Science

School Orchard Lesson Guide (K-8)

July 22, 2026

This guide was created to help educators integrate a school orchard into their curriculum to maximize its use as an educational tool. It includes 10 modules designed to connect with K through 6th Grade Next Generation Science Standards, but it can be linked to other areas of the curriculum if desired.

Rogue Valley Farm to School Curriculum (K-6)

February 10, 2026

28 free lessons organized by grade level (K-6) and season. Includes spring and fall curriculum loosely tied to Common Core and NGSS.

Life Lab (K-8)

February 10, 2026

Free downloadable lessons and professional development workshops for grades K-8. Experiential learning approach based on Common Core and NGSS with environmental literacy focus.

California Department of Education: Nutrition to Grow On (4-6)

February 10, 2026

Nine interdisciplinary lessons integrating garden activities with nutrition, science, and language arts. Designed for grades 4-6, aligned with California academic standards.

Science in the Learning Gardens (6-8)

February 10, 2026

NGSS-aligned curriculum for grades 6-8 focused on sustainability, climate science, and environmental justice through garden-based learning. Emphasizes problem-solving and critical thinking.

Berkeley Public Schools Garden and Cooking Program (K-8)

February 10, 2026

Year-long scope and sequence plan for TK-8 connecting academic subjects to real-world experiences. Co-taught with classroom and garden instructors. Aligned with Common Core and NGSS.

Occidental Arts and Ecology Center: A Handful of Seeds (2-6)

February 10, 2026

13 seed saving lessons integrating math, science, history, and language arts. Interdisciplinary approach for grades 2-6, aligned with California Educational Standards.

Oregon State University: Food for Thought

February 10, 2026

20 free lessons exploring food production and food-related issues like hunger, GMOs, and nutrition education. Interdisciplinary approach covering social studies, science, and language arts.

Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom (K-12)

February 10, 2026

Extensive collection of free downloadable lesson plans on agriculture, sustainability, and food systems for K-12. Includes free lending library and diverse hands-on activities. Aligned with Common Core and NGSS.

Plants to the Rescue (6-8)

February 10, 2026

Five lessons exploring plants as problem solvers for grades 6-8. Includes digital learning tools, interactive games, and hands-on activities covering plant hybrids, environmental solutions, and healthy ecosystems. Features science and ELA integration.

National Agriculture in the Classroom (K-12)

February 10, 2026

Extensive free database of standards-based lesson plans for K-12 educators using agriculture to teach science, social studies, and nutrition. Searchable by grade level, topic, and standards. Aligned with NGSS, Common Core, and National Agricultural Literacy Outcomes

FoodSpan: John Hopkins Center for a Sustainable Future (6-12)

March 6, 2025

17 comprehensive lessons for grades 6-12 using systems thinking to explore food systems topics, aligned with national standards across social studies, economics, and science.

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