Middle School Program and Gardens

In Project EAT's middle school program, garden-based nutrition education and California standards-based social studies curriculum are brought together. We believe that food history is an integral part of understanding culture and that experiential lessons in the garden and cooking classroom can encourage students to eat more healthily and deepen their understanding of past civilizations.

While lessons in social studies have been a starting point for engaging students in garden-based learning, we are continually partnering with teachers to offer new lessons that link healthy eating and physical activity with math, science, and language arts. 

What are our goals for each lesson?

• Deeper content knowledge
• Develop a knowledge of basic nutrition
• All learners engaged
  
• Get students to eat more fruits and vegetables

Garden programming at Ochoa Middle School is in its second year, serving students during the class day through seventh and eighth grade history classes.  Ochoa youth can also participate in the garden through after school programming, with YEP or during the fall garden club.  In the spring, there is a more intensive after school culinary program that includes field trips to restaurants and farms, as well as guest chefs and garden projects.  This year Ochoa students wrote and produced a school cookbook through their Language Arts classes, effectively raising money for end of the year activities.

Chavez Middle School is in its first year of garden programming with Project EAT.  Seventh and eighth grade social studies classes have been offered, as well as lessons in science (botany) and English Language Development.   Students can participate in garden and cooking activities after school through YEP partnered classes.  Chavez students and staff held a successful Garden Day in April, which included garden bed building, mural painting, and planting of summer crops.

If you are interested in learning more about our middle school programs, please contact Molly O’Kane at mokane@aoce.org.

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