Tim Grant and Gail Littlejohn (editors), Greening School Grounds: Creating Habitats for Learning, Toronto: Green Teacher, 2001, ISBN 0-86571-436-3, 136 pages, 8½ " x 11", Grades K-12
Schoolyard “greening” is an excellent way to promote hands-on, interdisciplinary learning through projects that benefit schools and increase green space and biodiversity in communities. In this popular anthology from Green Teacher magazine, readers will find step-by-step instructions for numerous schoolyard projects, from tree nurseries to school composting to native plant gardens, along with ideas for enhancing learning by addressing the diverse needs of students. Among more than a dozen schoolyard habitat options presented, the guide includes detailed articles on rooftop gardens, far-north gardens, desert gardens, butterfly gardens, ponds and prairie restorations. For project planners, there are practical tips on minimizing vandalism, maximizing participation and raising funds. And for teachers, there are dozens of outdoor classroom activities and curriculum links, a bibliography of learning resources, and up-to-date listings of funders and training organizations. Greening School Grounds is a compendium of the best schoolyard greening articles and activities from Green Teacher.
“This comprehensive resource draws on expertise
from across the continent to provide all the information
you’ll need to jump into a schoolyard naturalization project
of your own. Grab the paper and pencils and start
planning!”
- Barbara McKean, Public Programs Coordinator, Royal Botanical
Gardens, Hamilton, Ontario, and author of several books on
wildlife and wildflowers.
“If you are greening a school, Greening
School Grounds is an essential
reference. It is wide ranging, readable and realistic.”
- Mary Rivkin, Associate Professor of Education, University of
Maryland, Baltimore County, and author of The Great Outdoors:
Restoring Children’s Right to Play Outside.
“Greening School Grounds prepares
teachers to take full advantage of their schoolyards by offering
advice from successful habitats for learning around North
America.”
- David Wicks, Coordinator, Center for Environmental Education,
Jefferson County Public Schools, Louisville, Kentucky and Year
2000 President, North American Association for Environmental
Education.
“A must have for any educator’s
bookshelf.”
- Cheryl Dixon, Education Coordinator of the National Wildlife
Federation, Northwest Natural Resource Center, Seattle,
Washington.
