Museum Teaches History Through Gardening

Looking to bring WWII history to life? The National WWII Museum offers elementary school teachers the opportunity to grow Victory Gardens in their classrooms.

A popular activity during WWII, Victory Gardens were a way for people back home to get involved in war effort. The gardens also helped to augment the food supply, which was rationed during the war.This spring the National WWII Museum resurrects the Victory Garden tradition with its free web-based, age-appropriate curriculum. The Classroom Victory Garden Project teaches modern elementary students how to plant and tend their own Victory Gardens as a way to learn about home-front history.

The project is the first curriculum of its kind and will be available to teachers across the country via classroomvictorygarden.org. There, educators will have access to a free, interdisciplinary curriculum taught through gardening, including social studies, literacy, math, science and art modules.

“Millions of Americans grew Victory Gardens in their backyards during the war to supplement their food rations,” said National WWII President and CEO Gordon H. Mueller. “The Classroom Victory Garden Project provides a lively, student-friendly introduction to the World War II era and can be used to create a school-wide garden to further build on the goals of teamwork and community.”

Mueller went on to say that the project’s theme of “Growing Gardens, Growing Citizens” brings to life the connection between generations, as well as the continuing relevance of lessons learned from the World War II era.

The Web site includes printable classroom activities, interactive games, gardening videos and recipes, and a free classroom poster. The museum project also has a video conference capability, enabling students to further explore the history of the home front during World War II.

During World War II, Victory Gardens were initially overseen by the National War Garden Commission and more than three million gardens were created nationwide. At that time, Charles L. Pack, then-president of the National War Garden Commission, said, “Food waste is the enemy, food thrift the battle cry and food conservation the weapon. The call to arms is urgent and involves every household in America.”

Many Americans heeded that call to action, and by the end of the war, Victory Gardens accounted for 40 percent of total produce in the U.S., according to the National WWII Museum.

Schools participating in The Classroom Victory Garden project can work together to submit slideshows of their gardens, make recipes using what they grow, and then share their gardening experiences online.

Article by Jason Tomaszewski, EducationWorld Associate Editor
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