science. You can do reading and social studies to interact with the community.

We have seen the results when children learn through hands-on activities, their overall knowledge and their test scores increase.”

Silverman Terreros3rd Grade TeacherBarbara J. Elementary

“The REAL School Gardens program makes a big difference at the district level.

I would tell anybody in any district, any principal, any administrator, any teacher, if you have the opportunity to get a REAL school garden in your school, don’t hesitate.

This will be the best enhancement to your school, to add to academics, to add to character building and to add to your teachers’ professional growth. Just apply for one and you’ll see. ”

Carla RangerDistrict 6 TrusteeDallas ISD