10 Life Lessons From The Garden For This School Year

1. Patience. Sometimes growth is slow and takes a ton of time, attention and nurturing. Sometimes you wonder if you'll ever see the fruits of your labor... And then you do and they're delicious.

You’re going to have kids that take more of your time, attention and nurturing without seeing any results. It’s not that growth isn’t happening. It’s just that you can’t see it yet because it might be happening 'underground', just as seeds sprout and roots take hold. Once you do see that student start to blossom, you’ll be so proud of your patience!

2. Planning. Some plants grow better together. Tomatoes and basil are great companions in the garden and on your plate. Basil naturally repels insects that would bother a tomato plant. Corn should never be planted with tomatoes because there is too much competition for the nutrients in the soil.

In our neck of the woods, class sizes are exploding so it’s getting harder and harder to plan for 'companion planting'. Just like plants, some students will learn well together, and even enhance each other’s learning experience. Other students will require so much, that having them next to each other will suck all of the learning out of the room. Keep trying different configurations of "companion planting" in your classroom until you find the one that works the best!

3. Support. Some plants need more support than others to thrive. This support can be in the form of a man-made trellis, or a natural support like letting peas climb up the hardy stem of a sunflower.

We know that some of our students need more support. This might be an IEP, 504, a checklist taped to their desk, picture cues, or preferred seating. Support might mean time spent in a different learning environment, or more time spent in small groups. Support can also just be more encouragement, reminders, or gentle nudges. Not all kids grow the same, or at the same rate, or as independently and that’s ok!

4. Maintenance. Weeds can spread fast, suck the nutrients out of the ground, and block the sun which can impact the whole garden. Pull the weeds while they’re small, before they completely take over. 

Poor behaviors are like weeds. Weeds that need pulled early so they don’t take root. Take time at the beginning of the year to review and practice expectations... over and over again. Investing time in this will pay off in the long run. Don't let those weeds (poor behaviors) overrun your garden (classroom)!

5. Variety. Diversity is good. Different plants need different nutrients. Some plants even deposit the nutrients that other plants need. Crop rotation is useful because of this. The harvest is more fun too when your garden has a variety of plants.

Diversity is a good thing! Diversity in your students, in their learning styles, in your teaching methods, in the ways you celebrate, in your accommodations, in the way you group your students, and the list goes on!

6. Hard work. Things grow where your energy goes, but it’s also important to help yourself out by setting yourself up for success. Put the hose where you’ll need it. Keep your tools in good shape and store them where they’re easy to get to. Don’t make your garden tasks harder than they need to be.

Put your energy into the aspects of your classroom that need your energy. Help yourself out by building in tasks and times that your students can be growing without your direct help.

7. Remember there are reasons for each season. There’s a season to prepare, a season to plant, a season to nurture, a season to prune, a season to harvest, and a season to rest.

There are “seasons” in classrooms too. You can sometimes even feel when one is changing into another. You’ll miss some of what has passed, but know that the next season is needed for growth to continue.

8. Community. It takes a village to go from seed to harvest. The farmer, the seed, the soil, the worms, the bees, the ants, the rain, the sun, the warmth, the tools, and the list goes on.

It takes a village to raise a classroom of students too. The teacher, the students, the parents, the principal, the unified arts teachers, the intervention specialists, the custodians, the cafeteria crew, the office staff, the school nurse, the resource officer, the grounds keeper, the coaches, before/after school care, and the list goes on. Remember to lean on, appreciate and thank all of your village for helping you go from “seed to harvest” from the first day of school to the last.

9. Quiet Time. Even a garden needs time to rest.

Everyone needs a chance to recharge. A midday rest, an evening rest, a weekend rest, a holiday rest, and summer. You (and your students) might even need an unscheduled rest, and that’s ok too.

10. Nourishment. Different plants need different nutrients. Some need a good compost mixed into the soil. Others need a commercial fertilizer in scheduled increments. And some can grow through the cracks of a sidewalk. Some need lots of sun, while others need shade, or a mix in between.

It's ok that your students need different accommodations to learn. You'll have to get to know them to figure out what the right 'nourishment' looks like for each student. I can tell you this, it won't all be the same and that's the beauty of what you do as a teacher. Get to know your kids. Meet them where they are. And help them grow.

Take care of yourself, your students and your garden! You'll learn so much in the process.

We've created 10 inspirational garden themed posters you can use to brighten your classroom! Just click the image below to download.

Have a great school year!